What are the symptoms of an odometer sensor malfunction?

[OTanner]

The symptoms of an odometer sensor malfunction are that the pointer of the car's odometer does not move, and the mileage does not increase. The speedometer can be divided into three types: purely mechanical, mechanical-electronic, and purely electronic. Here are the specific details: 1. Purely Mechanical: In a purely mechanical speedometer, the flexible shaft rotates at high speeds. Due to the hysteresis of its movement and the limitations imposed by the alternating stress limit of the steel wire, high-speed driving often causes the steel wire flexible shaft to fatigue and break, leading to the failure of the odometer function. As a result, purely mechanical odometers are gradually being phased out of the market. 2. Mechanical-Electronic: Compared to purely mechanical speedometers, the mechanical-electronic speedometer primarily replaces the flexible shaft with a sensor, overcoming the drawbacks of the mechanical speedometer such as pointer oscillation and the tendency of the flexible shaft to break. The transmitted photoelectric or magnetoelectric pulse signals are processed by the internal computer of the instrument and then displayed. 3. Purely Electronic: The purely electronic speedometer eliminates the error between the actual speed ratio and the theoretical speed ratio of the odometer's driving and driven gears, thus reducing the discrepancy between the vehicle's speed and mileage. Therefore, the readings of the purely electronic speedometer are more accurate than the previous two types. Additionally, the reduction in interacting transmission components lowers both the failure rate and cost, making it widely used in the domestic bus industry.

[KeiraMarie]

I once had a malfunctioning speedometer sensor while driving. The typical symptoms were the speedometer needle suddenly stopping or jumping erratically at a certain position, and the odometer numbers also stopped updating, which left me confused about how fast the car was going. At the same time, the dashboard would illuminate yellow warning lights, such as the ABS light or the engine fault light. If the sensor is connected to the anti-lock braking system, the fault could lead to unstable braking and increased risk. Another detail is that the automatic transmission might shift roughly because the ECU relies on the sensor to determine speed for regulation. My experience is that long-term neglect can escalate the problem, such as oxidation of the sensor connector or broken wires, making the car harder to drive. I recommend that if you notice these signs, don’t attempt to fix it yourself—take it to a repair shop as soon as possible for diagnosis and replacement. After all, safety comes first, and driving without an accurate speed reading is dangerous.

[Young]

After my car's odometer sensor malfunctioned, symptoms included inaccurate or completely non-functional speed display, sudden freezing of the mileage count, and occasional abnormal flickering of the dashboard during startup or turns. The illuminated ABS warning light on the instrument panel is a clear alarm, affecting the anti-lock braking function, requiring extra caution when driving in the rain. The sensor is installed near the wheels, and water accumulation or dirt entering the connector can interrupt the signal, eventually damaging the circuit over time. Ignoring it can lead to increased fuel consumption because the ECU relies on speed data to adjust fuel injection, and it may also cause cruise control failure. I make it a habit to avoid direct high-pressure water jet cleaning on the wheel hubs during car washes to reduce malfunctions. Early detection and repair are cost-effective, with sensor replacement costing just a few hundred yuan—don't delay until major repairs are needed.

[JuliannaFitz]

Symptoms of a faulty odometer sensor include a malfunctioning speedometer that fails to display numbers or jumps erratically, the mileage counter stopping, and warning lights such as the ABS illuminating on the dashboard. This sensor monitors tire rotation speed, and abnormal signals can affect automatic transmission shift timing or cruise control systems. When I modified my wheels, I encountered a failure that sent incorrect data to the computer, triggering an annoying engine code. Common causes include impact damage, loose connectors, aging, or broken wires, which are usually easy to repair but should not be overlooked for driving safety. Regularly inspect the sensor's position and keep it clean to prevent issues and avoid risks like impaired visibility during night driving.