Hi Folks,
My 2008 Outlook XE has recently developed an intermittent problem with the speedometer. Occasionally, it will start ticking upward (sometimes stopping at a higher speed than I'm traveling, other times ticking up all the way 'til it's pegged) even though I am moving at a constant speed (verified by my GPS's speedometer). The cruise control always indicates the correct speed. If I pull over & turn off the car, the needle will partially reset toward 0. If I repeatedly cycle the key from OFF to AUX, it will eventually get back down to 0. Once it's back to 0, I can start the car & the speedometer will be fine...until the next time it happens. Dealer says no diagnostic codes & cannot reproduce (since intermittent). Any ideas?

TIA,
-brawk

 

Sounds like perhaps you have a faulty output speed sensor. BUT, I'm not a mechanic. Get some other advice before jumping on that. Here's a link to Autozone with pictures of both the input and output sensors. autozone.com/autozone/parts/2008-Saturn-Outlook-2WD/Vehicle-Transmission-Speed-Sensor/_/N-js69tZ9gsum?filterByKeyWord=output+speed+sensor&fr omString=search

 

Could be either the output speed sensor, or possibly the electronics package for the speedometer itself. Need more information

 

Just to add some user experience with electrical components on 2008 Outlook XR (with trailer tow package)
1. Air Bag Connector under Driver Front Seat, loose pin retainers will set Air Bag Fault, often moving seat to one extreme or the other will make the fault or fix it. Push the wires back into the connector, good for a while.
2. ABS fault come & go for a while, bring into dealer, it went away and never came back, for 40,000 miles and counting (no charge).
3. In the middle of a 10PM drive to Lynchburg, VA from Charlotte, gauge package went dark, on, then off, all lit up, speedo & tach swinging upscale & down, engine never missed a beat. Year+ later and hasn't re-appeared once.