Okay- so im a brand new here and i'm trying to figure out what the heck is wrong with my car. Had it since new- it's a 2wd V6 with only 59k miles...but this speedometer thing died on me like 15k miles ago...
I have taken it to toyota- i have taken it to an import mechanic. The import mech was a schmuck--and toyota has never seen this before and they just want to replace the cluster to the tune of $1000.00. But didn't say it would fix the problem! The miles are still accumulating, but the mileage flashes constantly. Toyota also broke my Distance to empty and MPG thingie underneath the heater switch. Now it shows I get 7 miles to the gallon, when it always recalculated correctly after i'd get a new tank of gas. I've always gotten between 17mpg and 23 in this car- and the mileage calc was correct! The thing that is wierd, is that the fuel gauge is still working, but all the other gauges are dead. It worked intermittently a few times before it finally crapped out. I'd start the car and it would be off- then i'd start it again and it would still work. I live in colorado so it does get cold here, but the car is always garaged and rarely drives in snow (because it's not 4WD!).
Please all you guru's out there, can you give me an idea of what the problem REALLY is- and if I were to purchase a used cluster, who besides toyota could recalibrate all my electronics, like my mpg calc or am i at the mercy of the dealer?

Welcome aboard! Press the "Reset" button 'til it says 0.

Sounds like the transmission mounted vehicle speed sensor (VSS) is bad or disconnected. Bet cruise doesn't work either. Simple ($200) fix - yota tech should have immediately caught it before trying to push new speedometer gauge. There's probably one in the speedo too - and perhaps that's what he was getting at.

Interesting- I will have to check and see if the cruise doesn't work- I rarely use it, so im not sure... where is this thing located? actually ON the transmission?
Thanks for the input!!!

You also stated the other gauges are not working either.Are there any aftermarket items installed.It sounds like it is an electrical issue since you have several gauges not working.Sounds to me like the circuit board in the cluster is bad.I have been a Honda tech for 15 years,If this was a Honda in my shop I would get the ETM and check to see where all these inop gauges where linked ,most like would be in the cluster assembly.Although I have seen instances where its just as simple as a fuse or a bad pin fitment at a connector,thats why you need a ETM.I think the dealer is your best bet for a problem like this.

the only aftermarket part i have on the car is satellite radio-
but i had that put in when it was new...and this didn't happen until forty something thousand miles...do you think it could be related? the tech's kept asking about the external modulator and I could tell that they were wondering if it was related...not sure.
I did have the dealer look at it- they had it for two days. Said they weren't "sure" so their only "best guess" was the cluster.

I dont think the satellite radio is the problem,its definately electrical though,maybe cluster or fusebox.I think you may need to try a new dealer,If this truck was at my dealer I'm sure I could fix it,and any good tech would say the same,all you need is a good tech.Sometimes I find the same car on the lot and start swapping parts with problems like this.This makes my job easier and saves the customer lots of money.Yeah I work at a dealer and I really care about my customers,I know that's rare these days.Good luck keep us updated.