I know this has nothing to do with Caravans, but I have tried to get an answer from other sauces, such as Nissan Forums, but I've had no luck, so.......
The trouble I've been having with my 89 Patrol is that the speedo goes fine sometimes, at other times, as soon as I start to move, the speedo goes straight up to maximum speed reading, not bad if the old girl was that fast!! but sitting in the driveway ???
This can be darn annoying when the map says 7.2km to next camp site. then 4 km later The speedo either goes right off the clock, or stops working all together.
At other times the speedo is working normally, which usually happens when I am on the way to an Auto Electrician.
If there is anyone out there who has had a simular fault and can put their finger on it, I sure would like to hear from you.
-- Edited by rgren2 on Tuesday 12th of July 2016 04:05:11 AM
Woody n Sue said
08:03 AM Jul 12, 2016
Can't help as my old girl the speedo works just fine but it hasn't counted any ks for years could never work out why, also the speedo can be manually adjusted to read the correct speed on the back of the unit only problem is you have to pull it out of the dash to adjust it.
Woody
kiwijims said
09:01 AM Jul 12, 2016
Woody n Sue wrote:
Can't help as my old girl the speedo works just fine but it hasn't counted any ks for years could never work out why, also the speedo can be manually adjusted to read the correct speed on the back of the unit only problem is you have to pull it out of the dash to adjust it. Woody
Howdy Woody n Sue, I've had the speedo out that many times, I could probably do it with my eyes shut, so that's not a problem.
On one previous occasion, it was reading the speed correctly, but not adding up the KM's travelled , I hauled it out and took it to a specialist instrument centre, they in turn had to send to America for one stripped cog, this ended up costing me my left leg and youngest born !!! LOL
I've always been pretty savvy when it comes to mechanical things, but when it comes to modern electronics, "Why oh Why" do they have to chuck in all these extra Gizmos ????
I think I will have a go at replacing the Sensor, that is if I can locate it and if the old back doesn't give out in the process,
Thanks also to rgren2, Yes that's the Forum I have spent many hours reading through, but I can't find a straight answer there anywhere.
I just fixed my speedo, it would intermittently go all the way over. If a gave the dash a thump it would fix itself. Has not failed in the last 4 weeks.
The problem was on the speed circuit board. (you need to remove the white plug, and the 5 mount screws and then the speedo assembly can be removed via the front)
1. A couple of dry solder joints resoldered (still played up)
2. Corroded lead on the 4.19 MHz referance crystal. I found it was this component by pulling the dash apart and taping the rear pod - finally found an area that would fil if I pushed on it.
I then then had a look , touched the componet and it fell off the circuit board. I was able to get my hands on a 4.089 crystal from work - that fixed it. The only supplier I could find with the rock was in the UK, plus 1 crappy aussie web site. If it failed again, I would try a 4 mhz crysal as they are commen (RS componets).
After I replaced the crystal - I checked the calibration of the speedo - it was ok.
kiwijims said
09:24 AM Jul 12, 2016
Thanks for the info Dorian, Yes I did read that article and have since checked all solder joints, but still no good.
K.J.
dorian said
09:24 AM Jul 12, 2016
@kiwijims, if you post a photo of the speedometer's circuit board, I can help you to identify the crystal. BTW, if reflowing the solder doesn't fix it, you should be able to obtain a replacement crystal from Farnell or RS Components for a dollar or so.
kiwijims said
09:30 AM Jul 12, 2016
dorian wrote:
@kiwijims, if you post a photo of the speedometer's circuit board, I can help you to identify the crystal. BTW, if reflowing the solder doesn't fix it, you should be able to obtain a replacement crystal from Farnell or RS Components for a dollar or so.
Mighty good of you Dorian, it may take some time to get the photo though, The old girl is in one piece at the moment, I'll give you a whistle as soon as I've pulled the speedo out again. Thanks.
K.J.
Vince said
12:16 PM Jul 12, 2016
If you need wiring chart:
From speedo -
GY - Green/Yellow to speed sensor
Z - Light Blue to speed sensor
YR - Yellow/Red to ignition
O - Orange to diff lock if fitted
B - Black to earth
These are the colours on my 92 Maverick (Nissan wannabe)
Not as silly as it seems but most of my electrical issues were due to bad and corroded earth connections. Just a thought.
kiwijims said
03:46 PM Jul 12, 2016
Thanks for that Vince,
I think the earth problem could be something to look at again, something that I've noticed with the Patrol is the thin wiring, especially to the rear tail-lights,
When I wired in the electric Brake controller, I ran heavy wires right from the unit, to the rear as well as very heavy wiring for the auxiliary Battery.
Just come back from the shops, same problem, slipped the Patrol into 1st gear and started to move, straight up to 180 kph, got into 4th gear then the speedo settled down to the correct speed, stopped at the next intersection, then took off, straight up to 180 kph again.
I'll just have to wait until the ground has de-frosted enough to get under the old girl, then I will give her a few tickles and hopefully she will start to smile and behave her self.
K.J.
Vince said
05:33 PM Jul 12, 2016
kiwijims wrote:
something that I've noticed with the Patrol is the thin wiring, especially to the rear tail-lights,
When I wired in the electric Brake controller, I ran heavy wires right from the unit, to the rear as well as very heavy wiring for the auxiliary Battery.
I too was amazed myself with how small the wiring through the whole vehicle is from factory.
All additional wiring I have done is with heavier as required for purpose and fused.
Hope you have luck in fixing your speedo issue.
Cheers
Vince
dorian said
08:11 AM Jul 13, 2016
If there were a bad earth at the speedo, wouldn't this mean that the speedo would behave as if it had no power?
What happens to the speedo reading if the sensor is disconnected? If it remains at 0, then this would appear to rule out a sensor fault.
BTW, crystals sometimes fail to oscillate. I've seen this many times. I also remember problems with crystals in CRT TVs causing the colour to dropout. On one occasion I was able to remove the crystal from the PCB simply by pulling on it. If you wish to observe how the speedo behaves when the crystal is dead, just press your finger against its two pins. Your body's resistance/capacitance will usually be enough to temporarily stop the oscillation. This is a non-destructive test, BTW.
One more thing -- my Google research would suggest that the sensor produces an analogue AC signal. This would not be as easy to test as a digital pulse.
mr glassies said
07:48 PM Jul 13, 2016
I didn't think an 89 model would have an electric speedo .This might sound a bit funny but have you greased the cable. The reason it flicks straight up to 100 is the cable could be springing the actual speedo sounds funny but it does work I have fixed heaps of old cars and trucks by doing this . Now the trick is not to put the cable in in a way it winds the grease up to the speedo . That will cause oil or grease to run down from behind the dash .
Dibs
kiwijims said
05:32 AM Jul 14, 2016
mr glassies wrote:
I didn't think an 89 model would have an electric speedo .This might sound a bit funny but have you greased the cable. The reason it flicks straight up to 100 is the cable could be springing the actual speedo sounds funny but it does work I have fixed heaps of old cars and trucks by doing this . Now the trick is not to put the cable in in a way it winds the grease up to the speedo . That will cause oil or grease to run down from behind the dash .
Dibs
G'day mr glassies, I wish the Patrol did have a cable, it would have been fixed long ago, I can tell you that after pulling the Cluster out of the dash umpteen times, there is no cable drive for the speedo,
Why they have to make these Clusters the way they do is beyond me, all pressed paper circuits ,with no proper wiring and all held in place by the Dash light globe bases, plus plug in connectors to connect the Cluster to the wiring harness, all of which can work loose.
It's no wonder the darn things have earthing problems !!
Thanks for your thoughts on my problem anyway.
K.J.
macka17 said
07:58 PM Jul 17, 2016
The rear wiring was light on on ALL Patrols.
my 2002 GU used to blow rear light fuse all the time with van on.
Service dep't said. fit a 10a fuse.
Problem solvered.
I know this has nothing to do with Caravans, but I have tried to get an answer from other sauces, such as Nissan Forums, but I've had no luck, so.......
The trouble I've been having with my 89 Patrol is that the speedo goes fine sometimes, at other times, as soon as I start to move, the speedo goes straight up to maximum speed reading, not bad if the old girl was that fast!! but sitting in the driveway ???
This can be darn annoying when the map says 7.2km to next camp site. then 4 km later The speedo either goes right off the clock, or stops working all together.
At other times the speedo is working normally, which usually happens when I am on the way to an Auto Electrician.
If there is anyone out there who has had a simular fault and can put their finger on it, I sure would like to hear from you.
K.J.
This maybe the problem.
http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/nissan-patrol-gq-y60-ford-maverick-11/erratic-speedo-problems-89diesel-26499/
or look here
http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/gtsearch.php?cx=partner-pub-7865546952023728%3A5387141830&cof=FORID%3A11&ie=UTF-8&q=GQ+speedo+problems&sa=Search&siteurl=www.patrol4x4.com%2Fforum%2F&ref=&ss=17015j24334451j18
-- Edited by rgren2 on Tuesday 12th of July 2016 04:05:11 AM
Woody
Howdy Woody n Sue, I've had the speedo out that many times, I could probably do it with my eyes shut, so that's not a problem.
On one previous occasion, it was reading the speed correctly, but not adding up the KM's travelled , I hauled it out and took it to a specialist instrument centre, they in turn had to send to America for one stripped cog, this ended up costing me my left leg and youngest born !!! LOL
I've always been pretty savvy when it comes to mechanical things, but when it comes to modern electronics, "Why oh Why" do they have to chuck in all these extra Gizmos ????
I think I will have a go at replacing the Sensor, that is if I can locate it and if the old back doesn't give out in the process,
Thanks also to rgren2, Yes that's the Forum I have spent many hours reading through, but I can't find a straight answer there anywhere.
Thanks for your thoughts Guys.
K.J.
Thanks for the info Dorian, Yes I did read that article and have since checked all solder joints, but still no good.
K.J.
Mighty good of you Dorian, it may take some time to get the photo though, The old girl is in one piece at the moment, I'll give you a whistle as soon as I've pulled the speedo out again. Thanks.
K.J.
From speedo -
GY - Green/Yellow to speed sensor
Z - Light Blue to speed sensor
YR - Yellow/Red to ignition
O - Orange to diff lock if fitted
B - Black to earth
These are the colours on my 92 Maverick (Nissan wannabe)
Not as silly as it seems but most of my electrical issues were due to bad and corroded earth connections. Just a thought.
Thanks for that Vince,
I think the earth problem could be something to look at again, something that I've noticed with the Patrol is the thin wiring, especially to the rear tail-lights,
When I wired in the electric Brake controller, I ran heavy wires right from the unit, to the rear as well as very heavy wiring for the auxiliary Battery.
Just come back from the shops, same problem, slipped the Patrol into 1st gear and started to move, straight up to 180 kph, got into 4th gear then the speedo settled down to the correct speed, stopped at the next intersection, then took off, straight up to 180 kph again.
I'll just have to wait until the ground has de-frosted enough to get under the old girl, then I will give her a few tickles and hopefully she will start to smile and behave her self.
K.J.
I too was amazed myself with how small the wiring through the whole vehicle is from factory.
All additional wiring I have done is with heavier as required for purpose and fused.
Hope you have luck in fixing your speedo issue.
Cheers
Vince
What happens to the speedo reading if the sensor is disconnected? If it remains at 0, then this would appear to rule out a sensor fault.
BTW, crystals sometimes fail to oscillate. I've seen this many times. I also remember problems with crystals in CRT TVs causing the colour to dropout. On one occasion I was able to remove the crystal from the PCB simply by pulling on it. If you wish to observe how the speedo behaves when the crystal is dead, just press your finger against its two pins. Your body's resistance/capacitance will usually be enough to temporarily stop the oscillation. This is a non-destructive test, BTW.
One more thing -- my Google research would suggest that the sensor produces an analogue AC signal. This would not be as easy to test as a digital pulse.
Dibs
G'day mr glassies, I wish the Patrol did have a cable, it would have been fixed long ago, I can tell you that after pulling the Cluster out of the dash umpteen times, there is no cable drive for the speedo,
Why they have to make these Clusters the way they do is beyond me, all pressed paper circuits ,with no proper wiring and all held in place by the Dash light globe bases, plus plug in connectors to connect the Cluster to the wiring harness, all of which can work loose.
It's no wonder the darn things have earthing problems !!
Thanks for your thoughts on my problem anyway.
K.J.
my 2002 GU used to blow rear light fuse all the time with van on.
Service dep't said. fit a 10a fuse.
Problem solvered.
Prev GQ the same.