Fixing A Speedometer on A 1996-00 Honda Civic 

Man that's rough but I think I have an idea of some things to check. 1. make sure your speed sensor is for your manual transmission. (I know this is self explanatory but when I was starting out I used a manual speed sensor on an auto and it didn't work right until I got one that was from an automatic.) 2. There was a Honda service bulletin in 2000 (#99-029) that was about a part of the engine wire harness rubbing on the intake manifold bracket. This applied to all Civic models 1996-1999. You may want to check out the harness, there could be some wiring in the harness that runs from the speed sensor plug that's shorting out somewhere or a break in wire. The other day while prepping my 2000 EX for transmission removal I had an option connector that vibrated and tucked itsself off behind the rear engine bracket. It was stuck and took me a while to find a way to get it out. Had to take the bracket off. I have no idea how it made its way in there. I would think that your issue would be in the harness somewhere. Also check your grounds as well. Keep me posted and I'll try to help as much as I can.

Also make sure the ground on the thermostat housing isn't messed up or corroded. I've seen that one cause alot of issues.

@@foxisretrofitting4556 so my engine has been swapped with a jdm b18c out of a Civic SiR. I'm assuming they used the original engine harness. It does look a bit old. I've been avoiding taking the whole harness out but I may have too. I checked and cleaned thermostat ground. And also know for sure the speed sensor is for a manual transmission. However I replaced it with an O'Reilly's part. Maybe I'll have to break down and buy a factory honda one? But there like 300 dollars roughly.

@@lafollettegarage4019 Believe it or not I've had good luck with ebay sensors. I get alot of stuff from tomautoparts. The sensor for our '98 automatic b4ra (78410-S04-951) is 8 dollars from them and it's been going since I put it in in early 2019. May want to check their store page and see if they have a sensor for your transmission. I'd break down and check the harness first. No need to throw money at it yet considering if it is actually wiring it could harm your new sensors.

@@foxisretrofitting4556 just giving you an update on my Speedometer issue. I ended up tearing out the entire engine wire harness and I stripped all the loom off and inspected every square inch of it. And I found two capped off plugs (1 blue and 1 gray) that sit right under the intake manifold. Their sole purpose is to junction and distribute power and grounds within the loom. I unplugged the gray caps off and found a bunch of corrosion. So I cut those plugs off and wired the matching colored wires together and then tucked them away inside the harness. I installed the loom to test it out the next day and my speedometer worked flawlessly. 💪 now I'm debating on ordering a Rywire tuck harness because my stock one is still kinda a rats nest. 🐀

That's very good to know. Sounds like I know what chemical to pick up and where to spray to maintain these now. Thanks man!

I just did mine today. Hopefully it will keep working. I think honestly is one of the best cars ever built. Easy to work on. The most basic controls and comfort. Although, I have had to use a curb as railing to be able to get out of it. It's like drivin a gokart! Lol

No problem :D Let me know if you ever need help or have questions.

That is awesome. I'll have to try that next time. Thank you!

No problem man. This is one of those little mechanical issues that's just going to get worse and the best way to tackle it is to spread information about how to fix and tackle the problem. I was talking to one fella about how he was trying to figure out how to refurbish or make entirely new replacement parts for the weaknesses in these clusters.

A bit easier in a way. You just remove the clear cover and black trim from the front of the cluster. Then you remove the needles on the gauges (comments have said using 2 spoons across from each other is an easier way to remove them) Last remove the little screws on the faces of the gauges to switch them out. You can throw it back together without breaking down the back of the gauges. Hope this helps! Good luck and let me know if you have any difficulties.

Absolutely. If you can find another one that's in good shape without issues and don't mind the odometer being a different mileage it will work perfectly fine.

That means alot, thank you. If you figure out any tips or tricks on fixing various components in the gauges let me know so I can practice as well. You've got alot of neat stuff on your channel I'm interested in. Subbed!

@@foxisretrofitting4556 , love your stuff also. I will sub and I am rooting for your channel to gain more subs.

@@foxisretrofitting4556 , where are you located?

Would love to collaborate with you at some point. When in your area.

@@MotionDesignStudio That would be awesome!

Yes, it should be the same speedometer motor since its the same wiring/application for that generation of Civic. 97-01 CRV clusters hookup the same as well so it wouldn't be a far stretch to assume those crv motors may be the same as well.

You can change most of the lights from the back. I assume you're talking about the block behind the fuel level and temp gauge side? I unfortunately don't have one in front of me right the second to be accurate but if it does come off it will be with little cast plastic clips around its parameter and possibly with a screw. If not then you may have to take that gauge out.

Did you found a way to remove it?

@@robertovalerio7810 nope

I haven't had a DC2 Integra cluster apart before but I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same motor because I've seen people online take EG & EJ civics and repin the speedometer wiring harness to fit the whole integra cluster. I'd give it a shot and see if the motor works. My guess would be that it works the same.

After doing some research I believe with an EK3 you definitely can use 1995-1998 EK3 Clusters. 1996-2000 Japanese and Australian clusters would work as well these models would be EK3, EK4, EK9, and EM1. You could use an Automatic or Manual Cluster as well. I haven't had a EK3 in front of me or I'd have more ideas. Thank you for commenting, I hope this helps!

Yes absolutely. That code would indicate a bad speed sensor on the top rear of the transmission. When you replace it make sure you get one that matches your transmission. (automatic or manual) A cheap Junkyard, Ebay, or Rockauto one will work.

Mine came with the gauge I bought from my local junkyard. If you need a needle you can pull it off of other Honda models or even replace it with universal Ebay ones if you don't have access to a junkyard.

It can take a couple tries to get the needle on in the correct spot. You have to line it up carefully and depending on your luck you may have to put the needle on with the ignition on and the back of the gauges hooked up. If you are using a different size tire or rims other than the stock steel ones it can have an effect too. This gauge in the video read correctly when I put it back in but now that we are running alloy rims on it it reads slightly higher. About 3-5 mph. Although I'd rather it read higher than lower and cause an unnecessary speeding ticket. I could correct that but I don't want to risk damaging anything since these are fragile and it doesn't really bother me so I just let it ride.

It just means it got faster.

I did that with the '98 Civic shown in the video previous to shooting the video. That's why I wound up swapping speedometer motors. It wasn't a bad speed sensor causing no/intermediate reading it was a bad speedometer motor. HOWEVER Speed sensors can go bad without being chewed up. I had one on a 94 Accord Sedan go bad with no noticeable physical defects. Did the same a couple years ago on the 2000 Civic that is also featured on our channel. Also I did not spend this "220 dollars" on a cluster. I went to my local pick and pull and grabbed up a speedometer gauge itsself (not the whole cluster) for 4.99. A whole cluster would've cost me 35 at the same junkyard.