So i got t a 96 EX with 170k on it last night, and the speedometer randomly just drops to 0 for a short period, also when shifting into 2nd it grinds unless i Let off the gas and push in the clutch "just right" any idea what could be causing these?? Is this posted in the right place?

 

If it were me, I would reseat the connector for the speed sensor. It could be any of a number of things involved with the speedometer and to do any troubleshooting, you'd need a manual to help isolate the problem. The fact that it's not a hard failure could make this difficult. The speed sensor itself is over $100, so throwing parts at it is expensive. Is the check engine light on? Got any codes?

Regarding the issue with second gear, it might be the synchro. Second gear sees a lot of shifts, both up and down. Try giving the tranny some fresh fluid. That may not fix the problem if the synchro is really worn, but it may help make the shifting smoother. Does the clutch feel soft at all?

 

Does the check engine light turn on while this happens when driving?

 

And it wouldn't hurt to check/change the fluid in the trans,

 

just in case you don't have owners manual I recall from my '93 MT Owners Manual that
5 spd tranny fluid was spec'd as 10W-40 or 20W-40 motor oil. (not the usual 80W-90 gear oil)

So I put in 15W-40 ('truck') oil. Worked fine. still does for son.
don't know if '96 is the same or not.

 

No CEL. and the Speedo will stop as well as the Odometer, then they come back on together, and Should i use Honda MTF?? The clutch feels soft, I need to get my other cars out of my garage so i can do all the usual to get it up to standard, all fluids, filters, plugs, and a general inspection, it came from the east coast so Ive heard the salt will tear up the car bad, I dont see any rust, but I noticed the motor mounts are slop, when I go over bumps, Im going to do the rear main, and clutch assembly in a couple weeks. Might as well do the brakes all the way around to, What should i look for on the speed sensor? Should i take the trans out when I do the clutch and open it for inspection?? Thank you

 

The speed sensor is an electrical item that is on the top of the trans. You can test it to see if it is sending the signal. In the mean time, if the cruise works?

Try setting the cruise control when the speedo/odo act up? If the cruise works when the speedo does not, you have an issue with the speedo unit...most of the time the issue is with the PCB.

 

PCB? The Control board i prosume? Ive read that a few places? Any way to pull it and resolder the connections? Or just replace? If im pulling the board i am def going to hit up the DIY section for the colored light MOD for the dash lights I am considering doing some simply and clean JDM styl mods to this car, nothing major but I like the clean modified look of this GEN, Ill test the cruise when the speedo fails here in a little bit.BTW I changed the oil, filter and added some Lucas additive and now it smells like its burning oil.. I didnt see a drop of oil that had leaked, litterally zero leaks.. but the oil pan gasket may be weaping so i am going to try to set those to 8lbs as per spec and see it the weaping stops.

 

Well the cruise worked after the speedo failed.. So not sure where to go from here? Any help is much appreciated!

 

The problem is likely on the printed circuit board (PCB) for the speedometer, or where the speedometer board makes contact with the cluster board.

Try repairing any solder joints that look bad on the PCB of the speedometer.