Seems like a common problem judging by the search results but has anyone come up with a solution, here are the symptons.

Sometimes doesnt work at all.
Then jumps into life or sticks at 120mph.
Or needle sticks "behind" the pin at the zero end.

Thanx

 

bump

 

Had a job in over the last few days:

Needle sticking, needle jumping, and a few other symptoms as you mentioned.

Clock Set: Behind the clock set is where the final cable goes in and makes the dial spin, this has a collar on it and can easily become detached, make sure it is located properly and locked in position

Engine Bay: Cable coming from speedo attaches to mid cable that then attaches to another cable leading to the gearbox: This can become dislodged and check that both ends are firmly placed home and the bottom end the clip is in place and the rubber cover pulled down over it.

Too much jiggery pokery here can lead to the speedo cable dislodging behing the clocks!!! You have been warned

Gear Box: There is a cable coming from here that is directly spun by the gearbox. These can get broken (possibly from stones) and smashed thus preventing the function of the things (this is what we replaced)

The above is for a mechanical system.....ie early cars

 

Thanks for that

Would you know if any of those fixes would still be valid for a MY98 UK?

Appreciate any help on this.

 

Hi m8 ive replied to your email.
It looks like the first digital clocks Subaru used (my97>98) are faulty
Quite a few people with 97's or 98's have had problems.
The Speedo is just like an electrical motor and I think the bushes in them go.
I found that pulling the needel back and forward (cairfully) cleans up the bushes and all is OK ...for a while.
Also try cleaning all the connections on the back of the clocks.

Andy

 

Cheers Andy, i read your email and have replied. Looks like a new/used speedo is in order. Having said that, a used one could have the same common fault by the sound of it :-(

Do speedo from later models fit MY97/98 and if so do they have the same problem?

 

As far as i can tell its only 97 and 98 cars that have had this problem.
My car is a 98, Ive thought about getting the clock set to the correct milage i just need to find a place to do it
Ive had this problem for about a year and just keep doing my little "fix" on it .
What i realy need is for it to pack up good and proper and then I may do some thing about it

Andy

 

Im going to get my electrical genius mate to look at it and see if he has any bright ideas. Failing that, like you, ill probably live with it until it dies completely.

Do you find high speed brings it back from the dead?