'03 Town and Country
3.8L V6
130,000 miles

Speedometer needle is jumping between 5 and 20 mph while vehicle is stopped with the engine running, and one morning during start up, the needle did a 360 and is now resting on the back side of the needle stop and will not return back to the other side. Cannot view speed when driving now. Also, the vehicle will bump forward pretty hard numerous times unexpectedly after shifting from park to drive. Good thing I have to keep the service brake depressed when shifting to drive. I changed out the input and output VSS (Vehicle Speed Sensors) and changed the transmission fluid and filter. Still the vehicle is acting up.

Anyone come across this problem?

Thanks in advance.

 

A few things...

1--Have the charging system checked......Stray AC current from the alternator will do this every time...... As will a Loose connection in the Ground cable from the battery.

2....Your speedo needle.....You have 2 choices....either remove the cluster and flip it upside down (The needle will follow Gravity)...or press and hold the trip reset button while turning the ignition on...this puts the cluster in self test mode..the nnedles will "SWEEP" and come to rest in their proper places.

 

The alternator does have a rough running sound to it. Seems like bearing issues though. Either way I've been looking into replacing it. If there is any sort of AC leakage, is the problem is within the alternator or another rectifiing component just outside the alterantor? I'm gonna go ahead double check the ground cable, as well.

The two methods for the speedo are great options to work with. I'll post my findings when I try them this afternoon.

Thanks again.

 

Update...

Pressing and holding the trip button while turning the ignition on worked. You have to depress the button long enough for the instrument panel to begin its reset functions. The needle went back to its normal resting point.