97 2.2 CL, very good shape, leather, auto, all stock.

Previous owner mentioned one problem: speedometer needle works about 50% of time, meaning that approximately 1/2 the time that car is being driven, speedometer does not work.

That it so indeed. Important clarification: speedo needle may all of a sudden pickup or drop dead WHILE you are driving, NOT in a manner where it would either work or not with every ignition cycle. Another important clarification is that odometer, tach and other vital gauges function normal.

Previous owner also suggested that genuine dealer said the replacement motherboard for cluster is needed to repair the problem. Even had it on order from local Acura dealer.

What puzzles me is why would it be the mobo and not, for example, speed sensor, or bad connection on speed sensor/gauges/anywhere else?

Had anyone come across something like that on their 2.2/2.3/3.0/Accords?

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check the vhecile speed sensor. that sends the signal to the comp for the speedo. and it also operated EVERYTHING on an automatic tranny.,good luck haas

 

Do you know if speedometer on 1gen CL is mechanically driving or it’s driven by ECU?
Look at speed sensor and if it has cable then its mechanically driven speedometer, and if it has wires then speedometer driven by ECU. speed sensor assambly is #12 (#1 & #2) on picture below.
When it’s mechanically driven, by cable, there is possibility of bad connection between two parts of that cable.
When two parts of cable connected, speedometer works. But when they loose speedometer may work sporadically or may not work at all, depends on how loose connection is.

 

when the speedo stop working, does your car shift roughly? mine did that once last yr and it was fixed by the dealer under warranty. they said it's the speedo sensor. mine's a 97 3.0

 

Following is copy of test and replacement procedures out Haynes repair manual for 94-97 Accord.

The vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is located on the transaxle. This sensor is a permanent magnetic variable reluctance sensor that produces a pulse voltage whenever vehicle speed is over 3mph. These pulses are translated by ECU and provided for other systems for fuel and transaxle shift control.

CHECK
To check the VSS, remove the electrical connector at the sensor. Using a voltmeter, check for voltage at electrical connector (yellow wire) to the sensor. The circuit should have battery voltage available. If there is no voltage available, check for an open circuit between the VSS and the fuse box. Using an ohmmeter, check the black wire of connector for continuity to ground.
Raise the front of the vehicle and place it securely on jackstands. Block rear wheels and place the transaxle into Neutral. Connect the electrical connector to the VSS, turn ignition to ON and backprobe the VSS connector orange wire with voltmeter positive lead. Connect to the negative lead of the meter to body ground. While holding one wheel steady, rotate the other wheel by hand. The voltmeter should pulse between zero and five volts. If it doesn’t, replace the sensor.

REPLACEMENT
To remove the VSS, disconnect the electrical connector from the VSS.
Remove the retaining screws and withdraw the VSS from the transaxle.
Install is in reverse of removal.