Speedometer not working when cold

[w124can]

I have a 1995 E420, the speedometer will not work when it is cold outside for the first 5-8 miles. Is this likely an issue with the speedometer or the sensor? It is out about 5 mph in addition ( I read the thread on this on the forum) wondering if the two are related. Thanks for any help

 

[Karmann_20v]

Hi all, bringing up this thread rather than creating a new one. My car (93 400E) has developed a similar issue lately, the speedometer (and odometer) are dead for the first few kms of a trip, then all of a sudden the speedo needle comes to life and works perfectly for the remainder of the journey (whether 2 km, or 200 km). I didn't notice this behavior in the summer, so I am thinking that just like the OP it may have something to do with cooler ambient temperature, or a component that needs warming up before working properly. I was told by a retired Benz shop foreman that it could be the electric motor in the speedo assembly that is getting tired, could this be it?

OP, did you solve your issue and what was it???

Cheers!

 

[w124can]

No, never got it fixed. Colder weather is here again and the problem has resurfaced again. No suggestions were given on the forum to this point

 

[Karmann_20v]

Where about are you located?

 

[Joncf]

I experienced a similar issue a few years back, although just the odometer wouldn’t operate in cold weather until warmed up. The speedometer always worked. The cause ended up being a leaking capacitor, on the main board I believe. The repair was done by a specialized shop that only does instrument cluster repairs, and even they had trouble finding the problem. To be honest, I probably never would have found it myself.

 

[Karmann_20v]

Thanks, that makes sense and a bad cap is probably the culprit here as well (different than #Joncf s), when my speedometer is not working the odo is also down. Cruise works fine all the time, so it's not the sender on the transmission.