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JD
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2003
14:09:54

Subject: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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I just bought a 1997 Dakota 4x4 whose speedometer is completely screwed. It is 18.75% too fast (when I am going 60 it is showing I am going 71.25). The stock tires should be 205/75R15 but it has 235/75R15.

That could have something to do with it but I dont think it is all of it. I went to have it reprogrammed and they said it could not be done and I should go back to my stock tires. But according to my calculations that would only fix it slightly. I am calculating I would have to drop to 165/75R15 and I dont even know if that would work.

Help! Please!

I am sooooo lost.

Thanks

JD



Hmmmm
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2003
15:45:38

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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How did you arrive at your calculation?? Someone driving next to you?? There could be a multitude of suggestions for your problem. Since you purchased it used do you know if: Your truck has the original gears?? Someone could have gone from 3.55 to 3.92 or vice-versa. Going from 205's to 235's plus a gear change could change your speedo by almost 17%. Is the CAB controller still programmed with the original RPM for the 205's?? Ask your dealer to find that number for you. Find out what the revolutions per mile (RPM) for the 205's are. If they do not match, find out exaclty what tire your CAB is programmed for. IF a dealer changes an RPM number, they will usually only do it for a stock tire size. So you have 4 choices (205, 215, 235 or 31x10.5). Next, find out what gear you have. Have the CAB controller checked and see if you have a match. Was the odometer messed with?? If someone removed the speedo and reinstalled it, they could have messed it up. But that is doubtful. If the gauge cluster is assembled anything like my 92 Dak, the speedo just plugs in to the cable. It either works or it doesnt. Gotta friend with a GenIII Dak?? Ask him to swap speedo's to see if yours just turned to junk all the sudden. Are all the teeth present on your speed sensor?? You'll have to ask the guru's on this site where it is located exactly, but I believe it is somewhere on the rear axle, driver side wheel. Use the process of elimination of all systems that effect your speedo function. You'll find it. Good Luck.



mb
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2003
15:53:40

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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Okay,

Well 1st off, larger tires SLOW a speedo reading down... Your speedo reading is reading to high.

You see a large tire rotates slower because it has a larger outside diameter. A small tire will spin faster. So far so good?

A 205/75/15 does 750 revs/mile
A 235/75/15 does 712 revs/mile

I think you have a "way off" speedo gear in the trans. Plastic speedo gears use to come in different colors, and could be easily changed, right at the transmission.

I would bet that is what you need.



2 losers
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2003
17:03:47

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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JD, the speedo is driven off the sensor in the differential. Go to the dealer and you can have them input the proper pinion ratio.

mb, you prove once again that you're just a fukcing moron.

hmmmm, nice try, you even sound convincing but you too are full of shlt.



mb
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2003
17:09:22

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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Been thinking...

I would guess that the previous owner had some HUGE tires on it (causing the speedo to read WAY slow) and so previous owner changed the calibration some way so speedo would read faster to suit his HUGE tires (its electrical, so my "speedo plastic gear" theory above is wrong).

THEN... prev owner sells truck, and keeps HUGE tires, but does not swap calibration back...

Now you buy truck, it has small tires, and speedo reads way fast.

Now its your turn to change the calibration.



Kyle Ekert
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2003
17:18:18

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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To:

"2 loser" Why dont you tell me why you think mb and hmmmm are totally wrong. I guess you think a smaller tire makes a speedometer read slower? You have issues to deal with you limp azz kid. I think you better try to learn more about things - then post.



correct
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2003
17:25:41

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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Yeah mb & hmmm are on the right track. Shut up 2losers you mouthy beeotch.

Dirk



waterpolo
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6/11/2003
17:31:23

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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The 97 and newer dakotas use a speed sensor that is actually in the differential, not the tranny. Have them check that out as that can be your problem. I just replace mine because the speedometer was reading a little slow. They wear out after a while.



nobody
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2003
17:51:03

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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There is a speed sensor in the trans overdrive gear case !
Dodge service manual page 21-116 42/44 RE and 21-231 46 RE



waterpolo
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6/11/2003
17:56:37

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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Should have mentioned i have the manual tranny in mine, not the auto



nobody
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2003
19:23:08

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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Just curious, what are you judging your vehicle speed from ?
There is a test that you can do that will tell you if the gauge cluster is working accurate, more than likly this is not your problem but it is easy to do, and kind of fun.
1. Begin with the ignition switch off.
2. Press the trip odometer reset button.
3. Continue holding the reset button while you turn the key to the on position, but do not start.
4. Keep the button pressed for about 10 seconds, until CHEC appears in the odometer display, then release the button.
5. A series of three digit numeric failure messages may appear, if so respond to this post with the failure code or if you have access to codes check for description and correction.
6. The cluster will go thru a segment test where it will light all segments at once, then each segment individualy, if any segment fails to light retest to confirm, if the failure is confirmed the cluster needs replaced.
7.This group I will skip it is a bulb check. But it will go thru with the test.
8. This is a gauge actuator test, all gauge needles will move from rest to 1/3 then 2/3 then full reading, then return to rest, if any gauge does not respond properly the cluster should be replaced, check connections first.
9.The self diagnostic test is complete and the cluster will automatically exit the diagnostic mode and return to normal.
As stated above this is not likly your problem but is easy to check, and would rule out the gauge cluster.



Hmmmmmmm
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6/11/2003
19:31:24

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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Well 2losers, atleast I gave it a shot. Just told the guy what I might do. It may not be the quickest or easiest way, but it'll get him there. Anything that effects the speedo, check it. Simple eh......



JD
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2003
21:48:39

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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Ok,

I got my measurements two ways 1) I used the little police radar machines they put in construction zones. 2) The other way was using the mile markers. I noticed that for every 1 mile I went the odometer showed 1.2 miles.

Also I ran it by the shop that did speedometer work to have it reprogrammed and they ran it a test on it and it showed that when the speedometer read 50 their machine showed the car was going 44 mph.

I had the transmission down to replace a leakie differencial and the transy shop said they could not replace the gear because it had a sensor. Though the guys at the shop said their computer could not reprogram it and they called the dealer and they said that model could not be reprogramed.

Nobody: I ran the guage and I had the following codes 950 then 999. I dont know if that means anything.




mb
Dodge Dakota
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6/11/2003
22:41:59

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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One more shot here (dont really care if I get barked at by the dip-wad "2lose").

Maybe, just maybe, someone may have pulled the needle off of the speedo and stuck the needle back on "clocked" incorrectly?

I know a guy who did that to a 1996 Grand Cherokee...





nobody
Dodge Dakota
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6/12/2003
00:09:32

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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The 950 code is the cluster is not receiving an ABS lamp-on message from the CAB (controller anti-lock brake).
Correction
1. Check the CCD data bus connections at the ACM.
CCD= Chrysler Collision Detection.
ACM= Air Bag Control Module.
2.Check the CAB fuse.
The 999 code confirms that there is an error.
It appears that you may have a problem with the Air Bag circuit, unlikly it is your speedo problem but if you can eliminate the error code who knows?
Who would think that a faulty vehicle speed sensor would cause the anti-lock light to come on along with the brake light on the cluster and the speedo to quit working below approx. 32 mph.



Walter
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6/12/2003
08:31:01

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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JD and nobody I had a problem with my speedometer not reading when the truck was moving less than 50mph. Then the ABS and a couple other dash lights came on. Not knowing what was going on but didn't want to pay shop fees (Too high). I went to the dealer I bought the truck from to talk to the salesmen that sold me the truck. He took me to one of the mechanic's that he likes. Well the guy was very helpful and after telling him what was going on he said that when the speed sensor in the axle goes bad you will get indications that your ABS, Speedometer and others are bad. He told me that it was the sensor and after I bought and replaced it everything worked fine. That was about a year ago, still no problems.

Replacing the sensor takes about 10-15 minutes, you don't even need to jack the truck up. I forget what the price was but it wasn't more then $40.

99 CC 5.2 5 speed



JD
Dodge Dakota
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6/12/2003
08:40:12

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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Thanks Guys,

I lot to chew on. I appreciate it.



JD
Dodge Dakota
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6/12/2003
08:42:27

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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Walter

Was the sensor something I could change myself. I only have a small budget before I get to the point were I spent more on the truck then it is worth if I were to sell it.

Thanks

Jon



waterpolo
GenIII
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6/12/2003
11:16:24

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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Walter -- Right on dude, when mine went bad the speedo would not read under 25 MOH and the ABS light and the parking brake light came on. I just replaced the speed sensor thats in the differential and everything was back to normal.



Walter
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6/12/2003
14:10:30

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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JD the sensor is so easy you will think you went to sleep doing it it is so fast. All you do is disconnect the wiinge clip then the bolt and I think it is a 10mm or so socket and it pulls out. There is an O-ring on it just gently push the sensor in, replace the bolt and wiring, wala your back on the road.

Walter



Walter
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6/12/2003
14:19:19

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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JD the sensor is on the passengers side of the differential buy the drive shaft u-joint, hopefully this helps finding it.

Walter



JD
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6/12/2003
16:42:48

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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Walter

Could this cause problems with with the automatic transmission if I did anything wrong?

JD



JasonB
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6/12/2003
16:53:07

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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JD, that speed sensor does not affect transmission shift quality on the Dakotas.



nobody
Dodge Dakota
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6/12/2003
17:26:46

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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The sensor is located on top of the differential, I have replaced two, one on my truck and one on a friends, the friends being the last. The replacement sensor on it was slightly differnt than the one removed, maybe a better design?
From the description you first gave this does not sound like your problem. When I mentioned this in a earlier post it was done as a comparision.
The speed sensor on the trans is the primary for the speedo, I have never replaced one so I do not know the cost, it is located in the overdrive gear case in approx. the 7 to 8 o'clock posistion if I were to guess that would be my choice. The location of the sensor is low enough in the case that you may have trans fluid leaking when removed.
If the cost is similar the the rear speed sensor, approx. 25.00 you would not be out much if it did not help, heck even if you ended up doing both. The dealer in this area charges 67.50 an hour. ouch



mddak
Dodge Dakota
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6/12/2003
18:13:21

RE: Dakota Speedometer Help!!!
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the trans sensor takes a big socket don't remember the size - deep socket helps- you can try an adjustable wrench but most times they don't work .... just pull off wire - lift catch to get it off then unscrew sensor

park the butt of the truck up like on a driveway or on car ramps and you'll lose very little transmission fluid



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