Help: Speedometer, odometer and tripmeter not working (1 Viewer)

[SoCal_80]

(I already searched and came up dry on this)
OK...
Truck is a 1993....
My speedo about 6 months ago began to "sticK' when not driven for awhile. Meaning after sitting for a week or two it would take 5 minutes of driving then it would come back to life. I went wheeling this past weekend and it died, came back to life then now it is completly dead along with the odometer and tripmeter (which did not happen before). Now for a dead stop the speedo will jump every once in a while from 0 to like 60 then immediatly back to 0 and stay there until the next dead stop (sometimes but not everytime). I already got a new speed sensor, swaped it months ago and that appears was not the cause of my speedo problems. Any ideas???

Also, on the way back from my wheeling trip all thought he speedo was working at the time, the cruise control would shutoff going up slight inclines when it would normally just downshift and easily power through the slight hill.

Thank you in advance for any ideas on where to start looking!

 

[AustinCruiser]

Try the big plugs behind the instrument cluster.

I had the same problem and bought a new VSS but it didn't work. I took the cluster out to replace the "D" bulb, put everything back together and my speedo began working. I think the harness plug simply loosened over the years.

 

[SoCal_80]

Try the big plugs behind the instrument cluster.

I had the same problem and bought a new VSS but it didn't work. I took the cluster out to replace the "D" bulb, put everything back together and my speedo began working. I think the harness plug simply loosened over the years.

Thanks...Will give that a try and i am keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[DBWood]

Maybe too obvious....
Did you check the speedo cable where it goes into the T-Case? I had the same jumpy speedo for a while. I pulled the cable out of the T-Case and lubed it up nice with some lithium and now it works like new.
Hope you can figure it out.


Doug

 

[SoCal_80]

Maybe too obvious....
Did you check the speedo cable where it goes into the T-Case? I had the same jumpy speedo for a while. I pulled the cable out of the T-Case and lubed it up nice with some lithium and now it works like new.
Hope you can figure it out.


Doug

Going to get looking at things tomorrow....But a stupid question in the mean time. I looked and am assuming the '93 does not have a speedo cable....Right? I looked and can not find anything like a cable coming from the t-case.....

 

[DBWood]

This is too funny. Just took one of my nephews into town for work, and now my speedo cable is acting up!
Your 93 will definitely have the cable running into the side of the transfer case at the back. It does not look like a nut, it is a ribbed collar that you are looking for. If you need, I will take some pics for you. Looks like I will be spending some time under there today...

 

[SoCal_80]

This is too funny. Just took one of my nephews into town for work, and now my speedo cable is acting up!
Your 93 will definitely have the cable running into the side of the transfer case at the back. It does not look like a nut, it is a ribbed collar that you are looking for. If you need, I will take some pics for you. Looks like I will be spending some time under there today...

A pic would be great. I have the day off today and am going to take a better look for it!

 

[DBWood]

Hey Socal. This pic is taken from the drivers side of my '94. Middle of the truck. The big black thing you see is the gas tank. In the middle of the pic you can see the round metal collar with the black speedo cable coming out of the transfer case, and the rear drive shaft coming out behind that.
It is exactly the same on my '90 rhd HDJ81...
Hope this helps.

Doug

 

[rove_mcanus]

You should check the transmission and cruise control computers for error codes. Get the FSM. What better way to find out what's wrong then by asking it

There are two speed sensors in the fzj80. One in the transfer, one in the transmission. A fault with either, or the wiring between the sensors and computers will trigger an error code through the transmission computer.

 

[SoCal_80]

You should check the transmission and cruise control computers for error codes. Get the FSM. What better way to find out what's wrong then by asking it

There are two speed sensors in the fzj80. One in the transfer, one in the transmission. A fault with either, or the wiring between the sensors and computers will trigger an error code through the transmission computer.

Great idea!
Glad i have read the FSM then asked questions later....
So Woods....I honestly do not have that cable. Where your cable goes into the t-case i have the VSS connected to wires. I have read that the piece the the VSS screws into has plastic gears which may go bad....My next task is to open that up and take a look. Does anyone know if by opening up that area will i also bo draining the t-case oil?

 

[DBWood]

SoCal, you are right.

On my 90 HDJ it comes out in the same spot and is an actual flexible metal cable with a small sensor between it and the T-Case.
On the '94 it looks like a small gear box with the VSS going into it.
I would bet that you can take off the VSS and unscrew the adaptor that goes into the T-Case without any worry, but, I have already lead you astray once...

FWIW, on the HDJ I just unscrew it, pull out the speedo cable, lube it up and push it back in, being careful to seat it back into the speedo by giving it a little turn. I just did it today. When I take it out on the HDJ there is no loss of fluid.

 

[prerunner84]

I also have a intermittent speedo did anyone fine a fix?

 

[Todomevale]

Having the same problem myself, bought a 94 about a month ago, speedometer & odometer not working. Changed the VVS this morning, not the wheel part, but the part with the electrical connection. No change.

 

[prerunner84]

I bought a new sensor and it fix the problem

 

[Todomevale]

I bought a new sensor and it fix the problem

You're talking about the sensor that connects to the part with the plastic wheel, right?

 

[prerunner84]

You're talking about the sensor that connects to the part with the plastic wheel, right?

Yes