Speedometer quit - any ideas?
- Thread starter 4by4th
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
At first I thought the speed sensor is at fault but since you have indicated that the odometer still works I would think this rules out the speed sensor. Anyone please feel free to correct me if I am mistaken but if the sensor were bad I don't think the odometer would still work. So maybe it is the speedo head unit itself. Ahh Remeber the good old days of mechanical speedometers it was always a broken cable when the speedo did'nt work
4by4th
New member
My trusty mechanic thinks the problem's in the instrument cluster. I'd like to check wire connections to make sure nothing's loose, but can't even begin to get close from under the dash. I've seen a post on the forum to get to the radio, starting with the console. Is that the way to get behind the instrument cluster?
The thing works about 1 day per week now. Using the Etrex for speed the rest of the time.
The thing works about 1 day per week now. Using the Etrex for speed the rest of the time.
sharp4runr
New member
Here is a thread where a guy's tach failed: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20381&highlight=speedo
Dealer ended up replacing instrument cluster. Yours appears to have some miles on her so I'm not sure if it is still under warranty for you.
Dealer ended up replacing instrument cluster. Yours appears to have some miles on her so I'm not sure if it is still under warranty for you.
4by4th
New member
I found a place fairly close to home that said they can fix the instrument cluster, but I have to take it out and bring it to them.
There's no waranty at this point unless I can argue that the problem is due to the oil change damage.
Anybody on the forum know how to remove the instrument cluster? I bought a digital 2004 4R Repair Manual on-line over the weekend, but couldn't find anything in the 1600+ pdf pages.
There's no waranty at this point unless I can argue that the problem is due to the oil change damage.
Anybody on the forum know how to remove the instrument cluster? I bought a digital 2004 4R Repair Manual on-line over the weekend, but couldn't find anything in the 1600+ pdf pages.
Fro-Runner
New member
Have you tried the simply little self correction method to some of our 4Runner's problem---- disconnecting the battery for 10-15 minutes?
This solves an amazing amount of electronic glitches that seem to happen to modern day vehicles. Sort of like rebooting the computer and allowing it to do an internal type of MS "scandisk" to self correct its own problems. If you do it soon enough after a electronic glitch appears, then perhaps the reboot will reset the ECU.
This solves an amazing amount of electronic glitches that seem to happen to modern day vehicles. Sort of like rebooting the computer and allowing it to do an internal type of MS "scandisk" to self correct its own problems. If you do it soon enough after a electronic glitch appears, then perhaps the reboot will reset the ECU.
greasefingers
New member
These photos may help
Last edited:
Fro-Runner
New member
greasefingers said:These photos may help
Errrrrrrrrrr............... what photos?
greasefingers
New member
Ok here
4by4th
New member
I tried disconnecting the battery yesterday but it didn't do any good.
The pictures help a lot in seeing what's involved. Not sure what it's saying about the steering wheel stuff without pictures. Does it say the steering wheel assembly and covers need to be removed to get to the instrument cluster?
The pictures help a lot in seeing what's involved. Not sure what it's saying about the steering wheel stuff without pictures. Does it say the steering wheel assembly and covers need to be removed to get to the instrument cluster?
greasefingers
New member
Yes that is what it appears to be saying. But I do not exactly see why this needs to be done. I guess if you go that direction, then try to remove it without removing the steering wheel stuff.
4by4th
New member
I took it apart this afternoon, just like the photos show, and didn't have to do anything with the steering column. It was quick and easy. Took the instrument cluster in to have it repaired, which they said should take 2-3 days.
Driving without a gas gage will be a challenge, using GPS for speed, now without cruise control.
I'll update when I get it back and together.
Driving without a gas gage will be a challenge, using GPS for speed, now without cruise control.
I'll update when I get it back and together.
Any updates? How much did it cost to get it repaired?
It would be nice to know of a good repair solution that ends up being much cheaper than a whole new gauge cluster from Toyota. Now that this is the second one, it worries me since I'm also in Texas, which is a hot climate just like where TeryT lives (I think his was the first one on here that quit working)...
Ricky
It would be nice to know of a good repair solution that ends up being much cheaper than a whole new gauge cluster from Toyota. Now that this is the second one, it worries me since I'm also in Texas, which is a hot climate just like where TeryT lives (I think his was the first one on here that quit working)...
Ricky
4by4th
New member
RickyCRX said:
The place I took it for repair said they found something wrong with it and thought they fixed it, but I've taken it back twice now, still not working. Now they're replacing the needle and had some trouble ordering it.
I called the local stealer who said a new one was around $500, they couldn't tell me an exact price without the VIN. They actually gave me a price range that I don't recall off hand. The car has to be parked at the dealer before they can order it, and it takes 5-7 days for it to come in. They won't let you drive it after it's ordered because they have to program the odometer when odering.
This is a no win situation and I'm about over it.
I'll update when there's something new.
4by4th
New member
I'll be glad when these updates are over. My trusty local mechanic thought they fixed it after finding two bad spots on a circuit board and a loose speedometer needle, but it still didn't work. Now looking forward to $480 for a new cluster, ordered through my mechanic from the place that makes them for Toyota. Paying $60 extra so we don't have to wait 2 weeks. Imagine driving without your instrument cluster... obviously no speedometer, no gas gauge, no warning or indicator lights................................ the cruise control doesn
4by4th
New member
Hopefully this will be the last update. New cluster was installed this week and everything seems to be working. Seems like having a new car now that there are lit up guages behind those round holes in the dash. $600 about covered it, plus a couple months of taking the dash apart and putting it back together. I'll bet I can do it or tell somebody else how to do it in 10 minutes flat with tools in hand (or in the console in my case).
My mechanic found the place that makes the clusters for Toyota, who told him they're having a hard time keeping up with demand -- not a good thing to hear...
I don't think the failure had anything to do with Texas temperatures since I always park in a garage or under a full tree canopy. The cluster is pretty well isolated from external temperatures while driving too.
My mechanic found the place that makes the clusters for Toyota, who told him they're having a hard time keeping up with demand -- not a good thing to hear...
I don't think the failure had anything to do with Texas temperatures since I always park in a garage or under a full tree canopy. The cluster is pretty well isolated from external temperatures while driving too.
Cougar
Member
Tachometer quit
Yesterday my Tach quit working on my 2003 V8 Sport 4WD. I stopped by my local Toyota dealer today and they told me it would cost $250.00 just to diagnose it. I can't tell you what I told them. So after leaving without a diagnoses I checked the forum. I'm pretty certain my instrument cluster is ready to give up the ghost as I hear a whirring noise when starting the vehicle and the other instruments are starting to act up. I just had my 4-Runner in the shop 2 weeks ago for a complete fluid change, front and rear. Everything worked fine when I left, so I doubt that had anything to do with it, but you never know. My plan is to order a replacement and try to do it myself instead of having the dealership do it. I'm leaving on a trip this weekend, and I'm worried all my instruments will quit working. I guess I'll have a good excuse for the highway patrolman if he catches me speeding.
This forum is a great place and I appreciate everyone's comments.
Yesterday my Tach quit working on my 2003 V8 Sport 4WD. I stopped by my local Toyota dealer today and they told me it would cost $250.00 just to diagnose it. I can't tell you what I told them. So after leaving without a diagnoses I checked the forum. I'm pretty certain my instrument cluster is ready to give up the ghost as I hear a whirring noise when starting the vehicle and the other instruments are starting to act up. I just had my 4-Runner in the shop 2 weeks ago for a complete fluid change, front and rear. Everything worked fine when I left, so I doubt that had anything to do with it, but you never know. My plan is to order a replacement and try to do it myself instead of having the dealership do it. I'm leaving on a trip this weekend, and I'm worried all my instruments will quit working. I guess I'll have a good excuse for the highway patrolman if he catches me speeding.
This forum is a great place and I appreciate everyone's comments.
Cougar:
It may be the connections to the back of your instrument cluster got loose. There are two screws in front of the instrument cluster that hold the connectors in the back of the cluster in place and these loosen easily and cause the gauges to operate erradically or not at all. These screws at first glance can be mistaken as mounting screws for the cluster but actually secure the connectors in back of the cluster. Before spending money for a replacement unit I would just check the connections.
It may be the connections to the back of your instrument cluster got loose. There are two screws in front of the instrument cluster that hold the connectors in the back of the cluster in place and these loosen easily and cause the gauges to operate erradically or not at all. These screws at first glance can be mistaken as mounting screws for the cluster but actually secure the connectors in back of the cluster. Before spending money for a replacement unit I would just check the connections.
