Autometer Won't Calibrate

[73novaguy]

I just installed the new 5" in dash Speedo from Autometer. I run through the process of calibrating it and when I finish my 2 mile distance and push the calibrate/trip button it goes to zero like it is supposed to (supposed to be calibrated after this step) then moments later it will go back to 80MPH and then back to zero! And it won't take! Anyone run into this? I have the Autometer sending unit installed witha TH350 speedo end and Autometers keyway.

[Mkelcy]

Is the needle at 80 mph while you're doing the calibration run?

[73novaguy]

No. Everything acts as normal until the very last step when it should zero and be done with the calibrating. but once it goes to zero (shouldf be done here) it returns back to 80 and then drops to zero again! Is there a difference if I am in trip meter or odemeter setting when i start it up? i wouldn;'t think so. Help!

[Mkelcy]

I just did this calibration with my Autometer Phantom speedometer. The procedure was to press and hold the trip reset button (I don't think it matters whether you're in trip or odometer mode when you start) and then start the car while holding the trip reset button down. I found that if I didn't continue to hold the trip reset button for a second or two after the car started, the calibration didn't work. I've forgotten where the needle is once the car is started and you release the trip reset button, but it's either at 160 or 0 until you get to the starting point for your two mile run. When you're ready to do the calibration run, I stopped and pressed the trip reset button again, the needle (at least on my gauge) went to 80 and stayed there during the 2 mile calibration run. At the end of the 2 mile calibration run, I again stopped, pressed the trip reset button, and the needle went to zero and the gauge worked fine then.

If your needle wasn't at 80 (or whatever your middle speed reading is) during the calibration run, I don't think you properly initiated the calibration sequence. Good luck.

[CAMAROBOY69]

He is right. I believe your needle has to be at 80mph. If I remember correctly you are supposed to start the car then click the button or hold it in. Something like that. Then it should go to 80mph. Next you drive 2 miles. Then click the button again. Then its calibrated extremely accurate.

[69HuggrrrPT]

I have to do this soon as well. How did you guys know when the 2 mi is up?

[CAMAROBOY69]

I have to do this soon as well. How did you guys know when the 2 mi is up?

I told Heather to drive exactly 2 miles and wave her hand out the window. At that point I hit the button again. Extremely easy to do.
She was in a different car and I followed her in my 69 Camaro.

[69HuggrrrPT]

Did she also have to drive at a certain speed? I lost my instructions.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Did she also have to drive at a certain speed? I lost my instructions.

Nope. You can go any speed. It calibrates distance and tire revolutions or tranny revolutions. You will see numbers on the bottom going insane! It will be huge then as soon as you click the button after the 2 mile mark it should be the exact speed you are traveling. We were in town so when I hit mine it went to 30mph. Its extremely accurate. I have a T56 6speed tranny. You can also call Autometer for any questions.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Here is the coolest part about those gauges. No matter what you do they somehow retain the memory. Even if I leave my battery unhooked for a month I can still get in the car and it retains the calibration and miles. Very impressive IMO even with no juice going to them.

[Mkelcy]

He is right. I believe your needle has to be at 80mph. If I remember correctly you are supposed to start the car then click the button or hold it in. Something like that. Then it should go to 80mph. Next you drive 2 miles. Then click the button again. Then its calibrated extremely accurate.

Close. Hold the trip reset button down while starting the car, then release it a second or two after the car is started.

As for the two miles, I used a navigation system to determine the distance between two addresses on a long straight street. Basing the two miles on another car's measurement of the distance will only make the Autometer calibration as accurate as the other car was.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Close. Hold the trip reset button down while starting the car, then release it a second or two after the car is started.



As for the two miles, I used a navigation system to determine the distance between two addresses on a long straight street. Basing the two miles on another car's measurement of the distance will only make the Autometer calibration as accurate as the other car was.

Ok I remember now. Yes you end up hitting the button 3 times total exactly like he said.
1.Once before start up(should read 80mph if done correctly)
2.once again to start the calibration (numbers go crazy!)
3.then one last time to end the 2 mile calibration(should be your correct mph)

[Mkelcy]

Ok I remember now. Yes you end up hitting the button 3 times total exactly like he said.
1.Once before start up(should read 80mph if done correctly)
2.once again to start the calibration (numbers go crazy!)
3.then one last time to end the 2 mile calibration(should be your correct mph)

Perhaps we have different gauges. For me, the procedure was to press and hold the trip reset button, start the car and release the reset button a second or two after the car started. At that point the needle was at one extreme or the other (0 or 160). Then when I pressed the button again to start the calibration, it went to 80 and stayed there until I pressed the button again at the end of the 2 mile calibration run, when it returned to 0 because I was stopped.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Well I think by now they at least have an idea of how it works. Autometer would know exactly what to do but we are all very close. Its extremely easy.

[73novaguy]

Welll I think your both trying to say the same thing. I have done exactly as both of you have stated. I start and hold and trip button while I crank the car, then it pegs out at 160 then I get to my 2 mile starting point and press the button again, it goes to 80 MPH, then I drive my 2 mile distance and stop and press the button again, the guage should be calibrated right now, but mine for some reason goes back to 80 MPH and then drops back to 0 (all while the car is stopped and me hitting no extra buttons).
I have a odometer on my mountain bike the reads to the thousandth of a mile, I just reset the trip on that and road exactly two miles. If you have a freind who has a GPS or something similair you can get a very accurate reading off from that

[CAMAROBOY69]

You say it bounces to 80 then back to zero while parked after you calibrate it.That sounds normal. Drive it right now to see if its working. Every time I start my car it bounces to 80 then back to zero. Then when I drive it works perfect.

[Chad-1stGen]

Hmm I hope to be doing this little calibration in a month. Good info since I don't know where my guage paperwork is.

[73novaguy]

After i complete all of the steps and the gauge goes back to zero and is supposedly done with calibration. It jumps to 80 then back to zero and doesn't move from there on out! And when I calibrate the gauge the trip meter doesn't do any counting like has been previously mentioned. Just registers 1 (miles they put on at the factory to calibrate it). Just thought maybe someone run into something like this before so i didn't have to tear it all apart or so I knew what i was looking for before i went and tore it apart.

[73novaguy]

The problem was..... No main shaft gear in the transmission. Took the tailshaft housing off and to my surprise there was no gear to drive the speedo gear! That would explain all of the headache of why the gauge acted like it was going to calibrate but never really did anything. Feeling kinda silly! But thanks for the replies guys!

[CAMAROBOY69]

Oh well at least you got it working. I bet you feel like this...