Morris Minor Owners Club

Finally got around to sorting out my speedo cable on my car the other day because it hasn't been working for quite a while.

I remember when it was working it bounced about a lot. It still does this a bit now, but not as much. Took the car out for a drive and the speedo was accurate (compaired my speed to my sat nav).

But when I got back home noticed that when I stopped the needle didn't go back to 0 and sat on about 10.

Took the car out again and the and the speed was way off (which is what I expected as it started off on 10) but when I stopped again the needle was coming to a stop at 20.

Any ideas? Do I need to get a new speedo?

Does sound like it's getting a bit tired. Loads usually for sale at the Rally.

Are there usually the earlier style speedos for series II for sale?

There's usually everything there

There goes my savings

Any ideas?

Don't stop?

"well I went stright through the red light officer because I got a dodgy speedo and didn't want a fine for speeding"

If it's that u/s use the satnav as a speed guide and drive carefully!

The Series MM & Early Series II speedos are usually sold on the inst. panel with the oil and fuel gauges. Check the TPM number on the face of the speedo, it will be either 1000 or 1600. For Series II you want the 1000.
Have you checked the speedo cable for frayed wires. If it is ok apply a thin smear of grease along the inner cable.

I applied a smear of grease on the cable, thats how I got it to stop bobbing around so much.

The needle will just not go back down to 0 now when I stop

after you greased the cable did you pull it back out of the sheath and clean excess grease of the cable?

If i recollect correctly it is very easy to over grease the speedo cable which can then damage the speedo.. so what you need to do is grease the cable put it in, then remove it, clean the grease off the cable so the grease left is on the sheath and off you go. As i say i could be imagining this no doubt someone will be along soon to correct me!

if you do a search someone posted a thread on how to take apart and clean up the speedo might be worth having a look for it especially if your speedo needs replacing any way ... what have you got to lose?

I had a similar sticking needle on my later car and fixed it by putting the speedo face down on the bench and letting a very tiny drop of 3 in 1 oil run down the spindle to lubricate the drive. I don't know if the early speedo's are the same in construction though.....

Here is the guide to speedo repair, I found it very usefull as mine also stuck on the way down, works a treat now just needed cleaning and lubricating

http://pcbunn.cithep.caltech.edu/jjb/TR6/speedo.pdf

Undo the cable from the back of the speedo and take it off the instrument panel. Carefully undo the two screws on the back of the speedo and remove the back. You should be able to turn the wheel inside, release it and the needle should return to zero. If it does not return fully then move the needle slightly on the spindle. Afterwards check the calibration.
If that is ok then you probably have a sticking cable.

Just took the speedo apart and it looks like the 'hair spring' is damaged. The last coil is mis-shaped. So I most probably will be getting a new one.

I have the same problem, the needles sticks at 10 but then must very slowly go to 0 as the next time I get in it's usually back to 0. Seems to be accurate otherwise.

Sounds like oil/grease has travelled up the cable into the speedo. maybe a very light 'cleaning' with a gentle spary can would ease it off.