Speedometer Sticks When Pulling A Trailer

[jjrobo]

Every time I pull a trailer with my 04 1500 my speedometer sticks and eventually ends up in the 5 o'clock position. If I pull the battery cable, it will reset. I figure it must be something in the trailer plug wires causing a short. It has happened with multiple trailers, so I'm sure it's not in the trailer wires.

 

Does anybody have any suggestions on where to start looking, or what is causing it?

[r1byker]

So it's only with the trailer? Reason I'm asking is because GM has a problem with the step motor that's causing the speedometer to do exactly what you're describing. It cost around $600 to replace. Turns out it was a defect and GM reimbursed us the money about a year and a half later because of a class action lawsuit. Hope that helps.

[jjrobo]

Correct, it only happens when I'm hooked up to trailer lights. It will start to stick after about 10 miles

 

I'm aware of the problem with the stepper motors and have ordered one off of Ebay and will give it a try when it arrives. My local GM dealer seams sure this problem is not going to be covered by the TSB. So I'm trying to fix it myself.

 

Thank you,

[jjrobo]

Anybody else have any ideas?

 

Thanks,

[jrrod2004]

only thing I can think of (and this is a shot in the dark)...maybe the vss wire is too close to the trailer harness and it is causing interference??? I have no idea where the heck the VSS wire is but that is the first thing that popped in my mind.