Speedo stuck, ticking at 0. How common is this?

[keepemrollin14]

Have been battling a stuck at times, ticking speedometer. I pulled apart another cluster I had lying around and found that the stepper motors can be ordered, and they just set in to place on the backside of the cluster with contacts that connect to a circuit board. Total cost for this was around $40 for 2 VDO stepper motors with clear shaft. I have seen several other posts on here with similar issues and recommended fix was to replace the entire cluster.

I have performed the self-test, and all gauges sweep minus the speedo at times. Seems that the speedo is affected with hot weather after the truck has been baking in this hot Georgia weather.

You can bang on the dash a couple times and the speedo stepper will stop ticking and then when you cut power and turn it back on it will be back to its normal self again.

After replacement of the VDO stepper motor I purchased, the cluster seems to be working after a few weeks.

Curious to see how many people have had this same issue. I can post the link to the VDO stepper motors I ordered as they were less than $20 each.

 

[hunterdan]

I noticed mine was bouncing quite a bit recently on my 19 classic. Especially in cruise control where the speed would be steady but the needle would bounce 3-4 mph. Hasn't stopped working, but curious where you've purchased the motors from

 

[mtnrider]

Pretty rare actually, you are probably the first person I have heard of with this problem. I'd post the info any way, it might help someone else down the road.

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[keepemrollin14]

@mtnrider , I did a search on the forum under interior and found 2 other people that had similar issues for stuck speedo ticking. Just curious how many have had this issue.

@hunterdan , I purchased the VDO clear shaft stepper motors from Tanin Auto. They are out of I believe Racine, Wi.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Have been battling a stuck at times, ticking speedometer. I pulled apart another cluster I had lying around and found that the stepper motors can be ordered, and they just set in to place on the backside of the cluster with contacts that connect to a circuit board. Total cost for this was around $40 for 2 VDO stepper motors with clear shaft. I have seen several other posts on here with similar issues and recommended fix was to replace the entire cluster.

I have performed the self-test, and all gauges sweep minus the speedo at times. Seems that the speedo is affected with hot weather after the truck has been baking in this hot Georgia weather.

You can bang on the dash a couple times and the speedo stepper will stop ticking and then when you cut power and turn it back on it will be back to its normal self again.

After replacement of the VDO stepper motor I purchased, the cluster seems to be working after a few weeks.

Curious to see how many people have had this same issue. I can post the link to the VDO stepper motors I ordered as they were less than $20 each.

Definitely post the links. Makes it easy for the next person to come along...

 

[aszumilo]

I had an issue in my 04 Ram, where the speedo would bounce and the tach was all over the place. Turned out to be the speed sensor in the rear differential.

 

[keepemrollin14]

Here is the one IPC I took apart. Quick google search you will discover these vdo stepper motors are used in bmw, Mercedes, VW, a whole slew of vehicles making them pretty common parts.

Plastic Shaft VDO Stepper Motor (For Any Gauge Position)

Shop Tanin Auto Electronix for plastic shaft VDO stepper motors. These gauge stepper motors work for any position: speedometer, tachometer, fuel, & more.

taninautoelectronix.com

 

[keepemrollin14]

Forgot to mention, there is a difference between premium and base cluster stepper motors. Ensure you purchase the correct ones. I just pulled apart another cluster and it had metal shaft steppers. Both are available from tanin auto. VDO stepper motors are what your looking for.