This saturday my speedometer on my 99 tacoma started going crazy on me. First it will drop and stay at 0, and then it will jump up to the correct speed then jump around a bit and drop back to 0. Sometimes it will give and hold the correct readings, but then it all goes crazy again. I bought the truck from a buddy back in 08 while I was in germany and am currently at Ft. Drum in upstate NY. This hasnt happened before and I will be honest I know very little about cars and trucks. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I need to get it fixxed soon as the current inspection runs out at the end of the month.

 

You have an electrical VSS (vehicle speed sensor) and my guess is there is a short in the wiring that is grounding out occasionally.

This is where the VSS is on the backside of the transfer case (assuming you are 4WD since you didn't give us any more information about your vehicle).



Read this thread, it will give you an idea of how to remove that part of the harness so you can check for bad wires.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/w...brator-213419/

Also, while your in there, pull the 2 screws that hold the VSS on and pull it off. Check the gears in there to see if they are chipped.

 

Sorry about that. Its a 2wd manual xmsn. No power windows or locks or any special frills not a 4wd. Like I said I know little to nothing about trucks and such haha. I like to tell people I know where the gas goes in and can figure out which hole the oil should go in :p I will check out what you suggested when I get home from work.

 

You should still have something that looks similar on the back side of your tail housing on the passenger side.
http://www.ncttora.com/FSM/2003/Repa...tu2wd/comp.pdf

 

The gears on mine are chipped. Is it possible to buy a new gear?

 

Yes. Call your dealer.

 

Just called, i have to buy the whole sensor for $274 plus tax

 

No, no you don't.
Enter the vin, find the "Speedometer driven gear" under powertrain/ chassis.
http://www.toyotapartseast.com/
And it will give you the part number.

 

Thanks Scuba!!!!
I hate going to the dealer for stuff, they rip me off whenever i go there. No wonder why they are called the stealership haha
I just ordered it, thanks to you =]

 

Glad I could help man.

 

Does the odometer still rolling?

 

I have this same problem but its a 3.4 4x4 manual tranny and t case can anyone help me find the sensor?

 

Yes odometer stopped as well haha

 

sometimes it is just the connector going into the sensor, same thing happened too me and it was a stick or something got up in the wires and pulled one back, caused a week connection