Speedometer and Tachometer are crazy?

2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
58,000 MILES • 6 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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CHUCKANDJOAN
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  • 1 POST
Both the Speedometer and Tachometer are useless.

I have discovered that by turning the ignition switch full on, then off, the dials will return - at about 5-10 mph per switching - to zero. The speedometer then sometimes will function ok for a while, but eventually goes nuts. The tachometer goes nuts right away.

I have heard that it costs anywhere from $400 to $800 to get this fixed, because it requires rebuilding the entire instrument linkage.

I have also heard that this is a major problem with GM speedometers for some vehicles; a friend with a GMC has had his replaced twice.

I really think that the speedometer is a critical safety device, and that GM should issue a recall and fix these things.

Or is there something simple?

I'll be traveling about 5000 miles in the next couple of weeks, on freeways, and it's frustrating and perhaps dangerous to do so without knowing your speed.

A friend has a 1930 Model A Ford, and the speedometer works fine, perhaps with an occasional cable change! WHY DO THESE PEOPLE CHANGE WHAT WORKS?

Chuck Josephson
May 29, 2010 at 6:43 PM
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FACTORYJACK
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If the needles habitually stick in place, in random locations, it sounds like a fault with the cluster, Here is a video of the job being done on a similar car with instructions below for your car, you can get a rebuilt cluster by search google or ebay. I looked for service bulletins, found none.

https://youtu.be/_HEC44xENxw

Check out the images (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
May 30, 2010 at 1:00 PM