maybe368

My speedo kind of died by degrees and I am hoping that the symptoms might let you guys point me to the likely problem. It first started bouncing, but was close to the correct speed (I also have gps), but then it would bounce more and indicate a slower speed. Now it is not moving at all. The odometer pretty much did the same, slowed down then stopped. When I first got the truck the odo didnt work, but the speedo did. I fixed that from the sticky and it worked for 11 or 12 years. So my question is: Is it more likely to be a sender or other problem at the tc end or a problem in the gauge cluster? Thanks guys, carry on...Mark

rrgrassi

Did you replace the odo gears with factory or with aftermarket? The aftermarket ones I got seems far superior to the OEM.

Do you have another speedometer head you can use for testing? I do not know how to test for stepper motor voltage or signal.

maybe368

I bought the aftermarket, pricey ones from the sticky. I don't have an extra head. I am going to get my FSM and see if there is speedo trouble shooting in it. I am kind of hoping that someone had similar problems and can direct me, thanks ...Mark

rrgrassi

I do miss the cable driven units. Much easier to diagnose and repair.

maybe368

Yeah, the good ole days actually had some things good. I am going to pull the stuff out of the tc first, to see if there is anything obvious, then I'll take the cluster out. The only good thing about that is that when I put leds in the cluster from the sticky, I put a really too bright one in the brights indicator, it's ...Mark

Mick-e

It might be as simple as the Vehicle speed sensor also known as the transmission speed sensor. I've replaced mine a couple of times.
Unfortunately for me this most recent speedo / overdrive failure that trick did not work.

maybe368

What a coincidence, I went out there a while ago and looked at the assembly on the TC. It turns out that there is a tight fit spline assembly that connects the nut that connects to the TC to the rest of it. The assembly looked a little crooked, so I grabbed it and it came apart in my hand. The splined shaft had pulled free. I took it apart and the gears and other parts are in pretty good shape, but the grease was petrified. I cleaned it all up, greased it and applied a little hammer action to the splined part and put it all back together. I haven't tested it yet because I have a big slab of granite in the back and no help to take it out. I have no doubt that it is going to work, but we will see tomorrow...Mark

thrashingcows

You can get a VSS from pretty much any dodge truck, dakota, van from around 1991-1994-ish. Replace the VSS and see if the speedo works.

maybe368

Thanks for the info. If it works, I'll run it until it croaks, but it is nice to know that there are options...Mark

jbawden

Mine was bouncing the other day, mechanicals looked fine but sprayed some Deoxit in the electrical connection at the sending unit while is was down there, problem solved.

maybe368

Well, she works, smooth as silk, I just love it when a hammer is the tool of choice that works. We'll see how long, hopefully another 300k...Mark