How To: Reset a Busted Speedometer After Jump-Starting or Replacing a Vehicle's Battery

Reset a Busted Speedometer After Jump-Starting or Replacing a Vehicle's Battery

In the past, most mechanics ended up having to replace the speedometer head when a vehicle came in with a broken speedometer. Nowadays, there's a possible reset procedure that can be used, and it can be done by most car owners right at home.

A common problem for this malfunction is when the car owner recently replaced the battery, or perhaps jump-stared their vehicle, which in both cases could have caused an electrical spike that made the speedometer go berserk.

See the simple reset solution in the video below, demonstrated on a 2002 Chrysler Sebring. Other make and models may have a similar solution.

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Speedometer image via Shutterstock

5 Comments

My mom has a 2001 Chrysler Town and Country and I borrowed it for the night for a drive in movie. I had to have the car jumped and I found that my speedometer wasn't working. I thought I had broken something and that it would be expensive to fix, but instead I didn't have to pay a single penny! It was so easy! I'm glad I looked online first before I brought it into a shop! Now my parents don't even have to know it was broken in the first place haha! Thank you so much, it really was extremely easy! It took some playing around with when to put in the key, but other than that, very simple!

I watched your video after my Grand Voyager speedo packed up following a dead battery. I followed your advice to the letter and amazingly cured itself. Sincere respect and thanks to you guys. Phil

i have a dodge minivan 03 and my speedo aint working unless i am doing 70mph and it says 15mph how do i fix it

I have 2001 voltswagon beetle the speedomenter works some times and sometimes it don't 2.0

My speedometer stopped working after my battery in my Chevy colbolt was reconnected. I had to jump my car in order yo get the trunk open. When I hot the car started and begin driving, I noticed my speedometer was not working. Any ideas how to get it working without going to a mechanic?

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