Speedometer problem

Hello,

'97 LeSabre has speedometer problem. Sometimes it does not indicate speed
and odometers don't work. I banged on the panel just below the speedometer and it came back on. Anyone have insight into this?? And how do I get to the instrument cluster. I have no shop manual for this car.

Thanks in advance,
Jack C.

To get to the speedometer, the plastic trim must come off the dash. Some of the pieces snap off and there are screws that need to come out as well for other sections. The vents must be popped out and there are screws inside that must come out. Be careful when removing the vents to ensure not to break them. They kind of pry out.

There are screws that hold the speedometer assembly in place. It is an enclosed part of the gauge cluster. I replaced the one in my 97 with a salvaged unit. I had a similar problem, although my odometer always worked fine; the speedometer jumped up and down and would read 50 mph at idle. Another thing to check is the vehicle speed sensor; however, it sounds like you have a bad connection if you hit it and it started working.

If you remove the speedometer cluster, the "drive" indicator that attaches to the shifter is tricky. It must be reattached at the right spot (mark it). It is kind of difficult to reach.