C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Speedometer needle bouncing all over the place.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 10, 2011 | 02:20 PM
  #1  
Shinobi'sZ's Avatar
Shinobi'sZ
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Default Speedometer needle bouncing all over the place.

This problem has continued to get worse. It started with the needle dropping to 0 mph when I would get below 30 mph, and it wouldn't register until I got above 30 mph, but once above 30 mph it would read correctly. Now it is just bouncing all over trying to find the correct speed.

My after market NAV system displays the correct MPH, so I know that it is picking up the signal from the VSS wire coming out of the PCM.

I have replaced the VSS sensor in the differential already and it did not help.

Does anybody know if there is a stepper motor in the analog gauge cluster? The needle is bouncing around like the old style mechanical speedos when they would start going bad.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2011 | 03:38 PM
  #2  
k0ts's Avatar
k0ts
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 951
Likes: 2
From: Rochester MN
Default

I'd begin by reading out the diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) from your instrument cluster.

Here is a link as how to do that.. You may find your problem from the codes...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-problems.html
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2011 | 03:46 PM
  #3  
Shinobi'sZ's Avatar
Shinobi'sZ
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Default

Originally Posted by k0ts
I'd begin by reading out the diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) from your instrument cluster.

Here is a link as how to do that.. You may find your problem from the codes...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...-problems.html
Sorry should have mentioned that there are no codes either.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2011 | 06:23 PM
  #4  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Recommend removing the entire cluster and do a disassemble ad inspect. You may fins a poor connection or a cold solder joint. Heres a post that may help you:

- C5 Gage Cluster disassembly - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...post1570380674


If a simple tear down and reassembly doesn't fix it,, you will need a new one..

Last edited by Bill Curlee; Dec 10, 2011 at 06:28 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2011 | 11:12 AM
  #5  
Shinobi'sZ's Avatar
Shinobi'sZ
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Default

Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Recommend removing the entire cluster and do a disassemble ad inspect. You may fins a poor connection or a cold solder joint. Heres a post that may help you:

- C5 Gage Cluster disassembly - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...post1570380674


If a simple tear down and reassembly doesn't fix it,, you will need a new one..
Thanks Bill, I noticed a few online GM Speedo repair places. I wonder if it would be worth it to send to them for repairs vs buying another used one?
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2011 | 11:19 AM
  #6  
Shinobi'sZ's Avatar
Shinobi'sZ
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Default

Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Recommend removing the entire cluster and do a disassemble ad inspect. You may fins a poor connection or a cold solder joint. Heres a post that may help you:

- C5 Gage Cluster disassembly - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...post1570380674


If a simple tear down and reassembly doesn't fix it,, you will need a new one..
Update. I removed the wire from my NAV unit that was tapping into the VSS wire at the PCM connector. Now my Speedo works fine. I don't know if the wire that was tapping into the PCM was picking up the signal between the VSS and PCM connector, or if it was the wire between the PCM and the Speedo?

How can I tap into the VSS and not affect the signal to the Speedo?

Thanks
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 10:55 AM
  #7  
Shinobi'sZ's Avatar
Shinobi'sZ
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Default

Bill Dearborn or Curlee...any ideas on how to keep the NAV unit VSS wire from interfering with the speedo signal?
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 12:52 PM
  #8  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,458
Likes: 1,165
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by Shinobi'sZ
Update. I removed the wire from my NAV unit that was tapping into the VSS wire at the PCM connector. Now my Speedo works fine. I don't know if the wire that was tapping into the PCM was picking up the signal between the VSS and PCM connector, or if it was the wire between the PCM and the Speedo?

How can I tap into the VSS and not affect the signal to the Speedo?

Thanks
Hmmm. A GPS NAV unit should be able to display MPH without any VSS input whatsoever. Unless something has changed, the VSS input is only used to disable functions while the car is in motion.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 01:44 PM
  #9  
Shinobi'sZ's Avatar
Shinobi'sZ
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Default

Originally Posted by lucky131969
Hmmm. A GPS NAV unit should be able to display MPH without any VSS input whatsoever. Unless something has changed, the VSS input is only used to disable functions while the car is in motion.
Not in this case, I have had this unit for about 5-6 years now. The particular NAV that I have needs a VSS connection. It is a JVC model. I have hadd it hooked up and it works great and displays the correct mph on the NAV, but it effects the signal under 30 mph on the speedo...and one time it didn't matter what mph I was going the speedo needle was bouncing.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 01:51 PM
  #10  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,458
Likes: 1,165
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by Shinobi'sZ
Not in this case, I have had this unit for about 5-6 years now. The particular NAV that I have needs a VSS connection. It is a JVC model. I have hadd it hooked up and it works great and displays the correct mph on the NAV, but it effects the signal under 30 mph on the speedo...and one time it didn't matter what mph I was going the speedo needle was bouncing.
I would have to read the owners manual/wiring diagram to believe it. NAV units calculate speed based on position(from SATs), not from a VSS sensor. Not all VSS sensors are the same(with regard to ouput) from vehicle to vehicle.......so the unit would have to be capable of adapting to ANY VSS from any vehicle manufacturer. What is the model? Also, are you saying with the VSS input disconnected, the NAV does not display MPH, or the NAV does not function?
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 02:05 PM
  #11  
Shinobi'sZ's Avatar
Shinobi'sZ
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Default

Originally Posted by lucky131969
I would have to read the owners manual/wiring diagram to believe it. NAV units calculate speed based on position(from SATs), not from a VSS sensor. Not all VSS sensors are the same(with regard to ouput) from vehicle to vehicle.......so the unit would have to be capable of adapting to ANY VSS from any vehicle manufacturer. What is the model? Also, are you saying with the VSS input disconnected, the NAV does not display MPH, or the NAV does not function?
The NAV neither functions nor does it read the MPH because the VSS is not hooked up per the owners manual. When I turn the NAV on it is stuck at the the place it was working last..which is my garage where I disconeected the wire from it that I had connected to the VSS at the PCM conector.

It is the NX5000 and the user manual clearly states to hook up to the vehicle's speed signal. I can't attach the PDF Install Manual. But if you go to JVC USA under Archive Car AV and search NX5000, download the Install PDF and go to table C and you can see it for yourself.

http://support.jvc.com/consumer/prod...1&archive=true

Last edited by Shinobi'sZ; Dec 28, 2011 at 02:17 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 02:11 PM
  #12  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,458
Likes: 1,165
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by Shinobi'sZ
The NAV neither functions nor does it read the MPH because the VSS is not hooked up per the owners manual. When I turn the NAV on it is stuck at the the place it was working last..which is my garage where I disconeected the wire from it that I had connected to the VSS at the PCM conector.
That's what I thought. So, what is the model number of the unit?
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 02:21 PM
  #13  
Shinobi'sZ's Avatar
Shinobi'sZ
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Default

Originally Posted by lucky131969
That's what I thought. So, what is the model number of the unit?
I had it hooked up the VSS wire at the PCM, I didn't want the audio shop digging around in my PCM, so I told them that I would install it after they told be it needed to be hooked up to the vehicle's speed sensor, what I see in this install manual is to hook up the vehicle's speedometer signal.....

The VSS feeds the PCM and then the PCM sends a signal to the analog Speedo right? Maybe it needs to be hooked up to that wire and not the VSS wire coming from the sensor to the PCM.

Do you know which wire goes from the PCM to the Speedo?

Thanks for getting me to read the manual...I just took it from the Audio place that it needed to be hooked up to the Vehicle's Speed Sensor..which to me was the VSS.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 02:34 PM
  #14  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,458
Likes: 1,165
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by Shinobi'sZ
I had it hooked up the VSS wire at the PCM, I didn't want the audio shop digging around in my PCM, so I told them that I would install it after they told be it needed to be hooked up to the vehicle's speed sensor, what I see in this install manual is to hook up the vehicle's speedometer signal.....

The VSS feeds the PCM and then the PCM sends a signal to the analog Speedo right? Maybe it needs to be hooked up to that wire and not the VSS wire coming from the sensor to the PCM.

Do you know which wire goes from the PCM to the Speedo?

Thanks for getting me to read the manual...I just took it from the Audio place that it needed to be hooked up to the Vehicle's Speed Sensor..which to me was the VSS.

Let's start here. What wire (color and pin position) at the PCM connector was the NAV VSS wire spliced into?
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 02:58 PM
  #15  
Shinobi'sZ's Avatar
Shinobi'sZ
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Default

Originally Posted by lucky131969
Let's start here. What wire (color and pin position) at the PCM connector was the NAV VSS wire spliced into?
I don't recall the number, maybe 255? It is Pink (ish) at the connector.

Maybe I need to pull the DIC and just plug it into the Speedo wire?
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 03:11 PM
  #16  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,458
Likes: 1,165
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by Shinobi'sZ
I don't recall the number, maybe 255? It is Pink (ish) at the connector.

Maybe I need to pull the DIC and just plug it into the Speedo wire?
The connector pin locations do not go up to 255. There is one input, and one output for VSS on PCM connector C2:


1) VSS input to the PCM, yellow wire, pin 21
2) VSS output from PCM to IPC, dark green/white stripe wire, pin 50

My guess is, you had it tapped into the dark green/white stripe wire. For whatever reason, the speedo does not like it. I would be more inclined to tap into the VSS input TO the PCM (yellow wire). In any case, I cannot help further, if you cannot provide exact info.

FWIW, I did some reading on the JVC NAV units. One of the biggest complaints, was the NAV was rendered nonfunctional without a VSS signal.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 03:58 PM
  #17  
Shinobi'sZ's Avatar
Shinobi'sZ
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Default

Originally Posted by lucky131969
The connector pin locations do not go up to 255. There is one input, and one output for VSS on PCM connector C2:


1) VSS input to the PCM, yellow wire, pin 21
2) VSS output from PCM to IPC, dark green/white stripe wire, pin 50

My guess is, you had it tapped into the dark green/white stripe wire. For whatever reason, the speedo does not like it. I would be more inclined to tap into the VSS input TO the PCM (yellow wire). In any case, I cannot help further, if you cannot provide exact info.

FWIW, I did some reading on the JVC NAV units. One of the biggest complaints, was the NAV was rendered nonfunctional without a VSS signal.
Actually you jogged my memory it was the yellow wire that I had it tapped into.

Let's assume that the signal noise was interfering with the input to the PCM and thus why the speedo would only work above 30 mph...except for that one time the speedo needle was bouncing all over the place no matter the mph, I couldn't reproduce that error again, it went back to falling off at under 30 mph and not registering until above 30 mph.

Is the dark green/white stripe wire going into the connector at the back of the Speedo (DIC)? If so I would rather try and hook it up there.

Also are you referencing teh PCM Connector and wiring for a 2001. I think they were changed at some point in the model years (?).

Thanks for ID'ing the pinouts and wire colors.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Speedometer needle bouncing all over the place.

Old Dec 28, 2011 | 05:20 PM
  #18  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,458
Likes: 1,165
From: Dyer, IN
Default

Originally Posted by Shinobi'sZ
Actually you jogged my memory it was the yellow wire that I had it tapped into.

Let's assume that the signal noise was interfering with the input to the PCM and thus why the speedo would only work above 30 mph...except for that one time the speedo needle was bouncing all over the place no matter the mph, I couldn't reproduce that error again, it went back to falling off at under 30 mph and not registering until above 30 mph.
Not sure what the PCM does to the signal, before sending it to the IPC.


Originally Posted by Shinobi'sZ
Is the dark green/white stripe wire going into the connector at the back of the Speedo (DIC)? If so I would rather try and hook it up there.
Yes, but this would be unnecessary work, considering you already have a wire run to the PCM...so you would only need tap into the Green/white wire there.

Originally Posted by Shinobi'sZ
Also are you referencing teh PCM Connector and wiring for a 2001. I think they were changed at some point in the model years (?).
Yes, but you should not take my word for it.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...m-pin-out.html
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2011 | 05:23 PM
  #19  
lucky131969's Avatar
lucky131969
Tech Contributor
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,458
Likes: 1,165
From: Dyer, IN
Default

...and the schematic
Attached Images  
Reply
Old Dec 29, 2011 | 11:04 AM
  #20  
Shinobi'sZ's Avatar
Shinobi'sZ
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,976
Likes: 527
From: Clouds Over California
Default

Originally Posted by lucky131969
Not sure what the PCM does to the signal, before sending it to the IPC.




Yes, but this would be unnecessary work, considering you already have a wire run to the PCM...so you would only need tap into the Green/white wire there.


Yes, but you should not take my word for it.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...m-pin-out.html
Great link Luck...I just subscribed to that thread and downloaded the PDF of the Pinout chart. I am embarassed to say that after working on this car for 10 years that I don't have a Service Manual..the reason I don't is because there are people like you on this forum.

I will fiddle around with it again and see if I can get it to work, otherwise I either will have to deal with it, by the JVC Pulse Generator, or get a new NAV unit that doesn't need a VSS to work...most likely in this order. lol

Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:44 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE