Speed Sensor Functionality:
The speed sensor in a vehicle is responsible for measuring the rotational speed of the wheels or driveshaft. It generates an electrical signal proportional to the vehicle's speed and sends it to the speedometer and odometer.
Impact on Speedometer:
If the speed sensor fails or malfunctions, the speedometer may provide inaccurate readings or stop working altogether. This is because the speedometer relies on the speed sensor's input to calculate and display the vehicle's speed. A faulty speed sensor can cause the speedometer to show a higher or lower speed than the actual vehicle speed.
In your case, it causes to show a faster speed.
Impact on Odometer:
The odometer in a vehicle measures the total distance traveled. It accumulates the distance based on the speed sensor's input. If the speed sensor fails or malfunctions, the odometer stops recording the distance accurately, or in other words, it may not work at all.
Again, the faulty speed sensor is the reason here. Since it provides inaccurate speed information, the odometer cannot calculate and display the accurate distance traveled correctly.
While a faulty speed sensor is a potential cause of the issues you described in your 1997 Acura CL, it's essential to have a proper diagnosis performed by a qualified mechanic or technician. There could be other underlying problems related to electrical connections, the instrument cluster, or other components within the vehicle's speed measurement system. Therefore, a thorough inspection and diagnosis are recommended to identify the exact cause and find the appropriate solution.
