miyagi
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Sunday, December 23, 2018 7:26 AM
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Speedometer issue
Hi, I have just registered and already requesting for assistance. I am having issues with my electronic cluster speedometer intermittent reading and needle fluctuating on my 1994 MR2 SW20 with E153 gearbox. I have tried process of elimination as follows: 1. Wired individual wiring from electronic speed sensor at engine to cluster on dash (success) 2. Electrical pulse test on speed sensor using multi-meter (success) 3. Connected speed sensor to adapter and driven by battery drill, all appears correct at the cluster (success) 4. Plastic gear on speed sensor at 30 - 35, in working condition (28mm diameter and 30 teeth) in question if diameter is correct. 5. Inspected Vehicle Speed Pulse Generator Drive Gear (blue coloured plastic helical gear) using mirror and light via access hole for speed sensor assembly (appears to be serviceable as it is rotating and what appears to be no sign of wear or damage) 6. Installed speed sensor assembly to gearbox without electric sensor cover to observe rotation of shaft (intermittent rotation) with engine running in gear on stands) I would kindly like to request for additional suggestions on other possible causes for speedometer not working. Would I have to remove the whole engine and gearbox assembly to replace the Generator Drive Gear or is it manageable to be done whilst engine and gearbox assembly is still in the vehicle. Many thanks and have a great day. Miyagi
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GDII
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Re: Speedometer issue
Sunday, December 23, 2018 8:15 AM
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Possible the capacitors in the gauge are bad? They get old and leak or overheat. This is a known problem for speedos but more specific to the RPM or Tacho gauge.
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Spaceresearcher
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Re: Speedometer issue
Sunday, December 23, 2018 12:53 AM
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Hello Miyagi, As a MK1 MR2 enthusiast and having had a speedometer issue myself not too long ago I thought I'd put forward an idea for you. With what you have tested and verified to be working it's highly possible that the speedo cable to gearbox is possibly not connected correctly. I had an issue with mine where the speedo was jumping around ever so slightly and what I found was the following The connection to the gearbox must be installed with the speedo cable indenture nodule lining up with the connection in the gearbox other wise it will most certainly not work correctly. If that's correct then check that you have installed the connection down firm and tight ALL the way. Mine once managed to wind it's way loose. Tightening it up and checking verified it worked just fine. Failing these 2 check points, I'd be pulling out the speedo cable to check that it's not fraying etc as this will most certainly give you mixed and intermittent results. Sadly they can wear out, especially if not installed correctly. On that note, be sure that your speedo cable is routed as per Toyota standard manufacture. Failure to do so can also lead to strange Speedo issues. Hope one of these fix it points works and that you have your MR2 working perfectly as it always should be. Drive on and continue to enjoy your MR2 Miyagi, Sean. (Spaceresearcher)
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GDII
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Re: Speedometer issue
Sunday, December 23, 2018 6:11 PM
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Spaceresearcher Hello Miyagi, As a MK1 MR2 enthusiast and having had a speedometer issue myself not too long ago I thought I'd put forward an idea for you. With what you have tested and verified to be working it's highly possible that the speedo cable to gearbox is possibly not connected correctly. I had an issue with mine where the speedo was jumping around ever so slightly and what I found was the following The connection to the gearbox must be installed with the speedo cable indenture nodule lining up with the connection in the gearbox other wise it will most certainly not work correctly. If that's correct then check that you have installed the connection down firm and tight ALL the way. Mine once managed to wind it's way loose. Tightening it up and checking verified it worked just fine. Failing these 2 check points, I'd be pulling out the speedo cable to check that it's not fraying etc as this will most certainly give you mixed and intermittent results. Sadly they can wear out, especially if not installed correctly. On that note, be sure that your speedo cable is routed as per Toyota standard manufacture. Failure to do so can also lead to strange Speedo issues. Hope one of these fix it points works and that you have your MR2 working perfectly as it always should be. Drive on and continue to enjoy your MR2 Miyagi, Sean. (Spaceresearcher)
His is electronic so the cable doesn't exist. It has a sender on the Gearbox and uses purple or purple with white wires to send the signal to the gauge then back to the ECU.
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Falcon
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Re: Speedometer issue
Sunday, December 23, 2018 9:57 PM
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☄ Helpfulby miyagi Monday, December 24, 2018 2:43 AM
If instrument checks out (smooth operation) when spinning speed sensor with drill then it really points toward the engagement of the speed sensor to the blue plastic drive gear located on the diff. Only needs the slightest distortion of a tooth on that drive gear to cause the speedo needle to flick. Does the flick change in frequency as the speed increases ? Gearbox has to be completely disassembled to change the plastic drive gear. It is unusual for this to happen on an electronic speedo setup as there is very little load to drive the speed sensor. Also be very careful running it in gear while up on stands. One foot hovering over brake pedal !! And if wheels are removed do put some nuts back on to keep brake discs from flapping about. Let us know how you get on with it.
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miyagi
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Re: Speedometer issue
Monday, December 24, 2018 3:31 AM
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Gents, I hope that I've use the correct area to reply as I can't locate a reply button for individual responses. First and foremost I appreciate all your prompt replies. GDII Thankyou. Initial attempt to rectify speedometer issue was to replace all associated damaged capacitors by a very knowledgeable MR2 friend. Unfortunately issue continued. SPACERESEARCHER Thankyou. I'm operating an electronic speed sensor so no mechanical cable. FALCON Thankyou. The fluctuation of the needle is inconsistent and indication of speed is also incorrect. I should have also mentioned that the vehicle originally had a mechanical speed sensor which upon removing I found that the plastic gear sub-assembly on shaft was damaged. Therefore I decided to replace it with a used serviceable electronic speed sensor plastic gear 30-35, hence installing individual wires (with much knowledgeable assistance from my MR2 friend). Yes, totally agree regarding the little load to drive the speed sensor should it originally was electronic sensor (which unfortunately I overlooked to mentioned that it use to be a mechanical drive) so damage may have already been done to the Blue plastic drive gear. I can only assume that removing the gearbox could not be achieved whilst in the vehicle. I appreciate your concern regarding working safely as I can assure you that I have place additional rated stands beneath the vehicle and on level footings. Many thanks and have a great day.
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Falcon
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Re: Speedometer issue
Monday, December 24, 2018 9:57 PM
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The old mechanical cable drive seizes (usually the angle drive) and overloads the plastic gears. Probably damaged the plastic gear on the diff. Doesn't take much. Gearbox can be removed with engine in car but it's possibly better to lower engine and gearbox down to floor. Much easier for aligning gearbox into clutch when reassembling. Less likely to ruin a brand new clutch and have to redo the whole lot again. Then the gearbox has to be completely dismantled to get to the plastic drive gear on the diff. That's quite a significant job too.
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Reddtarga
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Re: Speedometer issue
Tuesday, December 25, 2018 1:09 AM
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Engine out = PITA, so just a couple of thoughts: I have recently fitted a 7" Android head unit that apart from all the other stuff on it also has a good reliable installed GPS program, and while driving I mostly have that app running so I can use the speed indication on it. IMO it is probably easier to read than the OEM speedo that I now hardly ever look at. The GPS is more accurate anyway, important when setting my cruise control so as not to exceed the speed limit in strict enforcement areas. Another cheap, and simple alternative to the OEM speedo might be one of the better 'heads up units' (HUD).
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Reddtarga
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Re: Speedometer issue
Tuesday, December 25, 2018 2:15 AM
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Falcon Gearbox can be removed with engine in car but it's possibly better to lower engine and gearbox down to floor. Much easier for aligning gearbox into clutch when reassembling. Less likely to ruin a brand new clutch and have to redo the whole lot again.
Doug, yes important not to do that. I don't know whether it would work with a turbo box, but when I refitted my S54 box with the engine still in the car, to get the right alignment I maneuvered the gearbox so that one at a time I could fit 4 temporary mounting bolts from the gearbox to the engine that were slightly longer than stock. This allowed the correct alignment with the gap between mounting flanges of the gearbox and engine large enough so that the input shaft and clutch splines were not yet engaged. I then simply slid the gearbox along the bolts till the shaft went in. But even then of course aligning the clutch splines was still a PITA. But what a wonderful feeling when those flanges go together and you can refit the stock bolts.
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miyagi
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Re: Speedometer issue
Wednesday, December 26, 2018 1:38 PM
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Reddtarga Thankyou for your response and suggestions. I'm currently still working on the vehicle in preparation to get it registered and yes I've ask the question regarding the installation of a GPS speedometer device, unfortunately the reply was NO. Should I have to remove the box to repair the speedometer drive gear I'll would much prefer not having to remove the whole motor and gearbox assembly.
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PureMR2
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Re: Speedometer issue
Wednesday, December 26, 2018 2:49 PM
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☄ Helpfulby miyagi Monday, February 04, 2019 2:31 AM
Hi, I find it interesting that you mentioned your 94 transmission has a blue speedo ring gear they are usually yellowy/white for that year in all the transmissions i've seen (they changed in December 1991 as far as i'm aware), we sell the late model speedo ring, see here: https://www.puremr2.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=177&search=speedo but maybe you have had a earlier model transmission swapped in at some stage? Maybe there is a possible mismatch between the speedo sub-gear assembly drive cogs and the transmission drive cog if you're running a electronic sender. Do you know the history of your transmission?
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Reddtarga
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Re: Speedometer issue
Thursday, December 27, 2018 0:21 PM
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miyagi Should I have to remove the box to repair the speedometer drive gear I'll would much prefer not having to remove the whole motor and gearbox assembly.
Obviously the advantage of doing it that way is that you don't need to disconnect the wiring loom, coolant, and A/C pipes. A PITA to put all that back, especially re-bleeding the system etc. But to remove the trans with the engine still in the car if you want to do the work yourself you will need to read up on it since it can be a tricky job, depending on what facilities you have. Things to consider: First how to safely support the car, then after removing the rear X member suspension and drive shafts, you'll need to work out how to safely support the engine on the passenger side, since you will only have one engine mount left on the driver's side. IMO a block of wood under the sump on a trolley jack is a risky operation; if it slips - disaster, although I'm sure people have used it. I solved this problem by fabricating a bar across the strut towers so I could securely support the engine from above. The whole assembly will also need to be lowered slightly on the passenger side so the trans. will clear the chassis to get it out, and transmissions are heavy suckers so you'll need something to raise/lower it unless you have been spending a lot of time at the gym. I had the use of a car hoist for this job as well as an engine crane, and trolley jack. Even so it was still a tricky operation, but quite feasible.
post edited by Reddtarga - Thursday, December 27, 2018 0:33 PM
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Guest
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Re: Speedometer issue
Thursday, December 27, 2018 6:17 AM
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Before the big pull apart... What state are you in? Is it worth trying another cluster or new speedo sender unit in case something is dead without obvious signs? If you are in Brisbane I have spares (not to sell just to try)...
post edited by TonyMR2 - Thursday, December 27, 2018 6:20 AM
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miyagi
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Re: Speedometer issue
Friday, January 04, 2019 1:49 PM
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TonyMR2, I am in Perth, Western Australia and very much appreciate your offer, however I have ordered and waiting for the arrival of the gear driver and follower. Process of elimination should do the trick and hopefully I will have the solution in the near future. Many thanks for your feedback, cheers Miyagi.
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miyagi
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Re: Speedometer issue
Monday, February 04, 2019 2:30 AM
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Hi Guys, Process of elimination has proven successful by the use of an endoscope to establish that the Differential plastic drive gear (blue coloured gear) is the issue. Safely raised vehicle on rated stands, with assistance operated engine and drive assembly, place endoscope in the speed sensor and viewed on screen only to indicate ovality on differential drive gear. I'm very exited to have successfully removed the complete engine and gearbox assembly (achievable with no assistance, under carport using standard equipment) which I considered a relatively easy task to accomplish as there wasn't too many major obstacles. A great learning curve and also knowing that removing the whole assembly is definitely the only way to go as it all makes sense to inspect all other components while it is out of the vehicle. I would like to ask for some suggestions regarding repair of the gearbox (E153 Turbo) 1. Is it achievable at home with some specialist tools 2. Spend the money and have professional transmission shop to repair ( recommended outlets in Perth, Western Australia) Many thanks to all the feedback you guys have provided and have a great day. Kind regards, Miyagi
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