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recovering reading from failed odometer

Henry0Reilly
We bought a 2000 Buick a couple years ago that was really low mileage. The odometer display would come and go. Then it went and didn't come back.

Is there any way to recover that reading? Indiana law specifies the odometer reading must be entered on the title at transfer.
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Comments

18 comments

Date Votes
  • 320090T
    Make up something, they dont go to the car and check. "Honest, it usta did work"
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  • diver-rig
    Iowa has that same thing, but listing something to the effect of, out of mechanical means, don?t remember the exact phrase, was good enough
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  • Henry0Reilly
    What to write on the title isn't the only issue. I would like to be able to give the buyer an actual number rather than, "Believe me, it's really less than 90,000 miles." (90k being my best guess on the maximum and it might be quite a bit less)
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  • nmyers
    It's possible that a mechanic can remove the odometer, hook it to power, & recover the last reading. But, most folks aren't going to pay the $200-300 it would cost to get an old reading.

    Not knowing the mileage on the data base that Carfax & others use, it's not a good idea to get creative here; you will likely need to have your signature on the title notarized, & it is a legal document.

    Most states just require a short statement on the title if the odometer has been altered/broken/replaced. Just be honest, you don't want it to come back to you. This just puts the buyer on notice that the mileage can't be determined.

    Neal
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  • Mr. O
    I believe some vehicles have that information in the data stream /memory of the OBD system. Hook a scan tool up and see if it is there.
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  • jimdeere
    In Virginia, the vehicle safety inspection receipt has the mileage at the time of inspection.
    That or some other provenance may help.
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  • spasmcreek
    old mileage service stickers ?? and see how many miles per month? week? and extrapolate useage since it went bonkers
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  • SCOUT5
    It is most likely a ground wire issue. May be a simple fix, for someone that knew the wiring system. Call a couple local mechanics or a Buick dealership and see what they say.
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  • jimdeere
    Check YouTube. There?s a bunch of related videos.
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  • pip5255
    odometer reading is stored on the body control module so if you repair the dash display it will come back up to the correct amount.
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  • 47studebaker
    quote:Originally posted by pip5255
    odometer reading is stored on the body control module so if you repair the dash display it will come back up to the correct amount.


    this used to be correct in the 90's but don't know about the newer vehicles. The computer will also display the vin number.
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  • Knifecollector
    On that year and model of car, there were some resistors that had bad solder joints. I feel sure that if you were to pull the speedometer you could see where the joints have failed. Resolder the joints and the odometer will light back up and display the correct mileage. I've done it more than once.
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  • bpost
    GM instrument clusters and displays are noted for puking out. The data on miles is still in there.
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  • mag00
    quote:Originally posted by jimdeere
    In Virginia, the vehicle safety inspection receipt has the mileage at the time of inspection.
    That or some other provenance may help.


    The smog check stations also pull the odo reading.
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  • pip5255
    quote:Originally posted by 47studebaker
    quote:Originally posted by pip5255
    odometer reading is stored on the body control module so if you repair the dash display it will come back up to the correct amount.


    this used to be correct in the 90's but don't know about the newer vehicles. The computer will also display the vin number.


    my 05 chevy had an odometer display failure and it was stored on the body control module.
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  • EVILDR235
    I worked in a wrecking yard in Portland Oregon for 32 years. The biggest buyer of used low mileage speedometers was used car lots. Hmmmmmmm

    Jose.
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  • breddyrrt
    There is a cottage industry of people who repair GM instrument clusters. You send them yours and they swap you one they have already repaired.
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  • yoshmyster
    Does it have this kind a odo? If so maybe this will help. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6C8K-jfyvU
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