Speedometer problem fix

First of all I want to thank everyone who posted their responses to my earlier request on how to solve my erratic speedometer issue.

Like most people with a speedometer problem, I have tried most of the suggestions but with no luck. I have worked with the wiring diagram from front to back, disconnecting and re-connecting as many joints that I could find - I have also used expensive silver grease to try and eliminate the fault at the connections.
I had limited success, but nothing permanant. Whenever the speedo stopped, I could get it going again by sitching the HRW on and off quickly - this always worked, even the blower motor would do it, but it wouldn't cure it.
Then I stumbled on tapping the binnacle cover above the multi plug locations on the circuit board on the speedo unit. I noticed that this would also start the speedo going, but not always.
I removed the binnacle cover and examined the plugs, there are two of them, a horizontal one with about 6 wires and a vertical one with about 4 wires( you know the ones!!) and decided to have a closer look at them. I had removed them previously as David G had suggested that this would be the problem, but again with only limited success. This time I removed each of the cables from the respective plugs, make sure you do it one at a time!! The ends are designed to tension and trip the respective pins, but the material is soft and can easilly become loose. By carefully readjusting each connection the grip of the plug is much more secure. It was obvious as soon as I refitted the plugs that there was a definite problem previously. I also used some foam to cushion the looms that attach the plugs to prevent them from moving about, with the weight of the spiral wrap on the wire loom, it is no surprise that the plugs move during normal driving over bumps etc.eventually reducing the tension on the connections.
The vertical plug ( the back one, which connects directly to the speedo) is more prone than the horizontal one.
Since I have made these adjustments, everything has been back to normal.( I have probably just put the kiss of death on it??)

Try it. It has removed countless frustrating hours trying to find the problem, which I was convinced that it was an electronic fault!!

Good Luck!!!!!

I'm sure I've posted somewhere previously I fixed my speedo problem by doing a sinilar thing! Apologies if I haven't, but I'm sure I did in reply to a previous post somewhere.

Basically, as I believe you're also saying, the multi plugs to the speedo behind the dash were too loose and not making good contact. I removed each wire from the plug one at a time - you will see, as you found, each wire has a tiny spade like connector on the end which clips into the plastic plug - I then used a tiny jewelers screw driver which i pushed down the back of the spade connector to push it slightly closed and make it a tighter fit. I did this to each spade connector in turn, refitted the plug and so far it's been good since.

I might try your idea of cushioning the loom too, so maybe they wont rattle about and eventually work loose again.

Again, apologies if I hadn't mentioned this before. I really thought I had. Maybe I didn't explain it very well.

where are the connecters again? are they in those things under me steering wheel or do i have to unscrew the speedo unit bit

If you remove the RHS air vent you can see the multi plug on the RHS of the circuit board for the clocks. If you're nimble enough you can try getting your fingers in the hole after removing the air vent and pushing on the plug to make sure it's on tight. Sometimes this will get your speedo working properly again if the plug was loose. Might not last though.

Otherwise, if i remember correctly, you have to remove the plastic dash binnacle around the clocks to get better access to the plugs behind the dash, and I think this also means removing the upper and lower plastic steering column surround and steering wheel. Watch you dont break any of the fragile plastic. Especially at the points where the dash is clipped and screwed together or you will have a dash with lots more squeeks and rattles afterwards!

Any ideas on how to remove any existing squeaks and rattles?

Any ideas on how to remove any existing squeaks and rattles?

take one a day cod liver oil capsules mate, that should sort your joints out

What about clicks and cracks?!

As regards the squeeks and rattles on my car, pressing harder on the loud pedal, or if I'm feeling sedate, turning the stereo up usually works!

What do you think the free ear plugs Renault handed out at Donnington were for?

cheers for advice....might give it a go tomorrow..i think i'd regard squeeky dash as a result....look out for posts asking how to repair mangled interiors soon.....anyways, ignoring the dodgy internet aspect, i recently signed up for this...might be worth a punt

http://www.pipelinecard.org

http://www.renaultalpineownersclub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1394&highlight=pipelinecard

so did I, ages ago, and they are still having problems.