The speedometer seems to read ok up to about 40 mph then anything after that it reads 45 mph. There have been times when I looked and saw it reading 90 to 100 mph when I am sure I wasn't going more than 60. Sometimes it will read zero while I am going around 30 mph.

Could someone steer me in a direction that will get this fixed?
What is the most likely part that needs replaced?
How easy is the fix? Something I can handle or is a mechanic needed?
Any mechanic or a Volvo dealer mechanic.
Any pictures or drawings available because my Chilton book is seriously lacking.

 

The speedo capacitors are bad, need to be changed. Speedo shop can do it, general mechanic no. DIY is possible but rarely successful. 1991-2 are the worst years.

 

What qualifies as a speedo shop?
Are they listed as such in the yellow pages?
Any idea of a price range for the capacitor replacement?

 

Speedometer repair is a specialty, general mechanic shop won't do. I'd expect to pay over $100.

 

Try to just find a replacement. It's not easy, but you can roll the odometer. My speedo was being flaky along with some other gauge issues (Not working under ~10, sometimes not working at all until I tapped the glass.) so I just got a gauge cluster out of a junkyard '92, rolled the odo by hand, and shoved it into my '86 and it works perfectly.

 

Problem is, 91,92 are the only interchangeable ones, and used ones are a crapshoot. I have 3 '92s, I have been all over the place with them...

 

As I am looking into it more, it does seem there is a narrow replaceability. Plus I am dubious about buying a used one because it might be rotten as well. Are the capacitors cheap? I would be willing to try the repair myself if so. Is there a chance I could ruin it beyond repair? There don't seem to be any speedometer repair shops in my area so I need to look for one that does it by mail. Any suggestions here?

 

The capacitors are cheap but it takes micro electronic soldering skills.

 

Send me a private message about the speedometer.

 

I was doing some checking into getting a used cluster. Thinking that I could swap the clusters. If the "new" used on is having the same issues, I would send the original out for repairs.

While searching, I saw a reference to making sure there was nothing wrong with the speed sensor(?). Where is this located and how do I check its functionality?

 

Speed sensor is at the rear end, at the differential, and unless the wires are damaged the sensor itself never has problems...

 

So, I should locate the sensor and back track the wire checking for damage?

 

Agreed.

I noticed that the wire coating on my sensor was damaged for about 2ft worth. So I cut the bad sections out and soldered/heatshrunk new sections in. Solved my bouncy speedo needle issue.

 

I sent you an IM about this.

Chris