98 4cyl with new cluster and mph is way off?

Hi, I’m new to the forums, but pretty familiar with how things are as I am a member of about 8-9 other forums.
My question is that I just picked up a 98 4 cyl 4x4 regular cab, there were 3 large cracks in the cluster on the clear plastic. I went to the junkyard and got another which had 4k more miles on the clock which is not a big deal, however my MPH is way off. I know cars 96 and newer have a VSS, when I am going in either reverse or forward at 5mph its showing about 40, I then proceed down the road and it goes to 55 (I have not yet tried to go faster, but felt as if I was actually going 50).

I know it’s a junk yard cluster, what could be wrong, dirty contacts or the unit itself?

 

What are the details on the Tacoma from which the junkyard cluster was taken?

Mismatched cluster swaps can lead to speedometer weirdness, but from what I can tell yours is farther 'off' than any I've ever heard of.

Also ... Is this a mechanical (cable-driven) or electrical speedometer? Cable-driven speedos were mainly replaced with electrical ones in 1998, but the earlier cable-driven ones continued to be used on certain base model Regular Cabs into or through 1998.

 

Welcome to TW! Sorry I can not assist you on this issue, but I am sure that some of our more knowledgeable members can. And once again, welcome.

 

The junkyard didnt tell me, but maybe it was out of a 6 cyl. I forgot to mention that the rpm only goes up to around 3600-4000 when it should be closer to redline when it shifts at full throttle.
This is an all electric cluster, no cables. I wonder if toyota sells the plastic piece that covers the cluster, since thats all I really need.

 

Then just swap the plastic cover part from this malfunctioning one to yours

 

I looked quickly at that today but it seems as if the plastic is sort of welded or glued together at 2" increments around the cluster, I would be afraid of breaking the good plastic. Anyone have any tricks on how to separate them? Maybe a heat gun?

 

Look at the black headlight mod. it may be silicon glue. test on the broken one. if it doesn't come off clean you lost nothing. Then take the one off the malfuntioning one. If you can't get it I'd try and swap the replacement for another that works with your truck. Maybe even a piece of lexan cut to fit.

 

I called toyota and its only $31 and change for the new plastic piece, so I guess problem solved

 

Silly question.

Did you remover the battery Negitive cable before the install?

maybe the ECU needs to redo things a bit..

 

I pulled the junkyard cluster out and found that one of the screws were loose (cos or sin was written above it, I tightened it up and it works now. 4k more miles than my original but looks alot better. Thanks for your help!

 

The speedometers on these typically reference from the transmission. It could be that the unit you pulled it calibrated for an automatic transmission versus a manual, or vice-versa.