2003 Subaru Outback speedodemeter stoped working

Tiny
TALL PAUL UC
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • 177,000 MILES
Got in my 2003 Subaru outback this mourning and started to drive when I noticed that the speedo and odometer was not working and im getting er sp on the odometer screen I checked wires and harnesses behind cluster everything was tight what else could cause this? Could it be a speed sensor or what I did a ton of research on this and can not find the proper cause
Friday, October 25th, 2013 AT 12:06 PM

19 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
It could be a speed sensor we would have to first have the computer scanned for codes. It might need a professional scan tool to scan all the computers. You can first have the auto parts store scan for codes and see what come ups. Please give me exact code numbers not code descriptions?
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Friday, October 25th, 2013 AT 12:32 PM
Tiny
TALL PAUL UC
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Ran a dts scan come up nada, but has ersp in odometer speedodmeter. It worked great yesterday no indication that there was trouble. As I said there is no codes at all.
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Friday, October 25th, 2013 AT 1:03 PM
Tiny
TALL PAUL UC
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Do you think, as im sure you have seen something like this before it could be spedo. Heab? There are are some thread indicate this scenero, what you think?
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Friday, October 25th, 2013 AT 1:30 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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DTS scan?Are you using a scan tool that can read all the computers in your car?There is no replace this fix first thing is making sure there is no code in the computers that will lead to a trouble tree.
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Friday, October 25th, 2013 AT 2:10 PM
Tiny
TALL PAUL UC
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  • 45 POSTS
Saturntech9, I am using tyhe same scan tool auto zone use if I took it to them as you said to do. So far since I started using it has scaned trans. Brakes, and motor related problems. A z is local parts store. It is an actron scanner.I checked Subaru forum an didn't get any help.
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Saturday, October 26th, 2013 AT 8:23 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Which model do you have that scanned brakes?Also I said start with the auto parts scan tool and you might need a professional scan to read all the computers. Can you read live data like vechile speed?That would really narrow things to know the speed sensor was giving readings too the computer. What's bad for diyers is the newer cars need advanced Nprofessional scan tools to work on them a lot of the times. Not diyer scan tools they sell or use at the auto parts stores.
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Saturday, October 26th, 2013 AT 8:38 AM
Tiny
TALL PAUL UC
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  • 45 POSTS
Sorry about the brake scan errow, it scanned the r. Hub sensor. On another vehicle. At this point I hooked it up to check speed and the speedometer started to work, went on test drive unplugged scanner and speed odemeter stopped working again. Did this twice speedo. Worked fine with scan tool hooked up. Beats me. In real time every thing shows good on scanner.
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Saturday, October 26th, 2013 AT 9:49 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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It sounds like a ground issue since it works with the scan tool plugged in. What size engine do you have?
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Saturday, October 26th, 2013 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
TALL PAUL UC
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The motor is a 3.5
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Monday, October 28th, 2013 AT 7:29 AM
Tiny
TALL PAUL UC
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Where do you think the bad ground would be and the scanner is telling me that theres a PID but it wont read do you think that has any thing to do with it
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Monday, October 28th, 2013 AT 7:32 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Do you mean a 3.0L engine? So you have a code you can't read?In history or current code?I am trying to find the wire diagram to try to figure out where the problem is.
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Monday, October 28th, 2013 AT 12:16 PM
Tiny
TALL PAUL UC
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Sorry about that, s. Tec is 3.0. When I scanned last it read pid detected but will not respond to scanner. This is basic, as to response from scan tool. Does not read mfg. Code.
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Monday, October 28th, 2013 AT 1:56 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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That's typical of the basic scan tools forgot to ask traction control or no traction control?
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Monday, October 28th, 2013 AT 2:30 PM
Tiny
TALL PAUL UC
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Its all wheel drive and does indicate traction control in dash with button depressed
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2013 AT 7:35 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Check the two grounds shown in the diagram I posted make sure they have 2 ohms or less to ground on all ends of the wires.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2013 AT 5:07 PM
Tiny
TALL PAUL UC
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  • 45 POSTS
STEC9, GOT A BETTER SCANNER THAT PULLED UP THE HIDDEN PID. INDICATED PROBLEM WITH PIN ARE WIRES IN SPEEDO HEAD. MOVED PINS AROUND, AND IT WORKED A COUPLE BLOCKS.I GUESS MAYBE THE HEAD?
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Saturday, November 2nd, 2013 AT 12:31 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Sounds like a loose terminal at the instrument cluster connector.
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Saturday, November 2nd, 2013 AT 1:59 PM
Tiny
TALL PAUL UC
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  • 45 POSTS
Saturn tech9, tried to get back to you before but internet lost me for 3 days.I wont to thank you for all the time and help. The #@$%%%$$## ground from factory, on battery was cracked. I had cleaned it and replaced battery a couple wks ago. It must have broke and I did not know it, felt tight. Its worked for a week, fingures crossed, so far.
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Friday, November 15th, 2013 AT 1:03 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome glad I could help.
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Friday, November 15th, 2013 AT 2:57 PM

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