Speedometer not working

[WarDamnEagle]

Speedometer quit working on my 85 4Runner for the second time in its life. The first time it happened it was the little gear that goes into the transfer case. Thinking it was the same this time, I changed the gear out and it didn't help. I should have know it wasn't the gear when I pulled the old one out as it looked like new.

We haven't driven this vehicle except in the woods during hunting season but my 16 yo wants to drive the 4runner to school and around town. Obviously he will need a speedometer.

So what should I do now? My thought is to order a new cable and have it to hand before I take the instrument cluster out.

Other thoughts/suggestions?

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

I'd pop the cluster out (about 8 screws and 5 minutes... Hint: Under the hood on the firewall there's a clip holding the cable, pull the cable out of this and it gives you room to mess with it once the cluster is out.) And unhook the cable from the cluster and see if it's turning at that end while driving.

 

[4rnr]

I'd pop the cluster out (about 8 screws and 5 minutes... Hint: Under the hood on the firewall there's a clip holding the cable, pull the cable out of this and it gives you room to mess with it once the cluster is out.) And unhook the cable from the cluster and see if it's turning at that end while driving.

or the cable has popped out. My 88 cable would pop out. I wish I new about the clip under the dash...there would be less dry blood on the back side of my cluster.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

I'd pop the cluster out (about 8 screws and 5 minutes... Hint: Under the hood on the firewall there's a clip holding the cable, pull the cable out of this and it gives you room to mess with it once the cluster is out.) And unhook the cable from the cluster and see if it's turning at that end while driving.

Great suggestion. Well the cable isn't turning so I just ordered a new cable. Another $100.....

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Just for the record, it was the cable and the speedo is working again.

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Good deal!

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Well spedo quit again about a week ago and I just had time to look at it. The gear on the drive train end is good and I just popped the cluster and made sure that that end was good; and it was. It also looks like the needle isn't exactly on 0 at rest, maybe more like 5 mph?

I think it's the cluster this time.

 

[cruiser88]

yep I have to use a GPS, I got tired of swapping out clusters

Well spedo quit again about a week ago and I just had time to look at it. The gear on the drive train end is good and I just popped the cluster and made sure that that end was good; and it was. It also looks like the needle isn't exactly on 0 at rest, maybe more like 5 mph?

I think it's the cluster this time.

 

[toy4xfun]

eagle what cluster do you have, i have two non sr5 clusters.

if you want one pm me.

 

[WarDamnEagle]

eagle what cluster do you have, i have two non sr5 clusters.

if you want one pm me.

Thanks. I still have the original non SR5 cluster but I changed to an SR5 cluster a few years ago and I don't really want to go back. I've already looked at the actual speedometer in the two clusters and they are quite different so swapping parts isn't an option (as far as I can tell).

I'll just go back to ebay and pick up another SR5 cluster at some point.

One of my sons is driving it back and forth to school and he knows how to stay under 50 based on gear and RPM. Since there aren't any air bags I don't really let him use it for much of anything else.

 

[cruiser88]

you gave it to me

eagle what cluster do you have, i have two non sr5 clusters.

if you want one pm me.

 

[toy4xfun]

no i gave you the sr5 cluster, i think! i have 2 more here.

 

[toy4xfun]

Thanks. I still have the original non SR5 cluster but I changed to an SR5 cluster a few years ago and I don't really want to go back. I've already looked at the actual speedometer in the two clusters and they are quite different so swapping parts isn't an option (as far as I can tell).

I'll just go back to ebay and pick up another SR5 cluster at some point.

One of my sons is driving it back and forth to school and he knows how to stay under 50 based on gear and RPM. Since there aren't any air bags I don't really let him use it for much of anything else.

i will check but i am sure i gave the sr5 cluster to crazy, i am back to work now so hard to say what i will come across to buy, if i come across one, i will let you know.