Speedometer ONLY issue

2005 Tacoma

I searched for speedometer issues and found a few threads, but nothing that quite matched my issue.

The gauge cluster works fine except for the speedometer. Tach, fuel, odometer, lights, etc all good. No check engine light illuminated. The needle flutters very slightly at zero on start up, but then stays dead after couple seconds.

My initial thought was vehicle speed sensor is fine since miles are being registered and a signal is getting to the odometer. I stopped by a shop today and they said there are multiple sensors coming off the transmission and it could be a few things. There is specific equipment just for the speedometer and it doesnt tie into the other gauges.

Is anyone familiar with the sensors enough to give me an idea of what needs to be swapped out? I might just hook up a scan gauge etc if that'll read properly, rather than spend the money on fixing the needle.

 

Right rear wheel ABS Sensor or its wiring if you have an automatic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTLlQeAdJ9M

There is a sensor on the transmission tail shaft if you have a manual.

 

Thanks! Its an auto. If it was the abs sensor I would think it would give me a check light. The shop knew it was an auto, when they checked the diagrams, I wonder why they would mention the sensor(s) on the transmission? Im going to pull out the cluster and inspect the abs sensor tomorrow to see if I can figure out whats up.

 

I see you have a 2005 model, high mileage?

When you pull the sensor in the wheel hub check to see if there are rubbing wear marks on the flat side of the sensor. If it is that indicates a worn wheel bearing as the sensor should never touch the tone ring.

 

Its fairly low milage for a 2005 but there are still a decent amount - 105k. I'll keep an eye out for the wear, thanks.

 

Please feedback what you find.

Thanks.

 

Speedometer gauge has been dead for a couple months and didn't have any intermittent signs of operating or movement.

Went about troubleshooting today, so for anyone with similar symptoms, here is how it went.

1. Checked sensor on the wheel - no damage.

2. Checked wiring coming off sensor for chaffing, burns, tears, breaks, etc. - no damage.

3. Checked other wires/plugs coming out of the same bundle/anti-chafe - no damage.

4. Pulled dash around the cluster, took off plexi cluster cover. Nudged the needle around a bit to check for binding/stickiness - no issues.

5. Started up truck, drove it around the block - still inop.

6. Disconnected cluster and removed. Checked wiring harnesses - no damage.

7. Dismantled cluster and checked for damaged solder points and traces - no damage.

8. Re-assembled cluster and plugged it back in, and drove around the block - Speedometer operating normally.

If I had to guess, I'd say pulling the cluster out and disconnecting it from the wiring was enough to reset whatever the issue was. The odometer saved the mileage, but the trip meters reset to zero upon disconnect. So I am guessing there is some sort of memory that resets upon voltage loss.

The only thing I did to the PCB while it was out was to clean/scrape off darkened residue that was some sort or resin or flux around a few of the solder joints. It was just on the surface and came off easy. I just wanted to see that there was no damage to the traces underneath. I doubt this had any effect, but who knows.