second gen honda crv speedometer issues

[greg choma]

I’ve seen some vids by Eric on the subject of Honda speedometers, how he diagnosed and subsequently repaired one (it was the VSS). My 2002 crv has a speedometer that quits working often and then starts working fine again. If I’m driving and it stops working, it may start working again as I take off from a red light or stop sign (after coming to a complete stop). The speedo does not jump around in crazy fashion. It does not jump around while at a stop. It just dies sometime then comes back. When it is not working, the odometer continues to function normally. I have an obd2 reader I leave plugged in giving me real time feedback so my dashmounted phone can display a speedometer from the app. The app speedo works equally well both on gps and by ecm reading when the car speedo is malfunctioning. I pulled the instrument cluster and made sure to clean the contacts and replace securely. I pulled the plug at the VSS and cleaned and replaced securely, no improvement. I ordered and replaced a new VSS (randomly hoping it was the easy fix), no improvement. Diagnosis with a multimeter is problematic because the problem comes and goes so frequently. I could randomly replace the speedo/cluster but I hate that approach, would be stuck with cost of the part if it doesn’t work and not sure how to keep the same odometer. I don’t see any potentially pinched or damaged wiring. Everything looks normal.
Q. is there another possible cause other than a faulty speedometer? Suggestions to help diagnose would be appreciated. Any video help on replacement and keeping original odometer if it comes to that?

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