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Speedometer issues in the cold

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by ChinoXL, Jun 10, 2025.

  1. Jun 10, 2025 at 10:27 PM
    #1
    ChinoXL

    ChinoXL [OP] Well-Known Member

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    In very cold temps (-10 F and below) I have experienced my speedometer suddenly ceasing to function accompanied by a loud whirring noise seemingly from behind the instrument panel as if something is spinning very fast. By slowing down, downshifting or coming to a stop I have been able to fix the issue.

    I will be getting into my instrument panel soon to diagnose a brake warning light not illuminating and would like to know if there is anything specific I should be looking for in relation to the noise. Would also appreciate if someone can tell me what bulb number I can use to replace the brake warning light.
     
    Black97v6MT likes this.
  2. Jun 11, 2025 at 6:20 AM
    #2
    Dan496

    Dan496 meme expert

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    ChinoXL[OP] likes this.
  3. Jun 11, 2025 at 6:29 AM
    #3
    Black97v6MT

    Black97v6MT 365k on the 0D0 ... 5VZFE R150F 4WD

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    iMA0
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    28 years of livin' Gen1 TacoLife...
    I do believe there is more to this whiny jittery needle besides grease, the yota master mechanic I had sorta fix it told me that Toyota does Not use any grease in these
    IDK....
    I can't seem get any decent answers to the proper remedy from a pro

    I did happen upon a gauge cluster restoration rebuilder located near Seattle Washington area But have yet to contact them regarding the issue with the oldest of the tacomas
     
    ChinoXL[OP] likes this.
  4. Jun 11, 2025 at 6:33 AM
    #4
    Dan496

    Dan496 meme expert

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    I have had a lot of these trucks over the years, fixed plenty of them. Greasing the output on the cluster definitely helps, Also since these trucks are old probably wouldn't hurt to replace the cable all together either. Dont expect perfection because a lot of what makes these trucks great is lack of tech and pure simplicity.
     
  5. Jun 11, 2025 at 7:31 AM
    #5
    ChinoXL

    ChinoXL [OP] Well-Known Member

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    What kind of grease are you using for this Dan? I’ve got some purple stuff I use on the driveshaft in my grease gun now that I’m sure could work.
     
    Black97v6MT likes this.
  6. Jun 11, 2025 at 7:54 AM
    #6
    Dan496

    Dan496 meme expert

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    White Lithium Grease works fine. Ive even used wolfs head red grease. Again its a cheap option and couldn't hurt if you are planning on taking the cluster out. Worst case you wipe it off clean it off and try WD 40 or something else.
     
    ChinoXL[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  7. Jun 11, 2025 at 8:08 AM
    #7
    ChinoXL

    ChinoXL [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Great thank you for the advice. I have tried searching for the indicator bulb sizes before but only ever found info for the gauge illumination bulbs. Looks like those are 194s and the indicator bulbs are 74s.
     
    Black97v6MT likes this.
  8. Jun 11, 2025 at 1:24 PM
    #8
    Black97v6MT

    Black97v6MT 365k on the 0D0 ... 5VZFE R150F 4WD

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    28 years of livin' Gen1 TacoLife...
    the odd thing is it will not do it during hotter weather
    or when the inside cab or behind the cluster gets warmed up in the winter... it used to take about 10 miles of insane dangerous screeching at 60mph for the noise to stop and needle to stop bouncing around all over the place...starts at about 25 or 30mph on the coldest of days
     
    ChinoXL[OP] likes this.
  9. Jun 11, 2025 at 1:57 PM
    #9
    ChinoXL

    ChinoXL [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yes exactly seems like this is a common issue
     
  10. Jun 11, 2025 at 7:59 PM
    #10
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

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    Sugar Land TX
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    1996 Taco 2.4L 2wd Automatic
    Clock Volt meter/LSPV Delete/Hyundai 16’s/FP gauge/after 9months of wrenching ZERO oil leaks
    Same Thing Here!

    Just last week….got a hold of 4cly cluster with tach
    Swapped out (works perfectly…plug and play

    but last winter could here that wa-wa-wa-wa
    IMO….its the upwards most part of the cable
    I greased the connection
    I moved/wedged end of the speedo cable in the inner dashboard facing up
    I then put/injected some expensive AC compressor oil into top of cable
    I let the oil move down the inside of the cable while I worked on other things

    I have used this same process for some 1970 mc brake/throttle/clutch cables

    so far so good
    Wish TX would get a cold snap….unlikely
     
    ChinoXL[OP] likes this.
  11. Jun 12, 2025 at 4:51 AM
    #11
    Black97v6MT

    Black97v6MT 365k on the 0D0 ... 5VZFE R150F 4WD

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    28 years of livin' Gen1 TacoLife...
    does this also happen with the AT tacos?
     
  12. Jun 12, 2025 at 4:54 AM
    #12
    Black97v6MT

    Black97v6MT 365k on the 0D0 ... 5VZFE R150F 4WD

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    28 years of livin' Gen1 TacoLife...
    i may just have 2 have U take a look at my sh!T
    lmao :(
    the screaming noise mine can make at zero degrees especially on the freeway, is not just annoying but dangerously distracting
     
    ControlCar[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Jun 12, 2025 at 4:57 AM
    #13
    Black97v6MT

    Black97v6MT 365k on the 0D0 ... 5VZFE R150F 4WD

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    28 years of livin' Gen1 TacoLife...
    here is the speedo fix place i was referencing prior
    located in the SeaTac area

    Tacoma Speedometer and Touchscreen Repair

    [​IMG]

    Problems We Solve:
    • Speedometer needle bounces
    • Speedometer makes a noise while driving
    • Touchscreen blank
    • No odometer display
    • Stuck needles
    • Instrument cluster dead
     
  14. Jun 12, 2025 at 2:27 PM
    #14
    ControlCar

    ControlCar My Moto: Help & Learn…period.

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    Clock Volt meter/LSPV Delete/Hyundai 16’s/FP gauge/after 9months of wrenching ZERO oil leaks
    wasnt bad at all
    10mm/phillips/some kinda nylon wedge(to pry off radio trim without dmg)
    the biggest pain is to stuff your hand/arm from R side of cluster to un-clip the speedo cable
    (i still have some scabs on my forearm)
    45min total(but i let that compressor oil soak for 15m or so and reapplied)

    im pretty confident tht the re-lubed cable will work this winter
    agreed.........that noise is unbearable
     
    Black97v6MT[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Jun 13, 2025 at 7:18 AM
    #15
    Black97v6MT

    Black97v6MT 365k on the 0D0 ... 5VZFE R150F 4WD

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    28 years of livin' Gen1 TacoLife...
    damned '98s and above do not have this issue...
    :annoyed:
     
  16. Jun 14, 2025 at 5:45 AM
    #16
    Black97v6MT

    Black97v6MT 365k on the 0D0 ... 5VZFE R150F 4WD

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    28 years of livin' Gen1 TacoLife...
    i am like All Thumbs...and one doesn't work so well these days
     
  17. Jun 14, 2025 at 5:53 AM
    #17
    Black97v6MT

    Black97v6MT 365k on the 0D0 ... 5VZFE R150F 4WD

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    28 years of livin' Gen1 TacoLife...
  18. Jun 14, 2025 at 8:24 AM
    #18
    Dan496

    Dan496 meme expert

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