I see there was a recent post, mine stopped working, but odometer is working and all other guages working. Any ideas or conclusions from the last post on this problem?
Speedometer Busted
- Thread starter Fuelman
- Start date
fordgt6
GT Owner
I was one of the guys who did a number of posts on the problem. I bought a complete Ford VCM computer set up. I got a new gauge from my selling dealer. When i tested them the first time they both seemed bad BUT I traced the wire loom several times and on the third time i used surgeon's loops. I found the female socket in the plug that goes to the gauge module was not fully seated. It was the one connected to the orange/red wire. After I pressed it in, I retested both gauges again. The original was still bad but the new one was ok.Hooked it up and all is well now. First start with the other easy steps listed in previous posts. Charge battery, clean posts. Clean ground (mine was painted). Do you have a dealer you can count on? If you'd like PM me and I'll give you my number. I'm glad I bought the computer because I can diagnose a lot with it. I thought i eas looking at a new GEM but it wasn't the case.
GTJIMMY
Permanent Vacation
Do yourself a favor and call Rich at The GT GUYS in MI. They are the experts. Look into the Forum's past and see some of the comments by all of the satisfied customers. Rich and Dennis are the best in the world,,,,hands down!:rofl
NJF
GT Owner
Ok, so it looks like my day has come with my first gauge failure. Yesterday I started my GT, and had no speedo. Drove the car several miles, stopped and turned it off a couple of times, and still no luck. I took the car back out today, and still no speedo. I have spent the day reading many posts on gauge failures, and specifically speedo failures. What is the current state of affairs on gauges? Go with Speedhut? Check with Autometer to see if they are making a revised and better speedometer that is not prone to failure? My car is a 2006, with 3,800 miles on it. When not being driven, it is always on a battery tender. Looking for the current recommendations. Thanks!
Ouch sorry to hear that NJF. I'm just waiting for the day that mine decide to crap out too. Did you happen to check your ground wire from the negative battery terminal to the frame? Sometimes that has been cited as the culprit but this sounds more like the gauge itself.
My understanding is that Autometer is making new and improved versions of all the gauges EXCEPT the Speedometer (strange, I know) so your choices are 1) either go with an original Autometer replacement for $$$ running the risk that one day it, too, will crap out on you or 2) replace the whole suite with Speedhut which I'm hearing good things about for less $$. I guess you have option #3 also...to leave the Speedometer functionless but that would look pretty lame in a beautiful supercar like the GT
If I'm wrong about any of this, please someone correct me!
My understanding is that Autometer is making new and improved versions of all the gauges EXCEPT the Speedometer (strange, I know) so your choices are 1) either go with an original Autometer replacement for $$$ running the risk that one day it, too, will crap out on you or 2) replace the whole suite with Speedhut which I'm hearing good things about for less $$. I guess you have option #3 also...to leave the Speedometer functionless but that would look pretty lame in a beautiful supercar like the GT
If I'm wrong about any of this, please someone correct me!
twobjshelbys
GT Owner
Right now your only choices for the large gauges - speedo and tach - are either to get a Ford replacement (and run the risk that it will fail again) or get the Speedhut replacement. Autometer sells the small gauges for $225 each.
Xcentric
GT Owner
Before you buy a new gauge, check the sending unit in the transaxle. If it's bad, it's about $20 and five minutes to replace. Mine went bad, although the symptom was a wildly swinging needle rather than sudden death.
Another time, my tach and temp gauge were both dead on startup. That turned out to be the battery ground cable at the frame. Zero cost and one minute to fix.
Another time, my tach and temp gauge were both dead on startup. That turned out to be the battery ground cable at the frame. Zero cost and one minute to fix.
NJF
GT Owner
Thanks for the input. My plan of attack is going to be to first check the ground wire, then test the battery, from there I will move on to the sending unit, and lastly change to a Speedhut speedometer. Is there any reaso why you must change out all gauges for the Speedhut upgrade, or can just the speedo be changed?
twobjshelbys
GT Owner
OP - Unfortunately given your description, it is a failed speedometer. VERY unlikely to be a bad ground, etc
As others have said, you can get "new" gauges directly from Autometer for all of the small gauges but not for the tach or speedo. But you DO have another alternative. We are just starting a repair service for the Tachs and Speedos. This involves replacing all of the internals (not with the OEM Autometer electroncis) but maintaining the same housing, glass, needle and face. We would like to get to a point where we can do these on an exchange basis - we'll send you a "fixed" one and you send us the bad one. Right now we need a bad speedo donor - if anyone has one, please let us know. Our first repaired tach is shipping out this week to an owner who can validate our approach.
As others have said, you can get "new" gauges directly from Autometer for all of the small gauges but not for the tach or speedo. But you DO have another alternative. We are just starting a repair service for the Tachs and Speedos. This involves replacing all of the internals (not with the OEM Autometer electroncis) but maintaining the same housing, glass, needle and face. We would like to get to a point where we can do these on an exchange basis - we'll send you a "fixed" one and you send us the bad one. Right now we need a bad speedo donor - if anyone has one, please let us know. Our first repaired tach is shipping out this week to an owner who can validate our approach.
33Bravo
GT Owner
OP - Unfortunately given your description, it is a failed speedometer. VERY unlikely to be a bad ground, etc
As others have said, you can get "new" gauges directly from Autometer for all of the small gauges but not for the tach or speedo. But you DO have another alternative. We are just starting a repair service for the Tachs and Speedos. This involves replacing all of the internals (not with the OEM Autometer electroncis) but maintaining the same housing, glass, needle and face. We would like to get to a point where we can do these on an exchange basis - we'll send you a "fixed" one and you send us the bad one. Right now we need a bad speedo donor - if anyone has one, please let us know. Our first repaired tach is shipping out this week to an owner who can validate bour approach.
Now that is cool! Nicely done for a much needed service! Has the original weak link been identified? What are the new internals?
Thanks Kendall!
nautoncall
GT Owner
- Apr 6, 2014
- 1,093
Wow Kendall!! That’s great. I like the look of the OEM better myself.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
NJF
GT Owner
This is great news since today, I redid the ground, and pulled the battery to have it tested. Battery and ground are not the culprit. My next step was going to be to replace the sending unit, however with this new bit of news I would like to try having you guys rebuild the speedo. I am willing to send mine in for the rebuild and wait until you can send it back, however I don't know if I have the "mad skills" necessary to be pulling the speedo. I will take a look at my manual tomorrow to see if I am up to the task. I thought about taking it to Heffner in Sarasota to let them pull it, but that is 2 hours north of me.
spartan
GT Owner
OP - Unfortunately given your description, it is a failed speedometer. VERY unlikely to be a bad ground, etc
As others have said, you can get "new" gauges directly from Autometer for all of the small gauges but not for the tach or speedo. But you DO have another alternative. We are just starting a repair service for the Tachs and Speedos. This involves replacing all of the internals (not with the OEM Autometer electroncis) but maintaining the same housing, glass, needle and face. We would like to get to a point where we can do these on an exchange basis - we'll send you a "fixed" one and you send us the bad one. Right now we need a bad speedo donor - if anyone has one, please let us know. Our first repaired tach is shipping out this week to an owner who can validate our approach.
I have a bad tach. How much to repair? Ill send it to you as soon as you provide a cost to repair.