Speed-o-meter Problems

[cly_mitchell]

Hello my learned friends,

My needle bounces on my speedometer. It will level out at 75 or 80. Is this a cable problem or do I need to send this gauge to Palo Alto for repair?

This is the last repair I currently to have this car sorted. :yes

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone on the sight for all the advise and support. This is a good thing that Bibs and the other guys do.

Cheers,

Clay

[wern]

Hi Clay,this isnt going to be much help but I have the same problem,it is worse around 20mph. and also lessens the longer trip I do.I detached it at the gear box end and greased it but it seems it cannot be pulled out from that end and I didnt fancy taking the speedo binnacle apart from past experience! When I posted about this problem I got no replies so we must be unusual!! Let me know if you sort it. I have been told the problem is probably with the outer casing deteriorating where it passes the engine and the inner getting caught on a rough bit, and again I definitely dont fancy taking the whole lot out!

Good luck, Paul.

[catty s2]

Have you tried using a cable oiler? I would suggest you pump it in at the gearbox end as far up as the speedo if you can. If this does'nt work then you probably need a new cable.

[Tony K]

I am no expert in instrument repair, but this is what I have been told with regards to some other speedometer at some point:

Supposedly, some (or many?) gauges have an oil in the actual gauge mechanism to dampen the movement of the needle; it gets a 'bump' with each rotation of the cable, and the oil dampens it to keep if from flinging up high and dropping back down quickly. As it gets old, this oil dries up, goes bad, whatever. As a result, it will be more pronounced at lower speeds because of more time being between revolutions of the cable (and irrelevant at high speeds), and more in hot weather than in cold weather, due to heat making the oil thinner.

So I've been told. Makes sense to me, especially as my red S1's needle only bounces at 20mph on hot days, but I don't know 'nuthin'.

[jimmybondi]

Tricky question! Everything that has been said so far could be the cause for the erratic needle...

To add to the confusion:

humidity inside the speedo could also be a reason for this fault, but I believe this is something you could neglect Clay.

I'd check the connection speedo to the cable. In my case the cable dropped too far into its sleeve, causing a 'jumpy' needle...I simply pull the inner cable out a bit with a pair of pliers and reattach.

Edited June 5, 2007 by jimmybondi

[tonyp]

Cable problem 99.999% sure - you could just try replacing the inner, that may effect an easy cure. Interestingly back in oh, circa 1968 the faithful Austin A40 had this problem too, & the only way the needle ever got much past 60, downhill, tail wind, etc. ....

[WayneB]

I minimised the speedo bounce on mine by pulling out the cable inner and pumping the casing full of light oil with an oil tot.

Its caused by the 10 foot long inner cable grabbing the outer casing in spots and winding up and releasing like a long thin torsion bar (causing the flicker or jump).

As others have mentioned, its also a good idea to grease the 90degree adapter on the side of the gearbox as well.

[wern]

Hi Wayne,is it possible to get it out from the gear box end ?I tried but it didnt want to move.

Paul.

[WayneB]

Paul, I pulled my cable inner out from the speedo end wth some long nosed pliers as it had a collar on it that prevented it from being pulled through from the gearbox end.

[cly_mitchell]

Thanks Guys,

All votes seem to be a cable issue. That is where I will start. I will post my results. My bounce seems to be bigger than every body else. At 50 I bounce from 35 to 72.

Cheers

Clay

[Cliff]

Thanks Guys,

All votes seem to be a cable issue. That is where I will start. I will post my results. My bounce seems to be bigger than every body else. At 50 I bounce from 35 to 72.

Cheers

Clay

Clay,

I recently had the same problem. I notice that you are located in Texas. Star Motors in Houston had my speedo rebuilt locally for about $200. I would suggest that you try to find out their source as I was very disappointed with Star Motors' service!

- Cliff

Edited June 6, 2007 by Cliff

[giorgio67]

Clay,

I recently had the same problem. I notice that you are located in Texas. Star Motors in Houston had my speedo rebuilt locally for about $200. I would suggest that you try to find out their source as I was very disappointed with Star Motors' service!

- Cliff

HI,

there is a brand new mph/kmh speedometer for sale on Ebay UK. (old stock)

buy it now price is 80 GBP.

If you are interested this is the item number: 250125775299

Cheers

[mundo]

Continuing this speedo issue......mine has done this for eight years of ownership, finally got round to changing the huge cable which was thought to be the problem.

only eight years of not knowing what speed i was going ..honestly officer...

...anyway..it still flicks....

so should the short cable, right-angle or guage be replaced now?

any ideas people?

simon , (a newbie) thanks.

[Tentenths]

Simon, have a look at this post.

[mundo]

Thanks James,

I'll send it over for repair.

regards

Simon

[f1karting]

Ok figure this one out ..I just got my 85 back on the road and the speedo needle doesnt move. If I twist the cable at the gbox end by hand the needle works.. turn the wheels, the drive works.. cable seems long enough to seat in the drive end and isnt broken anywhere.. hook it all up, but no worka speedo? Anyone ever had that problem? J

[andycs3]

hit it with a multi adjustable clouting tool

[dazmans3]

Hi

I have just added a bit about Speedo cables on this Thread. http:Gearbox Speedo drive photos

My speedo needle has always seamed to waver, even after lubing the cable.

Daz