1996 Volkswagen Jetta speedometer needle shaking

1996 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
112,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • MANUAL
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STEVIEBELL82
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  • 1 POST
when i turn on my car and drive, the speedometer needle just shakes. it stays at zero and doesn't move at all. also, my rpm needle doesn't move, it doesn't even shake. it just stays at zero, also. i was thinking it could be the cable cuz i've had that problem before in another car that i had, but i'm not real sure. please help.
Jan 11, 2008 at 2:19 PM
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FREEFLY
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  • 4 POSTS
Did you figure anything out? Mine just started doing the same thing.
Thanks
Mar 22, 2008 at 7:38 PM
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FLORESA66
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  • 2 POSTS
Mine too. exact same problem. VAG Tool do not show any failure. I am about to replace G22 Speed sensor. Have you found the problem? HAve you diagnosed or replaced any component?
Mar 24, 2008 at 8:43 PM
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FLORESA66
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Found what the problem is:
broken gear inside the stepper motor that moves the needle.

When you start the car the needles are supposed to reach zero before the cluster start to work, and since the broken gear will not stop the motor at zero, the needle will keep bouncing while the gear slips in its shaft. the other needle will not work since the zero routine was not completed. when the car is cold. the gear is more likely to hold the shaft, hence the ocassional success.

The fix?

New steeper motor or new or rebuilt cluster.
Apr 24, 2008 at 4:48 PM