Hi, I am new to the electric cars. I don’t know if there is a speedometer in my car but if there is it doesn’t work. If there is how does it work? I know it can’t be a mechanical speedometer. Is it by RPM?
Yes, The little round display on your dash is a multi function gauge and one of the things it normally shows you is speed.
Yes, the motor controller does this by monitoring motor RPM, performs some calculation based on the parameters programmed into the motor controller and spits out a number that represents your speed.
Another other function of the speed sensor/motor controller relationship is to somewhat alter the power curve as the motor ramps up in RPM. It is also programmed to limit the top speed of the vehicle to protect the occupants and the motor itself.
But where is the fun in that?
The RPM nanny is usually the first thing that is altered/adjusted/tossed. Do a search of the archives (using the magnifying glass at the top of this page) using some variant of the phrase “How do I make this car go faster” and you will see how many times it has been asked.
But your opening post:
I don’t know if there is a speedometer in my car but if there is it doesn’t work.
Possibly hints that your display Doesn’t light up at all?
Please clarify.
Or perhaps the display lights up and either shows a 0 or some other number that is an inaccurate/altered factor relating to how fast your car is moving?
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My display while driving shows "000“ or % of battery charge.
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Under the front hood, down low in the pass side, Locate the end of the motor. (Big round thing).
It has the large cable connections attached to it, But also a few small wires going the the end casting. Depending on which motor you have, there will be a 3 wire connector, and probably a two wire connection.
You are interested in the 3 wire connector. That is your speed sensor wire. Verify that it is hooked up.
OK, cool. I will check it out. Thank you for the information. I am gas person but the GEM is a blast to drive.
The 3 wire plug in connected. So is the sensor bad in the motor? I know the car was left outside before I got it, could that have something to do with it?
Can you identify which motor you have?
Can you figure out how to remove the black plastic sensor of the end of the motor?
Then look at the magnet. It might have self destructed.
How important is the speedo to you?
Realize that fixing your it will probably make your car slower.
(Note to @JarJarJava - Not that kind of speedo…)
It’s not important, I just pedal down always.
You could always install a 12V GPS speedometer like this one for $12 on Amazon.
I did that in my dune buggy and it works great!!
That’s a great idea, thank you
Wiggle wiggle wiggle
Did you check your magnet?
It is under your speed sensor cap.
I just ordered a GPS speed