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Speedometer not working

Tiny
FGOERTZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 97,000 MILES
I have noticed that the speedometer occasionally does not work. 3 days ago it would read 40mph and stay stuck there regardless if I were driving faster, but it would drop to zero after coming to a stop. No engine light comes on the dashboard. Today it is working fine. Is the problem with the speedometer sensor or speedometer head? No other instruments/gauges are affected. Is there a way to test if the sensor is good or bad without buying a new one and replacing it?
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Thursday, March 20th, 2008 AT 9:57 AM

12 Replies

Tiny
MTHDJIM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
See diagram


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/452729_Fontier_Speed_Sensor_Troubleshooting_1.jpg

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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 AT 12:43 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,526 POSTS
It sounds like you have a vehicle speed sensor that is going out though I have seen bad connections do this as well. Remove the cluster and unplug it. Then plug it back in again. This will clean the connections helps the cluster work again. Here are some wiring diagrams so you can see how the circuit works.

Use the guide to check the wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

and this to test the fuses

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, November 10th, 2017 AT 7:28 PM
Tiny
JAMES999
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER
I have a 1998 Nissan Frontier Pickup, manual transmission, with 95,000 miles on it. Recently, the speedometer has been not working properly. When I start moving the truck, the speedometer needle jumps to 40 MPH and stays there until I stop. After I come to a complete stop, the needle comes back down to zero. All of the other gauges on the instrument panel seem to work, the digital odometer, the fuel gauge and the temperature gauge.
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Friday, November 10th, 2017 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FRONTYMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Try taking the cluster out and cleaning the contacts with contact cleaner. Its very easy to get the cluster out also.
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Friday, November 10th, 2017 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KOOKIEDOO10
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
Whats the cause of the speedometer not working in a 98 nissan frontier?
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Friday, November 10th, 2017 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check and test the vehicle speed sensor.
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Friday, November 10th, 2017 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIM1754
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
2002 nissan frontier 4x4 with 3.3 v6 on the highway speedo suddenly stopped working, 30 secs or so later engine started losing power and speed fast. Got off the highway and stopped and idled for a little while then took some secondary roads. Seemed ok at lower speeds but speedo still didnt work. Code showed a knock sensor, Could these two problems be related, or did 1 cause the other? Any ideas would be great.
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Friday, November 10th, 2017 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If the knock sensor is failing it will retard the ignition timing and cause it to lose power also check the vehicle speed sensor-
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Friday, November 10th, 2017 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TIM1754
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the info about the knock sensor. Thought about the speed sensor as far the speedo goes but didnt think it would affect the engine. Will definitely check and/or replace both. Thanks again!
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Friday, November 10th, 2017 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
You're welcomed and thanks for using 2carpros
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Friday, November 10th, 2017 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BUCKAROUX
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 56,000 MILES
2002 Nissan Frontier 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 56000 miles

my speedometer quit suddenly and now the cruise control doesnt work
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Friday, November 10th, 2017 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Get the vehicle speed sensor tested
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Friday, November 10th, 2017 AT 7:29 PM (Merged)

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