To replace a malfunctioning speedometer, it'll run you an average cost of $100 to $300, with a new unit priced between $50 and $90 and labor costs of $100 to $150.

How long does it take to replace a speedometer? Speedometer replacements take anywhere from 1-2 hours, depending on what type of speedometer your vehicle uses (cable or electronic). Cable speedometers are more common in older vehicles, whereas electronic speedometers are often found in recent models.

How did we estimate these prices?
Jerry's experts researched and collected data from 2500+ real repair shops in all 50 states in the US, including everything from the total cost of repair services to the hourly labor cost for mechanic labor in each shop. We combined that data with our expert database of hundreds of real repair jobs, thousands of real cars, millions of real car part prices in order to best estimate the cost of each repair service. Our labor cost estimate is calculated by taking the average hourly labor rate for a certified mechanic in the US, times the number of hours it takes on average to complete a repair. We recommend you compare your local shops with Jerry and contact those shops directly to get final pricing for your vehicle.

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What parts do I need for my speedometer replacement and how much do those parts cost?

The parts required for a speedometer replacement will vary based on the type of vehicle you’re driving, what style of speedometer your car uses, and if there is damage to other parts.

When replacing an electronic speedometer, only speed sensors will be required. For a vehicle with a cable speedometer, only new cables will be required.

However, some speedometer replacements are more severe and need entire upgrades from cables to magnets and hairsprings.

Here’s a rundown of the estimated cost for each part:

Speedometer cable: This cable is commonly found in vehicles with a cable speedometer. It runs from the driveshaft to the instrument cluster and tracks the movement of your driveshaft. From there, it sends a signal to your dashboard gauges for accurate speed readings. These cables can range in price from $20-$60.

Speed magnet: Speed magnets are housed in a drag cup, made of non-magnetic material. As the speed wires rotate, the magnet spins to create a magnetic field that forces the cup to move in the same direction to help move the pointer. The prices differ widely depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

Hairspring: The hairspring attaches to the drag cup and holds it in place. The prices differ widely depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

Speedometer sensors: With electronic speedometers, instead of a cable, there are speed sensors attached to the transmission. These sensors work together to send signals to the electronic control unit (ECU), which translates it into data for your vehicle. Broken speed sensors can be replaced, and cost around $25-$50 each for most vehicles.

Instrument cluster: An instrument cluster (or dashboard) is equipped with several gauges and warning lights to tell you the levels, pressure, and speed of your car. To replace a faulty instrument cluster, you can expect to pay between $200-$500.

You can buy speedometer parts for your car from auto parts stores like AutoZone, NAPA Auto Parts, and Advance Auto Parts, as well as online platforms such as Amazon and eBay. Three brands we recommend for speedometer parts are ACDelco, Dorman, and VDO. Keep in mind that the exact parts and brands compatible with your vehicle will vary depending on its year, make, and model.

Should I buy OEM or aftermarket parts?

If you need a speed sensor replacement or speedometer cable replacement, it’s best to go for OEM products. While OEM parts are at a higher price point, they are designed for your specific vehicle model and are higher durability, decreasing the need to replace them more frequently while also keeping your warranty in place.

Where can I buy parts for my speedometer replacement?

Parts for a speedometer replacement can be bought at auto part shops and auto repair shops, like NAPA Auto Parts, Advanced Auto Parts, and AutoZone. Additionally, online sellers, like Amazon, sell automotive replacement speedometers. It’s always best to consult your owner’s manual to ensure that you’re purchasing the correct parts for your vehicle.

Find out what parts are recommended for my car

Where can I get my speedometer replaced?

Replacing a speedometer is necessary—and so is finding the right mechanic at the right price. This is where

Jerry's GarageGuard™

comes in. Using real hourly rates, GarageGuard™ is able to compare fair price repair estimates* from over 2,500 mechanics in the US to help streamline your car repair process.

With Jerry's GarageGuard™, you’re also able to see each auto shop's diagnostic fees, and if they’re included in your service charges, as well as real reviews. All that’s left is to book an appointment.

Review some of our vetted shops below, and download the app to compare speedometer repair costs in your area.

154 Reviews

61 Auto Center

1226 Centre Ave, Reading, PA

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$70

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (610) 370-7224

130 Reviews

Just Tires - Laguna Hills Mall

24099 Laguna Hills Mall Ste, Mission Viejo, CA

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (949) 586-7630

174 Reviews

Yoo's Auto Service & Collision

189 W Duncannon Ave, Philadelphia, PA

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$100

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (215) 457-7777

107 Reviews

Mobile Elite Auto LLC

10361 Alta Vista Rd Suite 431, Fort Worth, TX

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$99

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (817) 637-9160

How did we vet these shops?
Jerry experts researched 2500+ real repair shops across the US. We talked to real shop customers, and analyzed both real shop pricing data and thousands of real customer reviews from each shop to verify them individually. We do not partner with the shops listed above, and our analysis is always unbiased.

How will a mechanic replace my speedometer?

When you take your vehicle in for a speedometer replacement, your mechanic will determine whether you only need a new cable or sensor, or if further repairs are needed. If you need to only replace your speedometer there are two different ways your mechanic will perform this car repair.

For a car with a cable speedometer, these are the steps that’ll most likely be taken:

Lift vehicle: First, your mechanic will lift your vehicle to easily access your car’s battery system.

Disconnect battery cable: Next, your vehicle’s negative battery cable will be disconnected from the transmission to decrease the chance of electrical shock or damage.

Disconnect instrument cluster cable: This step is completed both inside and outside of your vehicle. All screws holding your instrument cluster (or dashboard) on are taken out and the cables in your car attached to it are disconnected for easy removal.

Remove cable’s firewall grommet: The firewall grommet on your vehicle is a rubber plug that fits into holes to protect your electrical wires from damage. This is also removed.

Remove the cable: Your mechanic will now remove the cable attached to your faulty speedometer and begin the transfer of any hardware or parts from the old cable to the new one and then install it.

Repeat: Once this is complete, all the steps above will be done in reverse order, and your cable will be reattached to your new speedometer.

Test: Finally, your mechanic will perform a test on your vehicle’s speedometer and conduct a test drive to ensure that all connectors and the control module and speedometer needle are working correctly.

If you have an electronic speedometer, this process will differ, and the following steps will be taken to replace your speedometer:

Locate speedometer sensor: First, your mechanic will locate your speedometer sensors in your vehicle. Once they’re located, the mounting bolts will be removed.

Remove speed sensor: Now that the mounting bolts are removed, your mechanic can disconnect your sensor(s) from the electrical connector and take them out before installing a new sensor.

Replace mounting bolt: During this service, a new mounting bolt may be necessary. If so, it will also be replaced.

Test: After your car is lowered, it will be taken for a test drive to ensure all components are working as expected.

Lastly, if your vehicle’s speedometer is off due to a faulty instrument cluster, your mechanic will replace it by doing the following:

Remove trim panels: First, your mechanic will remove the trim panels and the surrounding dashboard.

Disconnect mounting bolts and electrical connections: Next, the mounting bolts holding everything in place will be removed, along with any electrical components. This will make it easier to slide the faulty instrument cluster out.

Install new cluster: A new instrument cluster will be installed and during this step, the dash and trim panels will also be replaced.

What happens if I don’t replace my speedometer?

A faulty speedometer is dangerous for you and those around you. Since your car speedometer provides information on how fast your vehicle is operating, not fixing it when it’s malfunctioning will lead to inaccurate readings.

This can not only land you a speeding ticket for going over the speed limit, but can also put others in harm's way.

What is a speedometer?

The speedometer is a legal requirement for any vehicle and can either be electrical or cable-driven.

For cable speedometers, when you press down on your gas pedal, your wheels spin faster, causing the speed cable to turn at the same speed, along with your speed magnet. The speed magnet then creates a magnetic field that generates electricity, which goes to the speed cup (or drag cup) and pulls up the pointer for a speedometer reading. The faster the car goes, the faster this reading occurs.

In electric speedometers, magnets attach to the rotating drive shaft and pass by the speed sensors to measure how fast they’re spinning. The sensor then records the speed and sends this information to the ECU, which transforms it into data displayed on your speedometer.

When should I replace the speedometer on my car?

Speedometers typically last the lifespan of your vehicle, but if you are experiencing the following symptoms, it might be time for a speedometer replacement:

Inaccurate readings: This may be hard to discern when driving, but if you ever notice inaccurate readings due to a jiggling gauge or a stuck number on electronic speedometers, then your speedometer needs to be replaced.

Loss of cruise control: If your speedometer sensor is failing, then you will likely lose access to your cruise control feature. This is because your speed sensor is unable to send a signal to the CPU, which lets your car set the throttle for a desired speed.

Check engine light: An illuminated check engine light can signal a lot of things—one being a malfunctioning speedometer or sensor. Another light that may appear on your dashboard is the cruise control light.

Loss of power: Modern vehicles have electronic fuel injections, controlled by the onboard computers. If there is a problem with your speed sensor, then the EFI can’t get the desired amount of fuel to your vehicle, causing it to lose power.

How often should a speedometer be replaced?

With proper care, speedometers should last decades, or the lifetime of your vehicle. If you have a faulty speedometer, it’s better to have it replaced than try to repair it. By replacing it, you can ensure its longevity, versus repairing it and risking something going wrong again further down the road.

Can I replace my speedometer myself?

If you’re sure of your DIY capabilities and mechanical knowledge, you can

complete a speedometer replacement

yourself. However, it’s recommended that you visit a licensed mechanic if your speedometer fails, as it could be more than a simple replacement, such as a broken vehicle speed sensor or damaged cable.

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FAQs

How do you diagnose a speedometer problem?

If you experience inaccurate speedometer readings or a loss of cruise control, then you can assume you have a speedometer problem. But not all answers are that simple. To diagnose a speedometer problem, pop your car’s hood and check for bad wiring, jammed connectors, visible wear, or degradation.

Does the ABS sensor affect the speedometer?

Yes. If your wheel speed sensors fail, your ABS can’t function and read the speed of your wheels, thus leading to a disabled speedometer as a result of your speed sensors receiving no information.

Speedometer vs. odometer?

While both the speedometer and odometer give you information on your vehicle’s operations and levels, they have different functions. The speedometer provides information on your car’s overall speed, whereas an odometer measures the distance traveled in its lifetime (either in kilometers or miles).

Meet Our Experts

John Davis

Car Expert

Certified mechanic with 10+ years of experience

John Davis is an expert automotive writer and former automotive mechanic. John's work spans multiple categories, and he relishes the opportunity to research a new subject and expand his area of expertise and industry knowledge. To date, John has written more than 200 articles covering car maintenance and care, car advice, how-to guides, and more.

Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team, John worked as a mechanic and freelance writer, creating content for clients including HotCars and SetPower.

Jessica Barrett

Car Expert

Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit.

Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.

Kathleen Flear

Car Expert

Kathleen Flear is an expert insurance writer and editor who heads up Jerry’s editorial team as director of content. Kathleen empowers drivers to make smart car ownership decisions through best-in-class articles on insurance, loans, and maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry in 2021, Kathleen served as managing editor for a team of SEO content marketing professionals at Article-Writing.co and worked as a freelance writer and editor for a range of digital publications, including Chicago Literati magazine and Golden Words. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Queen’s University, and a master’s degree in creative writing and fiction from Sierra Nevada University.

*The price information provided on our car repair webpages is intended for general informational purposes only. Actual prices for car repair services may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to the make and model of your vehicle, the extent of repair required, and the prevailing market conditions. All prices for real repair shops are estimations based on our research only. Therefore, the prices listed on our webpages should not be considered as final quotes or binding offers.