I caught my speedo needle "flickering" today...and making a noise one would expect to hear from a flickering speedo...

It was "simply" sort of bouncing up and down...not high enough to how it would look if the vehicle was moving, but just enough to be noticeable.

I thought for a moment ( OH NO - A DREADED ELECTRICAL PROBLEM!!! ), and then decided to hit the key remote (fob?) to lock and then unlock the doors, and presto - the flickering was done.

In trying to think exactly what could have caused this, the only thing I could think of was earlier in the day, upon squatting-down to pick something up off of the floor, I heard a strange buzzing noise from my pocket...'oh, my key again', I thought (I occasionally bump the buttons inadvertently and it will lock/unlock the doors).

Am I going crazy, or could the two be related??

 

The flickering of the speedo has happened to several people and apparently it is nornal. It happens to me occassionally when I open the door.

 

Thanks for the reply.

Well I'm slightly relieved to know I'm not alone with this, however "normal" is not exactly the word that comes to my mind.

This is not something that I think does the charging/electrical system any favors.

Would anyone be willing to further elaborate on this "common" or "typical" occurrence - and perhaps what the problem is and/or what the solution may be please?

If I can fix it I would like to fix it, and save my battery the strain.

Thanks again, and in advance...

 

If it was at start up the problem maybe a weak battery. If its not at startup your the first I have read about it happening to.

 

Its happened to me once since owning my '03 that I bought in September. I opened up the door and the speedometer starting flickering and then when I closed the door it stopped. I opened the door again and nothing happened so I didn't worry about it anymore.

 

this may be of help ...
I have posted this before in related random elect issues.

The entire system goes throug a "check" mode every time you put the key in and turn it.

If you jump in and VERY quickly turn the ke the system will not check and OK every system.\
This has bee the culpret of sun roofs not opening, GPS not working, AC not working, windows not working ... hope that shows the point.

If you want PROOF .. check this out ...

put your key in the ign and turn it to on NOT start ...
look at your fuel gauge and the lowest indicator will be red not orange (just as if you were low on gas) when the system checks the fuel sustem thet light will change to orange.

this is one of the 100s of checks that the system does.

any of theses issues are self correcting with 1 to 3 ign cycles.

as a habit just get in and turn you ign on ... maybe then buckle up or actually look at your lights and gauges ...then ... start her up.

 

I've noticed that my speedo needle flickers when my key is in the ignition, car turned off and passenger side door open.

But I was told the ghost of Lucas continues to exist and my car's quirks may not be the same as yours. (ha ha ha)

 

The wires may be low on smoke...

If you don't get it, don't worry, if you do, your welcome...

 

Sorry, I can't provide any more than that. (I know---not satisfying! ) It has happened intermittently over the past six years without any problems. My battery is still fine.

Strange thing is, my speedo sometimes goes through the motions when just opening the door to get in.