Speedometer cable

Post by **pim123** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 10:11 pm

Hi, I have to check my fuel gauge and my ignition light. If I try to pull out my speedometer, it would not come out for more then an inch or so. Not enough space to check my problems. Should I pull it harder to give the cable more slack ? I am afraid to brake something.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 10:31 pm

It's tricky - you may have to take the gloveboxes out (maybe one will do) to get your hand in there - and unscrew the speedo drive connection. Don't just pull - there is not that much slack.

Post by **pim123** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 10:35 pm

You mean leave the cable where it is and just get the speedo out. Thats an answer to my problem, but is it normal to have only a little slack on the cable ?

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 10:39 pm

Perfectly normal. The cable can't be too loose, as any bends when it goes back in would mean it could fail.

Post by **pim123** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 10:41 pm

Ok, tnx to you both. I was hoping to pull out the speedometer and work on my problems with lots of room...

Post by **bigginger** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 12:54 am

You can generally undo the cable, honest. It'll still be restricted by wires, but they unplug too if you need more room

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 5:41 am

Thin fingers or small hands can be useful but it is fiddly.

Post by **markattard** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:37 am

Best if you get the glove compartment out of the way, you must be extra carefull if these are old, the cardboard just rips off....good luck

Post by **pim123** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 7:12 pm

Well, that's a lot more work than I had imagined, but then again I learn a lot about my Minor while taking it partly apart

Post by **Axolotl** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 11:02 am

If you can get a second person to help, you should be able to "feed" the speedometer cable through from the engine side of the bulkhead as you ease the speedo out of the dashboard. (Don't just pull the speedo).

There is enough slack on mine to get the speedo all the way out (with the back of the speedo about 3" clear of the dash), then you can get at the speedo nut and undo it easily.

Putting it back is the opposite. Get your third hand to pull gently on the cable from the engine side as you fit the speedo back. That way, you can avoid kinks in the cable.

The wires have a lot more slack once the speedo cable is disconnected.

Post by **pim123** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 12:10 pm

Tnx for the tip Axolotl !
Does the cable com through the bulkhead in the engine room or under the car near the gearbox ?

Post by **ColinP** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 12:34 pm

pim wrote :-

Does the cable com through the bulkhead in the engine room or under the car near the gearbox ?

The cable goes through the engine bulkhead at the same height as the Battery/fuel pump. (well it does on my 1098cc !).

Should be quite obvious as it is a thick (diameter) cable, with large diameter curve.

I don't know if the Left Hand Drive versions have the same layout - in my car it is on the left of the car.

Colin

Post by **pim123** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 1:01 pm

I will check it out after work !!

Post by **Axolotl** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 1:29 pm

That's interesting. On my 1971 Traveller, it comes out of the bulkhead on a level with the speedo, on the left hand side (as viewed from the back looking forwards) of the scuttle over the battery.

It then curves down in a big arc to go under the car, still on the same side, behind the carburettor and above the exhaust under the body to the fitting on the gearbox.

Maybe that's why I can easily feed mine through the bulkehead when I take the speedo out?

Post by **pim123** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 2:07 pm

Aha...there's a lot more to it then we first thought !! It's the start of the Speedo-cable mystery serie of comments !

Post by **pim123** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 3:54 pm

In my car it is the same posisioned as in Axolotl's car.
I've pushed (no force needed at all) it from the engine bay and the speedo fell out !!! Checked why the ignitionlight didn't work...it was out of the socket of the speedo, pushed it back in...first problem solved. Just the fuel gauge problem to solve now.

Post by **simmitc** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 4:13 pm

SAFETY TIP

Before removing the speedo for the first time, disconnect the battery. Some of the components in the dash can have live terminals exposed - eg ignition switch, headlight switch, not to mention modifications by previous owners! Once you know what's what then you can relax a bit and next time leave the battery connected, but you can easily pull bits around and/or knock a switch and earth something that is better left alone.

Post by **Axolotl** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 4:30 pm

Good point. I always disconnect the battery when juggling wiring unless I need the power on to test something.

Also, take your wrist watch off before ging anywhere near wiring or the engine bay. I have seen a horrific burn on someone who shorted their watch strap across live and earth. Melted the strap into their wrist. Ouch!

Post by **Packedup** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 4:42 pm

Axolotl wrote:Also, take your wrist watch off before ging anywhere near wiring or the engine bay. I have seen a horrific burn on someone who shorted their watch strap across live and earth. Melted the strap into their wrist. Ouch!

I've done something similar in the past. Anyone who's met me can probably guess my method of inficting painful burns accidentally when playing with wiring...

Ypu'd think I'd learn, but oh no, still do it, though now have an almost relfex reaction to the sound of errant sparking and usually manage to pull my arm away before it gets too hot.

Post by **pim123** » Wed Aug 23, 2006 4:49 pm

TNX Simtic !! good tip, luckely with me all seems to be simple and neatly installed...