I was just cruising yesterday and suddenly my speedometer started to act weird. The needle started to just jump to all different kinds of speed.
And after about 5 minutes check engine light came on and D4 (green gear light) started to blink. Oh yeah it was raining mildly.

I just parked the car and today when I started the car, it did the same thing.
Car seems to be not moving as well as before. Throttle seems to be heavier somewhat.
Does anyone know what may be causing it?

Only modification to my car was cold air intake. Thanks.
Please help if anyone knows..., that's my only car and I do not have any transportation at this point. Thanks in advance.

-soul

 

Did you install the intake reccently? If so, you have to reset your ecu. If it's jumping RPM's, it could be your Idle Control, or your torque convertor in your tranny. Or a sensor is going bad, try the paperclip trick to pull what code your CEL is throwing, that will give you more help. Search on here for CEL or paperclip trick, or error code.

 

I installed the intake like 20k miles ago. And would a paper clip trick work on 3.0 cl as well?
I checked for all the fuses....., it seems fine.
Right now..,
speedometer died.
tachometer works fine, but speedo is dead.
And Vtec doesn't kick in. D4 light is still blinking and I think it may even be shifting little funny. What do you guys think?
Some said it was Vehicle speed sensor or speedometer sensor.
Where can I find them?Please let me know. Thanks again in advance.
-soul

 

Could be the speedo sensor, or your alternator. Do your lights dim at all?

 

No My lights are working fine. I even disconnect the battery few times and left it out litke that for over an hour.
battery works, lights work..
I drove for a little..and I'm guessing alternator still works since my car turns on and off no problem.

where is the speedo sensor located?
Thanks again for your help.

-soul

 

what year do you have. if its a 97 then you have the sensor.. if its a 98/99 then you dont have the sensor.

 

It's 97 3.0.
Do you know where the sensor is located?
ANd is there a way to tell if the sensor is broken or malfunctioning visually?
Thanks again for your help.
-soul

 

This is just happened to my car also. but i have a 2.2l stick. if your car is not auto, then there is something wrong with the axle and the abs brakes. if it's auto then your speed sensor is burnt or damaged and it's on the back of the tranny.

 

First off, a blinking D4 means that the ECU and the TCU have configured to run in "limp" mode. Most likely your TCU has suffered a failure or there is a sensor that has failed and is leading the ECU to believe there is a problem. Have the codes pulled at your local Autozone or dealer.

Worst-case is that there is trully a problem with the Transmission. The blinking D4+CEL is a STRONG indicator that the problem is related to the tranmission either mechanically or electronically. You should have this looked at soon.

The "limp" mode means that the computer has disabled the V-Tech and changed the shift points on the TCU so that the transmission will require less torque, a limping engine will produce less than half of its ppotential.

Only 3.0s in the 1st Gen CLs have the Transmission Control Unit (TCU). In 2.X autos, the TCU is part of the Engine Control Unit (ECU).

Good luck.

 

Wow you learn something new everyday, where do you get all of your information?

That sounds like a serious problem, good luck and I hope you've already got it checked out (since it's been 3 days since the problem started)

 

the 97 3.0 is the only one with a tcu. the 98/99's have it integrated into the ecu.

 

I got it checked at this shop.
And code indicated speed sensor and Automatic transmission module.
I'm gettin the new speed sensor.., but clueless to what at module means. Anyone?
Thanks again in advance.
-soul

 

The ATCM or TCU is what tells the transmission which solenoids and servos to actuate. If this is failing, your transmission will crap out.

And yes, thanks wilp, I wasn't sure on the year. But I knew there was a slight difference in the 1st Gen. 3.0 powertrain management hardware.

 

another by their tranny
let me guess? 3.0??

 

 

Problem solved.
Speedometer sensor was the problem. I replaced it and everything is fine now. I believe the second code...which is automatic transmission control module code.... was triggered DUE to the speedometer sensor burnt out. So.., wellz..I'm ok. Tranny still STRONG!
-soul