Odometer/Speedo Switch

[solonz]

Preformed on:
1993 Hilux Surf KZN130
1992 LandCruiser 80 Series 12v
1996 LandCruiser 80 series 24v
(Most Toyotas mid 90s have the same Speedo/odo)

After searching around trying to find a method to put a switch on the odometer but having little luck here is a write up how I did it.

Note:
If the speedo has an arm stopper it means it's electric and can be modified. If it doesn't it's cable driven and can't.

Remove the instrument cluster then remove the speedo gauge. Flip upside down and locate the 6 pins for the stepper motor, It runs the odometer/trip counter.

Cut the electrical path between the middle set of pins and the resistor. Sharp craft knife works well.

Next solder 1 wire to the resistor and another to the middle 2 pins. I wired this to a small toggle switch on the dash as I have upgraded to aftermarket shocks and no longer needed.

With a dab of silicone to hold the wires in place on the circuit board the gauge can be reinstated and cluster/dash put back together .

 

[solonz]

Photos to show where to cut and solder.

 

[tmxmotorsports]

Why are you doing this?

 

[solonz]

In New Zealand we pay road user charges on diesel vehicles ($76 per 1000km) when your not on a public road you're not required by law to pay, this enables me to turn off my odometer and save my road user charges when I'm 4WD or Backcountry touring.

 

[tech_dog]

I had a stretch where my yellow box pulse converter failed, effectively switching off my odometer and speedometer. It wasn't immediate, but after a 3-4 days of running with no speed signal my 94 FZJ would run rough and stall after deceleration.

The box failed intermittently, so it would occasionally come back to life, and it would run better again if it got the speed signal for a while. I repeated this cycle until I figured out the problem was the failing box.

The ECU must make bad guesses on something if it doesn't get a speed signal for a sustained period of time.

 

[NeverFinis]

Just a FYI, the Speed Signal is conditioned inside the gauge cluster and then sent on to the ECM. Stopping it at the gauge cluster may have unintended consequences.

Tons of codes in the FSM, including those involving shifting in the transmission, that revolve around a missing the NO 1 Speed Sensor.

 

[solonz]

This purely switches the stepper motor that turns over the odometer numbers. The speedo needle / speed signal still functions as normal and is not interfered with at all

 

[Rusty Marlin]

I'm pretty sure there's a USA DOT law against tampering with an odometer reading.
We have to sign a document at vehical sale that you swear on pain of jail and fines that you didn't mess with it.
NZ doesn't care if the odometer is tampered with?