My speedometer has been stopping and starting to work while driving. It'll drop to zero and then back up sometimes it's only for a second, others for minutes. Anyone have this issue? Trying to see where I should start.

Thanks!

 

The connector in the back of the gauge cluster is probably loose or needs cleaning. It takes about 10 mins to remove the cluster, so it's worth pulling it out to see if everything's connected tight.

 

Put your fingers in all corners, and push it back. I have a 98, and the plugs are solid mounted to the dash, so they come loose over time, no big deal.

 

Check these ground wires. Solved my speedo issues after hours of chasing wires. The setup is diff. for 1991. They are right behind the oil dipstick on the pass. side.

 

Thanks guys, I'll check my ground points under the hood and pop the gauge cluster out to have a look!

 

i had this same problem on my 98 but was nothing electrical.. check sensor vss (vehicle speed sensor) as well as the speedo gear in the tranny.

 

Have you found/fix the problem??

 

the '91s still had a cable-driven speedo. take the cable loose and remove the whole cluster. make sure the cable turns freely and isnt getting bound up. if it doesnt replace the cable. once that is verified replace the cluster, making sure the cable connections are tight. also check for cable tightness on the transfer case end. if this doesnt fix the problem check the speedo gear in the transfer case (not a likely cause though).

 

Sorry if Im thread stealing but...
I have a 91 and when I took my gauge cluster out, I saw no cable for the so called cable driven speedo. Just a bunch of wires. Ive read everywhere that 91s are cable driven speedos. Am I missing something? My speedo gear in my t-case is a long shaft which is said to be cable driven as compared to the short shaft that is electronic.

 

There may be a few early 91 xj's with the full cable out there, but iv'e never ran across any! 1991 is the break year for several things. That being said- cables do wear out, and can destroy the speedometer pinion at the transfer case.

 

When I pulled the gauge cluster, no cable either. It is electrical. The speedo's been working for the most part (cuts out occasionally) I've still yet to check the grounds in the engine compartment.

 

I have the 92 sport and my vss went out, I'm replace the speedo on friday when it arrives. I'll tell you if that works but mine did the same thing kept going up and down and would stop even knowing speed was going up but i checked all the other wires so i ordered a speedo.