Questions and Answers
Cressida Speedometer
Q. I'm looking for some advice on how to proceed with the repair of my car. Money and physical ability are a big issue with me, and if I can have the problem diagnosed, I might be able to buy the part(s), and hopefully my son can install the part for me when he next visits me.
I have a 1989 Toyota Cressida with 130,000 miles. Until a few days ago, the car was in excellent repair. While I was driving, I heard a slight ticking...This was similar to the sound I've previously heard in GM cars when the speedometer cable was about to go out. But the sound went away after a few minutes, and I had all but forgotten it by the time I got home. A few hours later, I headed out again, and the ticking sound was not present. Just before I got to my destination, the speedometer quit working. I did not notice anything unusual, such as the needle jumping or vibrating.
When I left to head back home again, the speedometer was still not working. The cruise control would turn on but would not engage. The OD/OFF light continually blinked off and on, and it felt to me that the transmission would not shift into the higher gears. This may have been my imagination, but it just felt like the car was straining to shift. However, when I pressed the button to turn off the overdrive, the car no longer felt like it was straining. In addition, the OD/OFF light burned continually like it is supposed to do when the overdrive is off.
Just in case it matters, I had to drive for about a block in the lowest gear down a steep icy hill once before my speedometer went out, and once again after it quit working, both times being not more than 24 hours apart.
After I got home the last time, I checked my transmission fluid, and it was just barely at the "hot" line on the indicator, and it was a little burnt-looking, but not bad. I could still see a reddish tinge to it, and it did not smell too bad.
I do not know the size of my engine, nor the type of transmission (except that it is an automatic). I was told that the engine is the exact same one that was installed in the 1988 Supra, if that helps. I am pretty sure it is not a turbo. It has cruise, as I mentioned earlier, and it has the tilt/telescoping wheel. The car has power brakes, but I do not know if they are ABS or not. I do know it is a rear wheel drive. The car had 40,000 miles when my late husband purchased it for me in 1993. I change the oil every 3,000 miles, and I have the transmission serviced when recommended by the mechanic.
Less than 1,000 miles ago, I had a new radiator installed, as well as the front seals, rear main seals, crank seals, cam seals, valve cover gaskets, and some other stuff that I cannot decipher from the repair order. (I may even have not read the previous things correctly, but it definitely states front and rear seals of some sort.) I do know that except for the radiator, the other stuff was done for the second time in less than 15,000 miles. I've had the crankshaft replaced at least once in the time I've had the car, and had the harmonic balancer replaced twice, which I've been told is unusual. I do not know if any of the seals that have been replaced are transmission seals, but I thought I'd list them just in case, since the current problem seems to be related to the transmission.
My son is very mechanically inclined, and has excellent hand and air tools, including a portable compressor. (He makes a living designing, building, and installing car stereo systems and other accessory-type stuff for competition.) However, I'm pretty certain he does not have any specialty tools made exclusively for Toyota transmissions. Will he be able to access/replace the worn-out part in my home garage just by lifting the hood, or will I be required to take the car to the mechanic? In other words, will the car need to be put on a lift, or will the transmission and/or motor need to be pulled in order to "remove and replace"?
I am wondering if the problem is a speedometer cable or some sort of speed sensor (if there is even such a thing in this year model vehicle). At any rate, if you are able to diagnose the problem, will you also be able to explain exactly where the part is located? (If not, can you lead me to an Internet site that may have a diagram of the affected area?)
Oh, yes - one more thing: Driving with no speedometer is a big deal to me, but I have no choice but to go out every few days for a little while. Will driving this vehicle in it's current "condition" do it more harm?
Any help you can give me will be so very much appreciated. I thank you in advance, as I know it will take up your time just reading this e-mail.
Sincerely,
DebbieA. Debbie, there could be one of three things that may be wrong here. It's could be a bad speedometer pinion gear, a broken speedometer cable or a bad speedometer head in the dash. Your son should be able to determine which it is with little difficulty. All he needs to do is disconnect the speedometer cable from the transmission and, I use a cordless reversible drill, spin the cable and see if the speedometer needle moves. If it does, then the speedometer pinion gear is bad. It can be easily replaced by taking out the 10mm bolt holding it in and pulling it straight out. He can then take it to the dealer and get a new one.
If the needle doesn't move, then it's the cable or the speedometer itself. The next thing to do is to remove the able from in back of the speedometer and spin it again and see if that end spins. If it does, then the speedometer is bad. If it doesn't, then the cable needs to be replaced. There is a speed sensor in the speedometer that sends a signal to the cruise control module. When the cable breaks, no signal and no cruise. Once the cable is replaced, the cruise control will work again.
The speed sensor also sends a signal to the transmission control unit. It, too, will work normally after the cable is replaced.
