Speedometer stopped 560SEL odometer OK
 

Hi,

It seems that I am not the only one who has had this problem, searching looking at previous posts, but I found not one solution to the problem, so I am starting a thread in the hopes that someone might have an answer.

Here is the issue: On my 1989 560 SEL the speedometer became flaky last night. At first the needle would not move at all, then it would start working again, but be very sluggish in the 20 - 30 mph range (fine above). Then today when I started the car again to move it the gauge remained dead at 0 again. Odometer is working, as are all other gauges.

I have seen several posts with "speedometer stopped, odomoeter OK", but no conclusive answers. But I am sure someone out there has one, and not just one, besides sending the entire unit in for repair....

Thanks for any help!

If it's a mechanical hookup, it's a bad gear, but I don't believe yours is mechanical.

Call Palo-Alto speedometer (google them). They can fix yours. That or buy a used one and swap it out.

You can also get a used one, have it's milage set to match yours by them (plus a few to account for usag) and then swap it quickly when the time (milage) comes.

Thx -CTH

Thanks
 

So the main news is I have to "outsource" the fix....

W126s have an electronic speedometer. I'd surmise there's a cold solder joint on the motor that drives the speedo's needle. If it were my car I would remove the cluster, take it apart, and look for bad solder joints.

-Jason

Agreed. I think that's what I will do first.

I called Palo Alto - they suspect it would be a couple of hundred bucks for them to fix it, so I will try the DYI first and see if it's something simple like a bad solder joint.

Thanks!