SPONSORED LINKS

93 Corolla, Speedometer not working correctly

Tiny
LASHARK
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 ALL OTHER MAKES ALL OTHER MODELS
Hello experts! I have a 93' Corolla which the speedometer doesn't do anything till I hit about 40 mph at which then it will shoot to needle to the 60mph markings. I changed the cluster and the results were the same. The odometer and tripometer work perfectly. THanks in advance for the help!
SPONSORED LINKS
Saturday, December 23rd, 2006 AT 8:16 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Try the vehicle speed sensor at the tranny
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Saturday, December 23rd, 2006 AT 8:43 PM
Tiny
LASHARK
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Any idea if this is a difficult part to replace? I assume it needs to be replaced from under the car. Thanks for the quick reponse
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, December 24th, 2006 AT 8:48 PM
Tiny
GKROPER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Mine is doing the exact same thing. Seems to have coincided with replacement of a dead alternator, but the two problems may be unrelated. Alternator has been replaced but the speedo does EXACTLY what yours is doing.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007 AT 9:03 AM
Tiny
LASHARK
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I am in the process of getting the speed sensor replaced, used part off of EBAY since this part is nearly $200 new. Will let you know if this fixes the problem. Thanks!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 5th, 2007 AT 10:43 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Take it out-make sure its connected, cleaned-then turn key to On position and spin it-the speedometer should fluctuate, any wiggle will do-indicating its still good. No fluctutation= VSS or wiring problem, you might also have another one in the speedo head. Put it back in make sure its line properly and all the way in. Road Test.

Good Luck!
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 5th, 2007 AT 4:22 PM
Tiny
LASHARK
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
This was a job I won’t soon forget. I was unable to get the speed sensor out. Up about a quarter of a inch a best. So I just replaced the head of the full sensor unit. This is the piece that contains the circuit. Same results, bad speed readings. Had a buddy with one of the diagnosis units which indicated the sensor was reporting correctly. Actually had to drive with the diagnostic unit on my lap. I tried a different cluster unit with similar problems. Road Test, I think your assessment is correct, there must be wiring issues between the cluster and the sensor since the sensor must be giving the correct reading for the diagnostics to report the correct speed.

Not sure how to handle the wiring bit.

For those of you looking for where the speed sensor is on the 93 corolla, it is on top of the trans behind engine. Almost a perfect 12 o’clock position if you are standing in front of the car. You can only see it working for the right side of the hood.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+6
Saturday, January 6th, 2007 AT 11:50 PM
Tiny
LASHARK
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Ok, since I am convinced that my speedometer problem is not the Speed Sensor and most likely not the Cluster that it must be the wiring. Since the diagnostics retrieved the correct speed readings, I can eliminate the wiring from the speed sensor.

So, this leaves me with the wiring from the cluster to wherever the hell it goes. Does anyone have suggestions to replacing/testing this portion of the wiring. I know very little about cars so be easy on me with the terms.

Thanks!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, January 8th, 2007 AT 9:54 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Here's the VSS configurations:

1. From tranny or transaxle Vss to ECM
2. " Tranny or transaxle thru combination meter Vss to ECM
3. " Tranny or transaxle Vss thru combination meter to ECM
4. From Wheel Speed Sensor to ABS computer thru combination meter to ECM

PCM/ECM/ECU=The Computer
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 8th, 2007 AT 2:13 PM
Tiny
LASHARK
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Are most ECU's located behind the dashboard? I am hoping it is just the wire between the cluster and ECU. Sounds simple, I think
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 8th, 2007 AT 9:45 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Not really familiar with that model-you said earlier you can track it with the scantool. Do you have a manual cause they are different configurations on how the speed sensors are wired and how many involved. I hope am right, you're looking for a Brn and white for the signal wire and a brown for a ground-that's coming from the speed sensor-dunno from the cluster to ecm might change color from there.

BTW how did you check the sensor-that you're getting the correct speed.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, January 9th, 2007 AT 2:38 AM
Tiny
LASHARK
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
A buddy of mine has the "Snap-On" diagnositc unit. Normally when I drive, there is no reaction from the Speedometer until I hit about 40mph where then it jumps to 60 in reading. The Snap-on diagnositc unit showed differently. As I accelerated from 0 on up, the speed reading where correct.

So, this is why I have elimated the Speed Sensor, the ECU and the wiring between the Speed Sensor and the ECU. Last causes left are the cluster and the wiring from the cluster. I did change the cluster, possible the replacement is bad too, and saw simliar results. This leaves me with the wiring from the cluster to the ECU. Boy I hope it is easy as it sounds. LOL
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Tuesday, January 9th, 2007 AT 7:25 AM
Tiny
LASHARK
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Since I already replaced the cluster with a used one I purchased on EBAY I almost ruled this out as the problem. Only thing that made me second guess my assumption was the speedometer on the replacement cluster was not working the same way as the original cluster. It was somewhat similar but still erratic reading. This was enough that I ordered a third cluster. Well, this did the trick and all is working now. Glad I did it because the wiring going into some blue box in the dash looked chaotic.

Now with a different odometer reading, I guess I have to document the change with the different mileage reading.

Thanks for all the help gang!
SPONSORED LINKS
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, January 13th, 2007 AT 11:09 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Glad, you got it going again.
Good Luck!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, January 14th, 2007 AT 3:55 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
[quote="lashark"]Since I already replaced the cluster with a used one I purchased on EBAY I almost ruled this out as the problem. Only thing that made me second guess my assumption was the speedometer on the replacement cluster was not working the same way as the original cluster. It was somewhat similar but still erratic reading. This was enough that I ordered a third cluster. Well, this did the trick and all is working now. Glad I did it because the wiring going into some blue box in the dash looked chaotic.

Now with a different odometer reading, I guess I have to document the change with the different mileage reading.

Don't forget to donate-maybe next time its nothing there to read. Its free99 who won't take advantage. It takes money to run this site.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, January 14th, 2007 AT 3:58 AM
Tiny
LASHARK
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Already donated via paypal but is not the same email link to this site. This site is very informative!
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, January 14th, 2007 AT 2:28 PM
Tiny
DCONYERS5
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
You can get a new one here for 50 bucks.
http://www.1aauto.com/speed-sensor/i/1atrs00131?f=449522&y=1993&utm_campaign=gb_csv_br&utm_content=TRS&gclid=CLDrn4jg_L8CFSMV7AodbBUA6A
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Thursday, August 7th, 2014 AT 12:53 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Instrument Cluster Gauge Speedometer Not Working Content

VIEW MORE

Sponsored links