FITTING NEW SPEEDO

[neil4030]

Speedo just conked out and I think I can hear whirring sound from inside the speedo itself. Changed bulb in it last week and I was as gentle as possible but.......
I know how to disconnect the two speedo dial illumination bulbs as the bulb holders simply snap out of the speedo but all the other connections are a mystery. I could do with knowing how the speedo cable connection disconnects/fits and the fuel gauge one? Also the other bulb connections for the oil lights/main beam: do they just pull out?
I will label up the wires like a sensible fellow and then fit new speedo as the cable looks new to me.

[mike.perry]

The bulb holders pull out
The speedo cable is held in by a knurled knob which should be finger tight
Release the nuts holding the cables on the the fuel gauge, taking care not to lose nuts or washers
Easy Peasy

[bmcecosse]

Chances are you disturbed the speedo cable connection when you fitted a new bulb. Check the drive cable connection before charging in to a new speedo...

[neil4030]

Thanks chaps: Will check connection and work from there.

[neil4030]

I have had a further look at the speedo cable connection. The square shaped core of the cable that spins as the car travels was sticking out of the cable end about one centimeter. This section of the core slotted into what I assume should be a square shaped hole in the back of the speedo; at the centre connection point. This square hole in what appeared to be a black plastic connection point was round rather than square, so I assume that accounts for the whirring 'spinning' noise when travelling. I have ordered a new speedo but have just had that sinking feeling!!
How much of the speedo cable core ought to be sticking out of the end of the cable; in order to make the connection? Is about 1cm correct? I had a thought that I should have taken pliers to the square core to see if it pulled out of the cable further and then that might have made a proper connection? Hope I haven't spent seventy odd quid for nothing.

[mogbob]

One centimeter of the square drive exposed beyond the outer sheath should be fine.It is the " rounded " rather than square receiving part in the speedo that is the problem.
Before installing check the the speedo cable route is as smooth as possible.If a previous owner has induced some sharp bends into the route, it may have induced wear/ rounding off of the connection in the present speedo.
Battery disconected before you start to play with the connections.
Bob

[neil4030]

That explains what I have done! Isn't it annoying when a simple 'cock a doodle diddley-up' costs a wad of notes. When I took the speedo out last week to change a bulb, I pulled some extra speedo cable through the bulkhead to allow access. What I didn't do was feed that cable back through the bulkhead, when I put the speedo back into the dash. One nicely kinked cable later, I need a new speedo. I would swear at this point but I know it isn't allowed on the forum.....

[brucek]

Seventy quid for a new speedo also sounds rather a lot of money as there are loads, of all types available second hand and will do a perfectly good job for years. It sounds like you will also need a new speedo cable assembly too - but at least these are only a few quid. Hope it gets better for you from here on

[mogbob]

Don't beat yourself up too much Neil, we've all done something similar before, I expect.
You would have had Garage labour charges as well as the parts to contend with.
It's probably why so many of us, on the Forum, are keen to pass on knowledge we've learnt by experience.
It hit us in the pockets or sometimes physically....skinned knuckles, cuts, bruises, burns from molten welding splatter and chemical paint stripper (said he, from personal experience ).
Seek advice, especially when it's free.... nobody says you have to take it.Then use you own judgement.
Bob

[neil4030]

Many thanks.