1998 Dodge Neon Speedometer

SHANTYSMILES

MEMBER
1998 DODGE NEON
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
173,000 MILES

I had my front drivers side tire removed four days ago to have a valve stem replaced and tonight my speedometer began to malfunction. First it would only show a speed when I began to brake then it would quit working. I parked my car to do an erand and when I began to drive again it appeared to be properly working. Until I went over a bump then it went to zero. When I go over any form of bump it will begin to register a speed and when I hit another bump it will go back to zero.

Is there a connection that may have been disturbed when my drivers side front tire was removed? Or is this perhaps a more complex issue?

1 Reply

SAMMY1957

MEMBER
1 POST

The problem is broken solder connections on the instrument panel circuit board. Now here's how to fix it: Lift up & remove dash pad/gauge cluster trim. Remove 4 phillips screws to remove gauge cluster. Turn gauge cluster over, remove 6 T15 Torx screws, & remove black paper. Remove 5 more T15 screws for the circuit board & 4 T15 screws at the wiring harness connectors. Disconnect the gray odometer cable; just push in the little pin and slide it out. After all the screws are out, gently lift up on the circuit board; you may need to lift up on one side at a time. BE VERY CAREFUL! After you remove the circuit board, flip it over (you will see the dash lights). There are two areas with 10 soldered pins (two rows of 5 pins) & a black dot above & below it. If you look at these pins closely, you may see the broken solder. Apply heat from a soldering iron to these pins; you shouldn't have to add more solder, but you may. As it heats, the old solder will become shiny & melt. Remove heat. This should be enough to repair those connections. Look at the solered pin; if you see a crack in the solder around the pin, heat it up again & apply a small amount of solder. After you reheat/resolder those pins, let it cool. Then reassemble the gauge cluster. It sounds tougher than it really is. Just be gentle & work carefully. You'll be fine, & your gauges will work again.