Speedometer Erratic or Possessed!

[HonkinDiesel]

It started after one of my off road outings. My speedometer went very erratic. When I kicked in the cruise control I take off like a rocket and then slow down reacting with the speedometer. I pulled the guage panel out of the dash and did a visual check for anything obvious in the circuitry and couldn't find anything obvious. I tried tracing the wiring but could not find the problem. I think I am going to need the wiring diagram to get the whole picture. I just wanted to know if anyone else has run into this situation and can shed a little light on the subject?

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PBaetz

 

[preleeguy]

I had the same problem a while back. I found the conection where the speedo cable screws into the trans was loose. Quick fix just tighten it up and your done. Don't be too sure it's electrical, thats what I did and wasted a lot of time hunting. Good Luck.

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92 D250 5spd 3. 54 std cab, Banks exhaust,Isspro EGT&Boost gages,18cm Turbo.
67 Dodge R/T
67 Charger
98 Grand Cherokee
97 Stratus
Mopar Only Here
Tulsa 2000 Survivor.

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

preelee is right same thing on my truck. Speedo would work fine most of the time. Then not work at all then suddenly work again. I got under the truck and the cable was loose i tightened it and no more problems.

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93 D250 5sp 3. 54 gears sans muffler, ISSPRO tach, K&N filter, needs to be bombed BAD
I would rather be cummin than stroken

 

[paccool]

Havn't had the speedo problem but have had the cruise problems. May not be related in this case but mine turned out to be the brake light switch out of position. The 93's have a switch that simply pushes into the housing and if I bump the brake pedel in the upward direction the switch pushes back away from the pedel. Does it all the time and all I need to do is push the switch back into the housing and the problem is cured. One of these days I'm going to tie the switch into place. Hope your problem turns out to be something this simple.

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, PW Injectors,Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 31/2" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, new 40-20-40 bucket seats, 149K

 

[HonkinDiesel]

Thanks for the tips. I can sure appreciate this forum. Thanks to you folks who are willing to share your knowledge with the rest of us. Once I get the quirks worked out of this baby of mine, I plan to see if I can tweek a few more ponies under the hood. I got some good info from past postings. Thanks a bunch. I'll let y'all know how this situation went hopefully this weekend.

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PBaetz
93'RAM 250;std cab 2wd; Engine Model B5. 9-160 ;5. 9 L3; 160 HP; 400 ft-lbs torque;Date of Manufacture: 1992/08/21

 

[paccool]

COOL!! I just noticed that I have 300 posts.

YEEHA. #ad


Stan

 

[AlK]

Took the old diesel for a run today, but to my horror noticed right after I left my house, that the speedometer went bonkers. After driving for about 15 minutes it settled down and started working properly again. I guess I will have to crawl under the truck and check the speedometer connection to the transmission. I must say these posts have been very timely.
---
Al

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92-LE,4x4,5spd,3. 54,Borgeson steering shaft, Tach,Isspro Pyro & Boost, 16cm2, PW injectors

[This message has been edited by Al Kungel (edited 02-16-2001). ]

 

[HonkinDiesel]

Well I checked the speed/distance sensor connection off the transmission it looked pretty good, so I gave it a shot of contact cleaner cleaned it up anyway while I was down there. I noticed that the sensor also had a lube nipple so I gave it a couple shots of lithium grease. Speedo is still no good. Then I followed the sensor line up to the main connector and checked and cleaned it out. Again the speedo no good. I am thinking
either the speedometer sensor is shot or I am back into the dash board again. Anyway all the manuals I purchased for this baby does not show me the schematic for the Speedometer circuit (I have the Hayes, Chilton, and all Cummins manuals).
Is there still any help me out there?

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PBaetz
93'RAM 250;std cab 2wd; Engine Model B5. 9-160 ;5. 9 L3; 160 HP; 400 ft-lbs torque;Date of Manufacture: 1992/08/21

 

[paccool]

Peter,

Give me a little time - I'll look to see if I have any schematics on this.



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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N air filter, PW Injectors,rebuilt and tweaked pump, auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 3-1/2" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, new 40-20-40 bucket seats, 151K

 

[Harlan]

My 93 did the same thing. I do a lot of off road. Also we have a lot of snow and ice in this country. Replaced the sender on the trans for the speedo. It worked fine for one year then went out agen. Replaced with new unit and diped it in silicon blue, the units are not sealed well and woter get in and fowl up the pulse generator. This was 4 years ago and no truble since.

=== 93-4/4 flat bed set for 5th wheel towing. Big turbo and pump. 4" from turbo out. 34lb boost and no heat.

 

[Paychk]

Hello I new to this forum and web site, but I may be able to help. My speedo was inop on my truck and when I disassembled the speed sensor drive at the transmission the drive tang on the gear reducer was worn and stripped out so the sensor wasn't being driven. I used JB weld to adhere the tang to the gear, the tang is hex on one side and square on the other. the hex side was the one worn. to take apart the reducer you will need a 7/8 tappet wrench and grind it to 1/8" thickness, this will allow you to completely dissassemble the drive. To verify if this is the problem, take off the sensor and use a drill motor to drive it, if it works that way you'll know it is a mechanical problem or electric. I hope this helps.

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89 D350 5 spd Getrag 3. 54 Reg Cab w/ 92 front sheet metal and engine. Stock 179,000

 

[paccool]

Well, in the hour that I've been looking at the manuals, you got a couple of good responses to your problem. After looking at wiring diagrams, I tend to agree with them or would at least start at the transmission sensor. The signal also goes to or from the PCM, can't figure out which way it is. Goes through a "grey" plug at the rear of the engine and then on to the printed circut board at the dash area.

Looks like the signal is either 5 volts or 8 volts. This is not a "cut and dried" diagram and is hard to follow.

Sorry I can't pinpoint the area better. If you have a fax, I can send the dodge diagram to you if you want. Will have to be tomorrow though. Let me know.

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N air filter, PW Injectors,rebuilt and tweaked pump, auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 3-1/2" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, new 40-20-40 bucket seats, 151K

 

[HonkinDiesel]

Thank you all very much for your input. #ad
Stan, I sent you my FAX NO. , I'll start checking around for a replacement sensor as I got the feeling that is where the problem is! I'll also check out the voltage to and from the sensor sometime this week. Looks like I might get this thing nailed down after all #ad


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PBaetz
93'RAM 250 LE; Fire Engine Red; Std cab 2wd; Engine: B5. 9-160 ;Transmission: Getrag G-360; 400 ft-lbs torque; and working on improving it all.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Before you guys tear into the wiring you might want to check this out. If you are driving a 5sp - 2 on 4 wheel drive - check the nut that holds the output flange on the transmission in place. I had the same problem and it was solved by tightening this nut. The speedo drive gear is kept tight by this nut - it acts as a jamb nut and needs to be very tight. You might want to put some loc-tite on it also. If it works it will be the cheapest and easiest fix. Good Luck.
Happy Trails

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1993 250 4X2 - Banks Power Pack, BD Power Injectors, K&N Air Filter, 6 gauges and tweaked pump. 27lbs boost unloaded.
Horton fan & NV4500 5 speed.

 

[paccool]

Peter,

Didn't get all the file you sent. Please resend the Fax number. I sent you an E-mail but didn't hear back so make sure the address is right.

Stan

 

[HonkinDiesel]

Sorry Stan;
I just got home, I got your E-mail and re-sent the message. I don't know why it didn't go through! If it doesn't get through this time, I'll post the number here.

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PBaetz
93'RAM 250 LE; Fire Engine Red; Std cab 2wd; Engine: B5. 9-160 ;Transmission: Getrag G-360; 400 ft-lbs torque; and working on improving it all.

 

[AlK]

Finally got under the old truck today to look at the speedometer component assembly. I noticed that oil was leaking where the driven gear screws into the transfer case. In fact the gear was so loose that you could turn it by hand. After removal of the whole mechanism I cleaned everything up and re-installed it. I know this has fixed the oil leak and hopefully the erratic speedometer . If the speedometer will act up again I will change the distance sensor.
---
Al

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92-LE,4x4,5spd,3. 54,Borgeson steering shaft, Tach,Isspro Pyro & Boost, 16cm2, PW injectors

 

[HonkinDiesel]

Yup it was the sensor! I took out the sensor and clean it up with a bit of WD 40, then slapped her back in with a new gasket and grease... she work like a charm. Thanks for for all your help boys! #ad



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PBaetz
93'RAM 250 LE; Fire Engine Red; Std cab 2wd; Engine: B5. 9-160 ;Transmission: Getrag G-360; 400 ft-lbs torque; and working on improving it all.