Spedometer working, Odometer not - need advice

[Lenny the fj80]

I've searched for hours on a possible solution for this problem, but can't seem to figure it out. I have a 1993 FZJ80, one day I pushed the trip reset and the whole odometer stopped working, a common problem I've seen. The spedometer still works perfectly, but the Odometer is stuck.

Yesterday, I stripped down the whole dash to get to the cluster (replaced some bulbs too), I took out the odometer to try to see if anything was visibly wrong. It seemed a little jammed, and after working at it for a bit I seemed to loosen it a little. Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure the FZJ is an electrical system and doesn't have a cable. After putting everything together and driving it a bit, the odometer still didn't work.

I'm at a loss and could use some guidance on the system itself. Im thinking possibly theres a missing connection or some part broke I'm just not seeing, does anyone have images or diagrams that might prove useful in trying to figure this out myself? Otherwise, I'll probably look into replacing the entire odometer with another cruiser of similar mileage, does anyone know where to buy a replacement odometer?

Any help is much appreciated, I know this topic has been repeated over and over but after all my research I couldn't find any solutions.

 

[BILT4ME]

It's a common problem that someone pushes the trip reset and then it and/or the odometer tops working. This actually happened to my 96. I had noticed that one of the times I pressed the trip odo and something caught. The next time, it didn't do anything, but after THAT one, the main odometer stopped working. I did a search on here for odometer, speedometer, and a few others, but the long and short there is a piece of a gear that breaks off and jams the gears on the main odometer. For mine, I did a LOT of poking on the trip pin WHILE DRIVING in order to clear the piece out of the odometer. I also used the manual vibration method (I beat on the dash) to try to dislodge it. Mine started working again, so I did not tear it apart. The only fix is replacement. There are no gears that can be purchased to fix.

Since it quit after poking the trip odometer, I would guess you have a similar issue.

Yes, these truck send the signal electronically, but if your speedometer is working, then the sensors are doing their job.

Shop the classifieds above for a gauge set.

And WELCOME!

 

[Malleus]

x2
I have this problem on one of my 80s. The pawl for the trip-o-meter gear is broken. I've tried gluing it back to its original position, and the repair lasted a day.

You'll have to pull the entire combination meter, and then disassemble it to get to the speedo-odo head unit. Truly a PITA. AFAIK, replacement is the only option.

 

[Rifleman]

Lenny, since you live in a major city you should be able to find a local shop who does speedometer calibration, and repairs. I'd do a search under the heading of speedometer calibration, many police departments use these shops to calibrate their cars speedometer. Since almost all speedometers now are electronic, a local shop should have the parts, and knowledge to repair your broken odometer. The big plus is you already have it apart, so that'll save you on the labor they would charge you to take it out of your dash, and put it back in.

 

[Heckraiser]

Recently happened to me too. I'm going to try the "beat on the dash" method.

 

[Rigidarm]

The electro read is located under the drivers side on the trans case. One 10mm bolt and you can pull it off. Unplug and replace. But first go deeper into the same housing and remove the drive gear. It is a toothed white plastic gear about 1" diameter with a 3" shaft. That gear might have broken teeth.... they are plastic as I said. Happened to me. I found 4 teeth missing. Put in a new gear and plugged the sensor back in and odometer and speedometer worked again fine. My 80 series is a 1993 too if that helps. I see that your speedo works but I have 330,000 miles on my rig and sooner or later your gear or sensor will fail even if it's only in your dash this time around.

 

[BILT4ME]

The electro read is located under the drivers side on the trans case. One 10mm bolt and you can pull it off. Unplug and replace. But first go deeper into the same housing and remove the drive gear. It is a toothed white plastic gear about 1" diameter with a 3" shaft. That gear might have broken teeth.... they are plastic as I said. Happened to me. I found 4 teeth missing. Put in a new gear and plugged the sensor back in and odometer and speedometer worked again fine. My 80 series is a 1993 too if that helps. I see that your speedo works but I have 330,000 miles on my rig and sooner or later your gear or sensor will fail even if it's only in your dash this time around.

But his speedo still works, not the odo. The odo is driven from the speedo.

Don't mess with the parts under the truck because you MAY introduce new problems.

 

[Heckraiser]

Recently happened to me too. I'm going to try the "beat on the dash" method.

Welp, it came back to life! The trick was to loan the truck to my wife. She probably ran over a curb at speed or something