Speedometer problem: cable works, but speedo doesn't move (1 Viewer)

[Weebs]

Good morning all,

Ever since purchasing my FJ I have not had a speedo and today I decided to tackle the problem. With the assistance of prior speedo thread I dove in.

I disconnected the speedo cable from the transfer case and spun it using a drill. The speedo did not register any speed. I though my cable was busted so I pulled it out.

With both ends of the speedo cable visable I hooked up the drill again. the gage end spun perfectly. Hmm must not be my cable.

So I tore into the gage cluster and hooked the speedo back onto the cable. The bottom brass "drum" thing spun at the speed the drill was turning but the top of it wasn't turning.

I turned the top section by hand and the needle moved.

Any ideas as to what could be my issue?

Attached is an image of what was spinning and what wasn't.

 

[alan m]

Hello
There are a couple of possible causes for this problem.
One is that the gears are gummed up and can't move, this will of course require cleaning, be carfull of the type of cleaner you use as some will dissolve the plastic and destroy your gauge. a light oil should soften the gunk enough to see if it is the cause.
Another possibility is that the gauge has been previously taken apart for cleaning and reassembled incorrectly. On the secondary drum, the part you identified as not moving there is a stop bar which prevents the speedometer from moving in the opposite direction. If this was assembled wrong then that stop bar will cause the gauge to not work when you test it.
DO NOT try to spin the gauge in the opposite direction with the drill as you will damage the return spring on the speedometer.
Use a toothpick or small screwdriver and gently try to spin the secondary drum. If the stop bar is engaging you will see it.
Good Luck
Alan

 

[Weebs]

Hello
There are a couple of possible causes for this problem.
One is that the gears are gummed up and can't move, this will of course require cleaning, be carfull of the type of cleaner you use as some will dissolve the plastic and destroy your gauge. a light oil should soften the gunk enough to see if it is the cause.
Another possibility is that the gauge has been previously taken apart for cleaning and reassembled incorrectly. On the secondary drum, the part you identified as not moving there is a stop bar which prevents the speedometer from moving in the opposite direction. If this was assembled wrong then that stop bar will cause the gauge to not work when you test it.
DO NOT try to spin the gauge in the opposite direction with the drill as you will damage the return spring on the speedometer.
Use a toothpick or small screwdriver and gently try to spin the secondary drum. If the stop bar is engaging you will see it.
Good Luck
Alan

Thanks for the reply Alan. I'll give your suggestions a try tomorrow after noon and see what happens!

Thanks again

 

[myquestoyota]

There is an excellent thread on here about this. I followed it and now mine works. I only had to reassemble it four times before I got it right. The plastic gears only work correctly one way.

 

[Weebs]

There is an excellent thread on here about this. I followed it and now mine works. I only had to reassemble it four times before I got it right. The plastic gears only work correctly one way.

I swear I've read everything on the internet about the fj40 speedo but I don't think I've ever seen a disassembly thread. Do you happen to remember who made the posting or what the title was?

 

[mossman40]

I swear I've read everything on the internet about the fj40 speedo but I don't think I've ever seen a disassembly thread. Do you happen to remember who made the posting or what the title was?

I found this to be a very good DIY. Hope this is the one:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/463766-fixing-stuck-odometer-pics.html

 

[Weebs]

No progress to report as of yet... My FJ decided to die on the road so I've got a couple other issues to figure out first. If it isn't one thing it's another!