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speedo problem

Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 1:48 pm
by spotdoc
I'd be grateful for any help...
My speedo stopped working a few days ago and this coincided with a knocking sound from behind the dash :roll: . I'm assuming this must be a broken speedo cable but I haven't taken the speedo out to investigate yet.
Does this sound like the likely cause of the problem and how easy is it to replace a broken cable??

many thanks,

Tom

Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 2:40 pm
by Gareth
A knocking sound...? Could the cable have come off from the back of the speedo, and be flailing around within the dash?? :roll:

Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 2:50 pm
by 57traveller
Probably worth checking the cable first Tom. Quite easy to do and change if necessary. Obviously something amiss with the speedo if cable is intact though.
First observe and memorise/sketch/photograph it's present route and where it is clipped/secured from where it emerges from the bulkhead through the engine bay to the gearbox.
The speedo unit will have to come out. There should be 2 holes in the glovebox liners through which a Philips type screwdriver can be used to slacken the two securing screws. Bit of a fiddle locating them and only slacken - don't remove completely.
The speedo head can then be pulled out far enough to remove the cable connection. It will then be apparent, hopefully as to whether the inner cable has broken. If it has then chances are that the lower broken bit cannot be removed. The Outer cable will then have to be removed at the gearbox end. Can't miss it, nearside of car with a similar but larger securing nut. May need some type of "grips" to slacken. Extract the complete cable along with rubber bulkhead grommet. Slide grommet on new cable and push through bulkhead until sufficient slack to connect on speedo head. Push back speedo and make sure cable is not kinked then refit grommet. Route cable assembly as original then reconnect to gearbox, don't overtighten. You need nice gentle curves in cable no sharp bends. Make sure alls well then tighten 2 speedo screws.
Hope that helps.

Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:15 pm
by spotdoc
thanks for the quick replies...I'll try and get the speedo off tonight,

cheers,

Tom

Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 3:50 pm
by 57traveller
Hopefully it's not the drive at the gearbox end which is another possibility if the cable and speedo are o.k. That's probably being a bit pessimistic though. :(

Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 3:40 pm
by spotdoc
I took the speedo off and the cable is fine...the speedo seems to be the problem. It seems to be jammed solid...I'll try some WD40. I've put a spare one on and it works fine :D

cheers

Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2004 4:01 pm
by rayofleamington
If the speedo is jammed, I doubt the cale is ok. This happened to me once and when the speedo seized it broke the drive cable, so both needed replacing.