Speedometer not working in a YJ

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[Jeepfan555]

Currently my speedometer is not working.  I'm not sure if it just stopped or hasn't worked since I replaced the front and rear axles.  I replaced the stock D30 & D35 with D44 front & 9in rear.  The gear ratios were about the same at 4.10 or 4.11.  I know the speedometer gear is in the transfer case because I have replaced it a few years back to get a more accurate reading.  I notice every once in a while the speedometer will jump then go back to 0mph.  It does it randomly with no real pattern.  I really don't know anything about the speedometer if its manual or electric based for getting it to work. 

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

[Posimoto]

(if equipped with cable) Did you check cable connections for tightness at the t-case and the back of the speedo?

If both are tight I would work from the t-case back, first with a drill attached to the cable and have a friend check for movement at the speedo.

I know the older CJ speedos have a very small oil hole that usually gets covered with dirt and most don't know its there, lack of oil would cause the needle to bounce, not sure if you can oil a yj speedo (too new for me).

[XJFever]

(if equipped with cable) Did you check cable connections for tightness at the t-case and the back of the speedo?

If both are tight I would work from the t-case back, first with a drill attached to the cable and have a friend check for movement at the speedo.

I know the older CJ speedos have a very small oil hole that usually gets covered with dirt and most don't know its there, lack of oil would cause the needle to bounce, not sure if you can oil a yj speedo (too new for me).

.....is there anything you don't know about jeeps?

[Axle]

I'll answer that for him, no

[HEYzipupyourfly]

Currently my speedometer is not working. 

Get over it......

[Crown Automotive - Jeff]

your speed sensor probably died. mine would bounce and drop, then come back, and one day didn't. replaced it and all good. give me a buzz if you need one.

[thewrangler]

(if equipped with cable) Did you check cable connections for tightness at the t-case and the back of the speedo?

If both are tight I would work from the t-case back, first with a drill attached to the cable and have a friend check for movement at the speedo.

I know the older CJ speedos have a very small oil hole that usually gets covered with dirt and most don't know its there, lack of oil would cause the needle to bounce, not sure if you can oil a yj speedo (too new for me).

i had the wire speedometer an no you cant oil it, i would have x2 on the loose cable.
or maybe a bad grounding?

[jps4jeep]

IIRC, Mike's YJ does not have a cable, I think 91 was the cut off year and they went to a VSS sensor, I think Mikes yj is a 93. I would start with the VSS as they are not too pricey. If replacing it does not solve the issue, take out the guage and clean all the contacts and check to see if your getting any power to the speedo, if so then you will have to check for Ohms while moving, I honestly do not know the exact value, but if you're getting any resistance at all, probably the guage, if the VSS is new and you get absolutely no resistance, issue lies somewhere else, broken wire or something.

[Jeepfan555]

Thank you for all the information.  The jeep is a 95 and it is not a cable but a wired plug connect.  I did get under it this weekend and found that the sensor/plug like thing coming out of the transfer case is able to spin and seemed loose.  I tightened it up but still nothing.  I think it actually might be the sensor/plug thing.  I spoke with Jeff at Crown and I'm going to try my luck with a new sensor. 

Thanks again guys.

[mika401]

It would be a good thing to also check the connection at the back of the Speed/Tach pod.  They have a tendency to corrode over time and make a bad connection

[jps4jeep]

Spinning vss sensor wouldn't much matter, the sensor only has to measure the reluctor ring, clocking should not effect it. But it might be junk if crap got in there.

 

[jps4jeep]

I take back that last statement, the later yj does not use a reluctor ring, it still uses a gear that meshes with the corresponding gear on the out put shaft, and both are plastic. that gear spins the VSS.