Speedometer problem, everything works but speed needle?
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: FL
Speedometer problem, everything works but speed needle?
Like title says, everything works, besides speed needle, so i first hooked it up to a computer and drove, and the computer picked up how fast i was going, so i thought it was a bad cluster, bought and paid $350 for a 100% working one, and does the exact same thing. someone else suggested speed sensors, my car has 2, so i replaced them both, no dice. car is a 98 lexus gs400. Are there any fuses, or wires i should trace, or any other suggestions? running out of options, would like to know how fast im going, and oh yeah, the mileage doesn't add up either it's at 82,700 miles. And I bought the car in this situation, so i dont know the history.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 32
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From: FL
I did remember when i switched the cluster, there was a blue wire that was cut but it was reconnected with a butt connector, so i thought maybe that it was not making a connection, so i cut it and added a jumper wire, and connected it together properly (so i knew) but made no difference. I also think it was a pink wire also that had the same thing, but i think someone just tapped in to those wires before.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Poland
well, the abs ecu knows your speed (because the computer displayed how fast you were going). The instrument cluster is probably OK (hard to believe that two of them would have the same problem), so your options are down to this wire and the sender in abs ecu.
The abs ecu generates pulses while driving. You should see them when you connect a voltmeter between this wire and any ground and drive about 12 mph.
The abs ecu generates pulses while driving. You should see them when you connect a voltmeter between this wire and any ground and drive about 12 mph.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 32
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From: FL
I hate to ask, and im sure I wont want to, but any idea what a abs ecu costs for this car? I will try the voltmeter sometime later when i get a chance. or a part number on it.
Last edited by Kip; Apr 5, 2010 at 12:28 PM.
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Rookie
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Poland
http://www.sewellpartsonline.com/***...l=202&year=159
89540-30390
price for new: $2323,08
Used ones should probably be around $50. However, I'm not sure whether it's plug&play - you will probably have to calibrate it with your car.
89540-30390
price for new: $2323,08
Used ones should probably be around $50. However, I'm not sure whether it's plug&play - you will probably have to calibrate it with your car.
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When I had a problem with this, I reset all the DTCs in the under hood box with a jumper wire. After resetting everything worked. The problem already happened when I lost traction in the snow.
Works fine for a month, I do a 540 degree spin out in the snow, everything stops working again. It happened on my road. I drive home, reset again it's all working.
This says to me it happens to my car when the front wheels lose traction. Coincidentally, when codes are reset. 2 Codes come back. Front ABS wheel sensors. When the speedo isn't working the car is throwing 12 codes.
I contacted you via PM on how to reset it. If that doesn't work, I'd get all the DTC codes scanned at Toyota or Lexus since you need their specialized scanners to do it and go from there.
Works fine for a month, I do a 540 degree spin out in the snow, everything stops working again. It happened on my road. I drive home, reset again it's all working.
This says to me it happens to my car when the front wheels lose traction. Coincidentally, when codes are reset. 2 Codes come back. Front ABS wheel sensors. When the speedo isn't working the car is throwing 12 codes.
I contacted you via PM on how to reset it. If that doesn't work, I'd get all the DTC codes scanned at Toyota or Lexus since you need their specialized scanners to do it and go from there.
The pins aren't labeled, so i just went to autozone had them do a diagnostic on it, nothing came back for odometer or speed, then had them reset, erase the codes, then drove off in high hopes, but needle stayed at 0 
No idea what else it could be.
^^^ PM I got from Kip.
Autozone scanners can't reset/read codes stored in the traction abs ECUs. You need to reset it via the under hood diagnostic port with a jumper wire. Let me find the instructions for you.
No idea what else it could be.^^^ PM I got from Kip.
Autozone scanners can't reset/read codes stored in the traction abs ECUs. You need to reset it via the under hood diagnostic port with a jumper wire. Let me find the instructions for you.
Open your hood. Locate the box in picture #1. Open the box as seen in picture #2. Remove the metal pin in the bottom inside of the box as seen in picture number 2. Take a wire cut on both ends and insert it into the two ports as seen in Picture #3 (notice pin is still in pic 3, it shouldn't be. Didn't feel like taking it out).
Go inside the car with the wire connected. Put key in ignition to on position but don't start car. Then pump the brake pedal rapidly for 5 seconds. You will see all your indash lights begin to flash on the dash. Take the key out. Turn the car on and drive it, hopefully your speedometer works. If not, then there is underlying sensor or wire issue.
Go inside the car with the wire connected. Put key in ignition to on position but don't start car. Then pump the brake pedal rapidly for 5 seconds. You will see all your indash lights begin to flash on the dash. Take the key out. Turn the car on and drive it, hopefully your speedometer works. If not, then there is underlying sensor or wire issue.
Rookie
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 55
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From: Poland
The problem already happened when I lost traction in the snow.
This says to me it happens to my car when the front wheels lose traction. Coincidentally, when codes are reset. 2 Codes come back. Front ABS wheel sensors. When the speedo isn't working the car is throwing 12 codes.
This says to me it happens to my car when the front wheels lose traction. Coincidentally, when codes are reset. 2 Codes come back. Front ABS wheel sensors. When the speedo isn't working the car is throwing 12 codes.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 45
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From: NY
I have the same issue; everything works but no speedo.
Although i thought is my voltage/low idle so i went and got a tps and still have to replace it. a mechanic that works on these cars all day told me to clean the inside of my throttle body and check vaccuum hoses. He used a snap on computer to pull codes and it pulled up all abs sensors on all four wheels -- he then cleared them and then started the car again and it came up with the two front abs sensors.
cost me a 6 pack and now I know I just need to replace my two front sensors or just check them/clean them.
Although i thought is my voltage/low idle so i went and got a tps and still have to replace it. a mechanic that works on these cars all day told me to clean the inside of my throttle body and check vaccuum hoses. He used a snap on computer to pull codes and it pulled up all abs sensors on all four wheels -- he then cleared them and then started the car again and it came up with the two front abs sensors.
cost me a 6 pack and now I know I just need to replace my two front sensors or just check them/clean them.