Speedometer bouncing, all else is fine

[jeepguy4276]

My speedometer occasionally drops to 0 then goes straight to correct speed. Only happens now and then. Odometer and other gauges are working fine. I did fix the wiring issue these have going to the rear speed sensor and replaced the sensor with a napa part 2 years ago. Could this be a sign the sensor is going again? Last time it just wouldn't read and odometer didn't work.

 

[tommudd]

My speedometer occasionally drops to 0 then goes straight to correct speed. Only happens now and then. Odometer and other gauges are working fine. I did fix the wiring issue these have going to the rear speed sensor and replaced the sensor with a napa part 2 years ago. Could this be a sign the sensor is going again? Last time it just wouldn't read and odometer didn't work.

Almost 100% certain it will be one or the other back there
Wiring is generally what makes it come and go or bounce around, may look at it again to be sure

 

[teeje]

Replace the pigtail (wires from connector to the harness) those wires fray apart at the end of the connector. Make the wires longer so they have more room to move to avoid the issue again


2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7L with brand new engine
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[jeepguy4276]

Replace the pigtail (wires from connector to the harness) those wires fray apart at the end of the connector. Make the wires longer so they have more room to move to avoid the issue again


2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7L with brand new engine
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's what I had done a couple years ago and added length as well as rerouted the wires so they wouldn't rub and fray anymore. I also wrapped the new wires in friction resistant tape. I can't imagine there'd be a new wiring issue. It's new from just inside the interior to the pigtail.

I'll maybe have time to get under it and check this weekend. I trust you guys so if everyone thinks it's the wiring, maybe it is. Maybe some ice happened to get near the wiring and cut it. Who knows. I'll check it out.

 

[teeje]

Not an issue with the wire. It's at the end of the connector. So when you hit bumps and the suspension flexes, the wires bend over time and break apart


2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7L with brand new engine
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[uss2defiant]

my vote is on the connector.

 

[tommudd]

Not an issue with the wire. It's at the end of the connector. So when you hit bumps and the suspension flexes, the wires bend over time and break apart


2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7L with brand new engine
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Would agree 75%, but did run into one case where the dealership redone the wiring about two years before, I thought as well it would be the plug. So started there, replaced one with one of my spares, but ended being the wiring about 3 inches on up from where they replaced . They did it right, just more of the wiring bad than most.

 

[teeje]

Agreed. I replaced the whole pigtail and connector and turned out that there was a previous repair and Someone used refused crimp connectors and not the water proof ones that seal with heat. Big no no with water and salt. Ended up cutting all of the wiring out and replaced with new and used waterproof connectors that seal


2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7L with brand new engine
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jeepguy4276]

Where can I get a new pigtail?

 

[tommudd]

Where can I get a new pigtail?

dealership, they have a repair kit, 35-40 bucks

 

[uss2defiant]

here's an online reference you can use
Mopar Connection Repair Kit

 

[teeje]

You'll have to assemble the wires into the metal clips that slid inside the connector also. At least that's what I had to do. Not too hard. Just make sure you have crimpers and I use automatic wire strippers. Use the waterproof crimp connectors also and shrink tubing. The water proof connectors shrink with heat and have a glue that seeps out and seals both ends of the connector so water can't get in. And the heat shrink tubing, that's just being safe.


2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7L with brand new engine
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[uss2defiant]

fyi, the repair kit comes with connector socket, connector pins , wires, crimps, heat shrink.

 

[teeje]

I don't trust those crimp connectors though. They don't seal against the elements. Water will just get inside and corrode the wires. That's what happened to me when I bought the kit.


2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7L with brand new engine
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[uss2defiant]

mmm.... that's what the heat shrink was for.
Mopar Connection Repair Kit

 

[teeje]

Yeah that heat shrink didn't work well. Water still got inside. Just play it same and use weather proof connectors. Not a big deal


2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7L with brand new engine
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[ltd02]

delete

 

[uss2defiant]

The heat shrink that comes with the kit has sealant.

I crimped and soldered mine then used the heat shrink that came with the kit.
It comes with instructions as well. It also came with two different sets of AWG wires. This may vary with what kit you're ordering. IDK.


I assume teeja is referring to butt connectors with heat shrink + sealant which is the same difference as using what's supplied with the kit.

I'm just making it clear to the OP that everything he needs should be included in the kit.

 

[teeje]

The kit I got from the dealer may have been different because I only got the two separate wires and everything else. Didn't come with heat shrink that had sealant. Yours (or the 'new' one) must've been different


2002 Jeep Liberty 3.7L with brand new engine
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mightybeet]

i used plastic covered wire crimps and wrapped with electrical tape instead. wasnt comfortable using heat around the gas tank ...added some tape around the connector and wire to help prevent the wires from bending at 45°. make sure the wire ends go all the way into butting up to the inside/opening of the new connector.