Hello All,
I recently purchased a beautiful bone stock 1995 4Runner SR5 Limited 4WD Automatic with the 3.0L V6. I LOVE it!
Thankfully, right before pulling into the tire shop, to get some better looking tires the speedometer quit working. Otherwise I would have assumed the tires caused this. Anyway, later I noticed that the odometer, cruise control, and speedometer quit working. I have read all the forums on YotaTech regarding this issue along with other web data. I decided to replace the Vehicle Speed Sensor as this makes the most sense. This didn't work, still no speedo etc.

So, I went back to RockAuto.com and ordered two other speed sensors they have listed for this 4Runner. I just got them in the mail today. I cannot find these sensor anywhere on this thing. Other than the ABS speed sensors at each wheel, the only other possible culprit is the speedo cable going into the side of the transmission housing, or the CPU itself. Before I order that...I would like to know if I'm on the right track? I will include pictures as well. I need help guys, this is my daily driver and I don't want to drive the Suburban. Please help me.

The second speed sensors I ordered and received today look like this. One has the plastic gear at the end, the other has a cast aluminum rod with a split at the end. Both are electrical. I am convinced that my 4Runner only has the speedometer cable, the vehicle speed sensor (replaced last week), and the 4x ABS Sensors at each wheel which I have not replaced yet, and the CPU ( not replaced).

Trans. Tag

Speedo Cable in the cntr.

Stamp on side of Transmission housing, just in case...

Speed Sensor #1 that goes where I have a speedometer cable?? From RockAuto.com I think!

Speed Sensor #2, I have no idea where this goes, can't find it on my 4Runner.

 

Oh, also I did get a code off of it...Code 42 = Code 42: Automatic Trans: no signal for over 5 seconds when vehicle is traveling under 1.7km/h and engine running over 2,500rpm and shift lever is in in other than N or P range. Manual trans: no signal for over 5 seconds when vehicle is traveling under 1.7 km/h and engine running over 2,500 rpm.

 

Your truck has a cable operated speedometer. That cable runs to the instrument cluster where it operates the speedometer, odometer, and also, inside the cluster, a signal generator that controls the cruise control.

You need to determine whether or not the cable is intact and still rotating the speedometer head, or not. If it is still rotating, things are wonky inside the cluster itself.

Your codes pertaining to the tranny do not originate in any of these aforementioned parts.

Automatic trannies do use speed sensors to control the operation of the tranny itself, and the sensor that has no white gear attached may be one that is on your tranny. I don't know for sure.

It is unlikely that your tranny fault codes have anything to do with the speedo/odometer/cruise failure. Just coincidental.

 

Thank you. Thats what I thought considering I did find the speedometer cable. Thank you. Now I can do those test with confidence thanks to you. So, I dont have the sensor with the plastic gear at the end? But the other one pictured above does go on here somewhere?

Does anyone else have any clue about which sensors, or what specifically is causing the error code 42? I am worried about that as it has some thing to do with the transmission and this scares me as it may cause other issues.

I drive 60 miles twice a day. It doesn't do it in the mornings, but seems to throw the code when it is hot outside and only at sustained highway speeds. Any knowledge or experience on this?

Thank you!

 

Millball's description of how VSS1 works is correct. (Personally, I didn't think they used the cable speedometer in later model 4runners, but now I know.) The two sensors you purchased from RockAuto are for vehicles with the electronic VSS1; they have no use to you (well, don't throw the first one away, you could use it if you replaced the cluster with an electronic one.)

I'm guessing the "speed sensor" you replaced was VSS2 on the automatic transmission. VSS2 helps determine shift points. It has nothing to do with your speedometer or code 42.

In your photo, your speedometer cable looks pretty ... tired. You can carefully remove it, and try spinning the gear with your fingers. I suspect you'll find the interior cable is broken. If not sure, you can carefully rig a drill to spin the gear; your assistant can check to see if the speedometer moves.

Code 42 has nothing to do with transmissions, automatic or otherwise. "SPD signal is not input to the ECM for at least 8 seconds during high load driving with engine speed between 2,750 rpm and 4,000 rpm." As millball points out, on your truck, the SPD signal is generated by a reed switch in the Combination Meter (cluster). Since your speedometer/odometer is not working, the cable is almost certainly not spinning up the sensor. If your problem is the cable (which you will test before hitting the parts cannon again), that will clear up the code.

Sounds like you missed a couple hundred of them.

Good luck!

 

Perfect thank both of you for the clarification. All threads about this issue point out the electronic speed sensor. I have the mechanical. It must be an early 95' model.

It was the VSS2 that I have changed. It was a simple sensor.

Again, thank you both for helping. I really appreciate it. I will test it tonight, order the cable, and install when arrives. I will update this thread if it works or not.

Have a good day all!

 

They all point out that it has an electronic sensor, not mechanical. Why post if your not going to be helpful. Who trolls technical threads?

 

Sorry Millball, I was driving and thought I was replying to a single comment but it was your last sentence here. My bad. I get it, or I misunderstood.

 

I replaced the speedometer cable even though when I tested it it was working. I tested the cable still connected to the dashboard end. The speedometer worked with a drill at tranny end of cable. So I knew it was the plastic gear that the cable connects to at transmission end of cable. I replaced the cable and the plastic gear inside transmission. The issue was the plastic gear alone though. The codes have not came on yet. I did unhook the battery. But have only driven it 10 miles. If the lights come back on? I will be back. Thank you all again. This thread should help those who have a 95' SR5 V6 with a manual cable instead of electronic speed control.

 

Also, while you have your cluster out while checking on the cable, check the cluster itself for water damage. Cracked dashboards on the 2nd gen 4runner could drip water into the cluster shorting out the speedometer, that is if the inside of your car ever gets fogged up.

 

Dashboard assembly is all sealed up good still. My only remaining issue is the brake light comes on amd off. The brake light on the dash. Which prevents rise control from working. When the light is off cruise does work. Any ideas on that?

 

Found this online... There are two CC kill switches, one for the brake and one for the clutch. Pressing either pedal will turn off the CC. On auto tranny vehicles there is only one on the brake. However But the brake light I thought was just for the parking brake, but maybe this info helps. You have to make sure the pedals are fully returned including parking brake i suppose in order for the CC to work.

 

Yes, I think it is that switch. Because the pedal is fully depressed. I will look into it when I get off work. Thank you.