Speedometer not working
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
Speedometer not working
The speedometer on my 82 doesn't work at all. My tach does though. I got under the dash and it looked like it was connected. Is there any way to test if the gauge isn't working or if it's wiring? Or how to tell if I need a new gauge. Any help is appreciated. Thanks
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Assuming you have cruise control, go out to the engine compartment and disconnect the speedo cable from the transducer. Then you can either spin the end by hand and look for movement inside the car or put a drill on it.
If the speedo works then you either have an issue with the cruise transducer, a broken cable between the transducer and tranny, or a bad drive gear. If it fails then the problem is between the transducer and the gauge.
If the test above worked then the next test would be to remove the lower speedo cable at the tranny and do the same test. If the speedo works then you have an issue in the transmission.
Willcox
If the speedo works then you either have an issue with the cruise transducer, a broken cable between the transducer and tranny, or a bad drive gear. If it fails then the problem is between the transducer and the gauge.
If the test above worked then the next test would be to remove the lower speedo cable at the tranny and do the same test. If the speedo works then you have an issue in the transmission.
Willcox
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Holden.. you need the 82 assembly manual on CD... It shows you great pictures of where the parts are and will search it out in a flash...
If you follow the speedo cable from the firewall it screws in to the transducer. There will be two cables, one in and one out.
Let me see if I can snag you a pic out of the AIM and post it for you.
Willcox
If you follow the speedo cable from the firewall it screws in to the transducer. There will be two cables, one in and one out.
Let me see if I can snag you a pic out of the AIM and post it for you.
Willcox
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Ok.. good deal.. then your problem is either the transducer, the lower cable, or a gear issue in the speedo. Ok.. that is the driven side of the transducer... you'll notice when you unscrewed it the cable actually goes in the transducer. Keep an eye on that section of the transducer and then unscrew the other cable. Now, where the other cable was screwed on... stick something in there and see if you can make the first one spin.
You should be able to spin it there.. If it fails or if you find the lower end broken off.. you have a transducer issue. If it spins, the hook everything back up and go under the car to where the cable is attached to the tranny.. Remove it from there and do the spin test again...
All we are trying to do is eliminate possible issues to locate the problem.
Willcox Signing off for the day.. 
Happy 4th.
You should be able to spin it there.. If it fails or if you find the lower end broken off.. you have a transducer issue. If it spins, the hook everything back up and go under the car to where the cable is attached to the tranny.. Remove it from there and do the spin test again...
All we are trying to do is eliminate possible issues to locate the problem.
Willcox
Signing off for the day.. Happy 4th.
