hello, I have a 94 Honda Civic Dx with an Ex gauge cluster. My RPM gauge goes crazy when I accelerate and jumps around when I am driving. I also hear a noise that sounds like ticking or something coming from under the dash that is in sync with the needle... Any help? Also, the Speedo will work intermittently. It will work correctly when I start up sometimes, sometimes it will stay dead. While Im driving around, it goes from dead to working continously. Sometimes, it stays dead for 30 min. The dummy CEL comes on after 20~25 min of driving. I have been playing around and I am now thinking it has to do with tranny... I hope not. Its getting annoying... Thanks guys!

 

The tach problem is possibly a bad igniter unit in the distributor. First check whether the blue wire attached to the igniter is loose or corroded.

The speedo problem together with the CEL may indicate a bad VSS. Start by pulling the CEL code as detailed at the link in my signature.

 

Thanks for the advice. I tried the green wire. Nothing from there. The CEL light has been coming on for a while now, even when I had the original dash installed. However, this last few days have uncovered a new problem: the car has a hard time starting. It will not idle. It either dies immediately, or I have to press on the gas to keep it going. I think its the O2 sensor. When I stop at lights or stopsigns, it works fine. Idles nice and right under 1000 RPMs. Also, the Tach gauge still goes nuts. I hear more and more noise coming from the engine compartment when it does, though. It sounds like rattling or something. Doesnt make me feel good...

 

The rattling sound is the tach itself, The motor that controls the needle is moving fast and causing the noise. Try driving the car with the cluster unplugged and see if it still does it.

 

Pull the CEL code!

The new starting and idling problems combined with the crazy tach may indicate a faulty igniter unit in the distributor. Remove the unit and have it tested at your local auto parts store.

 

I have pulled the codes. first is 15= Ignition Output Signal, Second is 41= Primary O2 sensor heater, third is 43= Fuel Supply System. It sounds nice and fun. I don't like what I see, but I guess its better than nothing.

 

CEL code 15 pretty much solidifies a problem with the igniter unit. Replace it or at least have it tested at your local auto parts store.

The extended misfiring due to a bad igniter may have destroyed the O2 sensor. Replacing it will likely solve both of the remaining CEL codes.

When all is fixed, you should see much better performance and mileage.

 

Okay. Where is the O2 sensor?
I have a parts car where I am attempting to pull the stubborn Igniter out right now... I hope this fixes it. I HOPE....lol Thanks a lot, guys. I really hope we're all right.

 

It is screwed into the header. Follow the wire to it.

 

When the speedo stops working, does the odometer also fail at the same time?