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Hi guys got my MX-5 SE a few weeks ago but I have noted a couple of problems which I need help with.

1. Recently found a bit of oil spillage around the oil cap. When I take the car out for a spin, fresh oil appears. I've checked the oil cap and o-ring and that appears to be fine. I've checked the valve covers and they are fine. When the oil cap is off and I cover the hole with a cloth theres only a few oil flecks here and there, no gushing. I have a feeling that PCV valve is not working properly and causing pressure build up and forcing oil out the of the oil cap. I haven't tried changing the oil cap yet, and theres also a rubber gasket type thing for the PCV valve which could be at fault.

2. Speedometer doesn't work all the time. When it is working, its fine, but when it doesn't work it just reads zero. Could this be a speedometer cable problem?

Thanks in advance

The speedo is more likely an electrical issue.

the NB has an electronic speedo, no cable runs to the cluster.

Are you able to borrow a gauge cluster off somebody else to plug in and see if it does the same thing?

Please update your profile with your location.

There might be a forum member who lives close by who might be able to help.

If the cluster has been removed it's possible that the 3 cables in the back haven't been inserted correctly, maybe it's worth having a look to make sure all connections are correct there? Are there any other issues with the cluster? Mine had an issue for a little bit where it wouldn't remember the trip settings, resetting back to 0 each time the car was started (ODO still worked fine though!) :S

Shambler wrote:If the cluster has been removed it's possible that the 3 cables in the back haven't been inserted correctly, maybe it's worth having a look to make sure all connections are correct there? Are there any other issues with the cluster? Mine had an issue for a little bit where it wouldn't remember the trip settings, resetting back to 0 each time the car was started (ODO still worked fine though!) :S

Yeah I was doing some reading http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=326252 apparently if the connections to the speed sensor are loose that can affect the reading. Theres nothing else wrong with the cluster - both A and B trip meters work and remember their distance.

I'd still check the back of the cluster, there's I think 4 connectors that go into it.
It may well be the one for the odometer etc is fine, but the speedo is loose.

I'm mainly thinking that checking the back of the cluster is a nice clean 10min job, whereas swapping/repairing the speedo sender is dirty and takes a bit longer.

If the plug is loose, WIN! you've fixed the problem in 10mins for free.
If it's not the issue, oh well, it's only been 10mins wasted.

The flat flexible cable connectors to which the 3 plugs behind the instrument panel connect can also get a bit dirty, degrading or otherwise interrupting the signal. I cleaned my cables recently due my fuel gauge sometimes going a bit crazy (would drop 1/2 a tank for a few minutes, then recover) and it helped the problem immensely.

decayed.cell wrote:

Shambler wrote:If the cluster has been removed it's possible that the 3 cables in the back haven't been inserted correctly, maybe it's worth having a look to make sure all connections are correct there? Are there any other issues with the cluster? Mine had an issue for a little bit where it wouldn't remember the trip settings, resetting back to 0 each time the car was started (ODO still worked fine though!) :S

Yeah I was doing some reading http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=326252 apparently if the connections to the speed sensor are loose that can affect the reading. Theres nothing else wrong with the cluster - both A and B trip meters work and remember their distance.

How long does your speedo not work for?

Does the ODO, trip meter still go up when it doesn't work?

TieNN89 wrote:

decayed.cell wrote:

Shambler wrote:If the cluster has been removed it's possible that the 3 cables in the back haven't been inserted correctly, maybe it's worth having a look to make sure all connections are correct there? Are there any other issues with the cluster? Mine had an issue for a little bit where it wouldn't remember the trip settings, resetting back to 0 each time the car was started (ODO still worked fine though!) :S

Yeah I was doing some reading http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=326252 apparently if the connections to the speed sensor are loose that can affect the reading. Theres nothing else wrong with the cluster - both A and B trip meters work and remember their distance.

How long does your speedo not work for?

Does the ODO, trip meter still go up when it doesn't work?

It's very random but the last time I think it would have been gone for about 15 minutes and then it worked for about 5 seconds, then went dead again.

That's a good question I should check that out

I Had the same problem with the SE Rally Car.
Replaced the speedo sensor at the G/Box and all good Now.

Not a hard job 1 X 10mm head bolt and one 2 pin conector plug

TieNN89 wrote:

decayed.cell wrote:

Shambler wrote:If the cluster has been removed it's possible that the 3 cables in the back haven't been inserted correctly, maybe it's worth having a look to make sure all connections are correct there? Are there any other issues with the cluster? Mine had an issue for a little bit where it wouldn't remember the trip settings, resetting back to 0 each time the car was started (ODO still worked fine though!) :S

Yeah I was doing some reading http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=326252 apparently if the connections to the speed sensor are loose that can affect the reading. Theres nothing else wrong with the cluster - both A and B trip meters work and remember their distance.

How long does your speedo not work for?

Does the ODO, trip meter still go up when it doesn't work?

Okay the odometer and tripmeter both not counting when the speedo isn't working. I think we can conclude that it is the speed sensor

I guess my question is now then which part is the correct one if I were to replace it?

M528-17-400A or M534-17-400?