'96 Sauturn SL1 Speedometer Erratic

[smatt]

Have had very few problems with this vehicle. Recently, the speedometer has
begun to act up. While driving, it will swing anywhere between 0 and Max.
Sometimes it will read the correct speed only to begin bouncing all over the
dial. Nothing seemed to precede this activity, just began acting up one
day. Everything else appears to be working OK.

Thanks, Matt

 

[Jonnie Santos]

Mine (97sl2) did that with a bad battery - actually it bounced from 0 to
about the speed I was traveling (75 mph or so)...

 

[Joseph Goodwin]

Have had very few problems with this vehicle. Recently, the
speedometer has begun to act up. While driving, it will swing anywhere
between 0 and Max. Sometimes it will read the correct speed only to
begin bouncing all over the dial. Nothing seemed to precede this
activity, just began acting up one day. Everything else appears to be
working OK.

Check your battery and alternator. Last time this happened to me, my
alternator was undercharging (but the warning light never came on) and my
battery began to drain. My speedometer was the first thing to go, followed
in seconds by the other instruments, radio, and fan.