Speedometer needle

Post by **Shmickle** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 8:42 pm

Morris minor......80mph.....i'm confused!

Post by **Cam** » Thu Sep 11, 2003 10:15 pm

They don't all crawl along you know..................

Post by **Benjy** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 11:00 am

I have a similar problem:
If I drive at 50 - 60 for any length of time, the needle starts swinging violently between 40 and 80!

Even once I've slowed down / stopped, it refuses to register properly untill it's been sat for while.

When I get round to investigating (maybe today), I'll let you know what I find!

Ben

Post by **Cam** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 11:04 am

Usually this is a problem with the speedo cable, check that both ends are firmly screwed in place first and if they are, then the cable is probably duff (sticking a bit inside). You could try messing about with it to free it up, but for the cost it's better to get a new one.

Post by **Gareth** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 11:18 am

If it's just swinging wildly, and not snatching or anything, could it not be that the magnetism in the speedo head is no longer uniform, or as strong as it should be. That would mean there was less resistance, and the gears inside could be running away with themselves?

Mine wavers a little ~ about 5mph either way ~ but I've not done anything about it, yet...!

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 11:35 am

Mine is similar to Benjys only it bounces at all speeds above 30mph although it goes back to zero on stopping, I just assumed it was old age and the instrument and not the cable as the the odometer still works fine.

Post by **Cam** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 1:07 pm

I have had it where the cable twists and releases causing a slight jerky motion, this sends the needle bouncing about but does not affect the odometer as it turns much slower. Maybe it IS your speedo but have a look at the cable first as it's cheaper to fix.

Post by **Gareth** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 2:36 pm

Absolutely! Less than a tenner, aren't they?

Unlike getting a speedo recon'ed!

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 3:30 pm

Something else to add to my evergrowing list of urgent things to be done, still as long as I am ready for Gareths Gaydon trip next year it will be OK

Post by **Chris Morley** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 7:18 pm

Re-reading the initial post, I don't think it can be a broken or loose cable because either of these will prevent the odometer / mileometer working as well. If it still works this indicates that something inside, specific to the speedometer, has broken.

Kevin, I'll give you a lift to Gaydon if your Minor's still a bit frail next year. With luck I'll have two cars then to choose from.

Post by **Gareth** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 8:09 pm

Hmmm... who fitted the cable? Could this have aggravated a sleeping problem?

Post by **Kevin** » Fri Sep 12, 2003 8:26 pm

Digger where abouts are you as I have a spare that may be of use to you I have not used it but got it with a job lot of bits

Post by **Willie** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 9:58 pm

For all of you with 'swinging speedos' the first and easiest
thing to try is to remove the speedo cable at the instrument
end ONLY and gently twist and pull the inner cable right out.
If it has a kink or any other fault then scrap it (as stated a
new one is quite cheap). If it is ok then clean it and then
lightly oil it,then re-insert it fully. Now withdraw it slightly
and remove any oil from the top six inches. Refit and, with
a bit of luck there will be an improvement. Oh, and do make
sure that the cable goes from the gearbox to the speedo in
a graceful curve, sharp angles are not recommended!!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat Sep 13, 2003 10:33 pm

oiling the cable at the same time as checking it is wise advice. Willie's comment on 'lightly' oiling it should prevent the excess oil doing such things as getting into the speedo.
Mine shakes nearly 10mph at 60, but the cable is fine, so I can only assume it is the speedo.
I had one that was a lot worse than that before stopping all together - the speedo bearing had started to dry up and eventually seized (breaking the cable). I put some oil in it and freed the bearing but it never read the correct speed afterwards - it did actually read 60 when doing 80

Although Scmickle may wonder if that was possible... ;-)

Post by **Shmickle** » Sun Sep 14, 2003 3:21 pm

Hmmmm......