Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Speedo swing

I have a '97 ST24. UK spec. When accelerating hard in the first four gears (manual box) the speedo decides to swing high. Most noticable is from 50 in third. The indicated speed can shoot upto 90. Settles down when you ease off the throttle. Doesn't happen (much) with gentle acceleration. Only happens when the engine is up to temperature.
I have tried to find a fault but the sender unit is fully electronic. No cable to be found, only a pair of wires. Any ideas?

Welcome aboard from abroad.

I've experienced a few incidents where my '98 speedo swings to zero then past actual speed then settling down. Simultaneously low-fuel light comes on, then goes off. I have presumed it to be bad connection in instrument guage cluster but, due to intermittent nature, have not tried to troubleshoot.
I just live with it since it's only happened three times, that I'm aware of, in 2 years.

Not much help, I know.

Thanks for your reply. I haven't noticed anything else that might suggest a faulty connection although I will investigate the wiring.
The needle has never gone low, only high.
The only advantage so far in leaving it is that I can boast of some incredible 0-60 times. ;-)
Thanks again.

guess this is a ford quirk in general...my moms 2000 taurus speedo does the same thing...on the freeway at 60 or above mph the needle will suddenly to 80 or so and then settle back down to whatever speed the car is actually doing

intermittent problem since the car was new

I have a 97 LX Standard too, and this happens to me in Snowy conditions or wet conditions. I thought it would be a short with water that causes this, but because its intermittent, I haven't determined the problem myself. Q1: Where would water cause such a problem? Most of the time when it would happen it would be when excelerating in highway conditions. It does go away, but it will haunt you, during wet conditions. Also I still have a leak in the trunk. I think it has to be the seal thats around the trunk. Or the window seal, one or both or the other. Anyways, other topic.

I hope more people give their details, because this must happen to others. The speedo should stop or work correctly, it shouldn't jump or drop intermittently.
Later
Fred