My speedometer is not working on my 96 XJ and I Installed a new VSS connection(not the gear, it was ok). I still did not get it working. So, I checked the leads at the sensor with the ignition on and got continuity at the black wire and the 5 volt reading at the white/orange wire and only 5 volts showing at the Orange wire. The color of the wires on the new VSS match the XJ's wires in color and position so I'm assuming the first wire is the power wire.(Orange). If there is 5 volts showing what is my next step. The Speedometer needle does move when the ignition is turned on and all the other gauges work so I'm assuming that the cluster is ok and I'm getting a signal somehow to the speedometer or the needle wouldn't move when the ignition is on. Is there a fuse for the speedo? Perplesed.

 

I just peeked at the 95 and 97 FSMs. I never could find a 96 FSM, and it's somewhat a mix of the two years. Yes, orange is +5-volts power, black is ground, and orange/white is the signal wire. (Oddly enough the 95 FSM says power should be 8-volts. The 97 FSM shows 8-volts from the PCM, but says 5-volts at the sensor.) If find it odd that you have 5-volts constant on the signal wire. It should pulse at 8-pulse per rpm of the shaft. That makes me suspect you have damaged wiring. If you spin the sensor by hand, do you see it pulsing on your meter?

Also, you did reinstall the sensor in the original orientation? The sensor can be inserted into the xfer case in 4 different orientations to accommodate different speedo gear sizes. If you put it in wrong, the gear speedo may not be engaged.

 

I will try spinning it to see if I get the pulse. I didn’t remove the gears just checked to see if they were stripped. I will try the other 3 positions in case the previous owner didn’t put it back properly. Thanks for the help. I’ll also see if I can find a fuse that is out.

 

All those items tested but why would I have a fuse for the instrument panel lights the would not light up with a test light. Tried both without ignition on and with ignition on. Put in a new fuse and still not getting the test light to light up. Worked with all the other fuses.