No speed but odometer works
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton Illinois
No speed but odometer works
I took my car out for a drive day, first time since I put the dash back in after replacing the tach board. The speedo worked fine for a mile or two and then the needle dropped to zero. The odometer still works. I did lube the cable with speedo cable lube when I had the dash apart.
It was in the 40's today and the car has been sitting all winter, could this be a temperature issue or is my speedo toast? Has anyone else had a similar problem? I don't want to rip the dash out again if I don't have to. Thanks
It was in the 40's today and the car has been sitting all winter, could this be a temperature issue or is my speedo toast? Has anyone else had a similar problem? I don't want to rip the dash out again if I don't have to. Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Check the cable again. Do you have cruise? What I did to check the cable is I grabbed the end that goes to the transmission and twisted it while looking at the speedometer. If the needle on the speedometer doesn't move, the cable is no good. Even though my cable spun on both ends it was rounded on the corners and the gear wasn't grabbing it. Bought a $16 cable at Kragen and it worked again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
Hold it, wait a minute....the odometer works, but the speedometer doesn't???? 
If the odometer is working, your cable is fine...
I would say it is a malfunction in the speedometer....IMHO
It may be as simple as a loose needle, jarred loose from banging around the dashboard....
OR...some of the "cable lube"
has worked it's way into the speedo mechanism and clogged up the works...
If the odometer is working, your cable is fine...
I would say it is a malfunction in the speedometer....IMHO
It may be as simple as a loose needle, jarred loose from banging around the dashboard....
OR...some of the "cable lube"
has worked it's way into the speedo mechanism and clogged up the works...
Last edited by kb2fzq; Feb 25, 2006 at 06:10 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
Mine is exactly the opposite....
Now the needle jumps and makes a clicking noise like a metronome.
The faster I go the more often it jumps.
The odometer just sits there and stares back at me.
On my car:
In 3rd gear with my TH350. (Your mileage may vary)
4000 rpm = and I will get pulled over for sure
3500 rpm = 82 mph
3000 rpm = 70 mph
2500 rpm = 58 mph
2000 rpm = 46 mph
1500 rpm = 35 mph
1000 rpm is too darned slow
I look silly with a pen and paper figuring the speeds while I am driving.
The faster I go the more often it jumps.
The odometer just sits there and stares back at me.
On my car:
In 3rd gear with my TH350. (Your mileage may vary)
4000 rpm = and I will get pulled over for sure
3500 rpm = 82 mph
3000 rpm = 70 mph
2500 rpm = 58 mph
2000 rpm = 46 mph
1500 rpm = 35 mph
1000 rpm is too darned slow
I look silly with a pen and paper figuring the speeds while I am driving.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 0
From: Hudson Falls, N.Y. 76 Vette Modified L-48
"Now the needle jumps and makes a clicking noise like a metronome.
The faster I go the more often it jumps.
The odometer just sits there and stares back at me."
Now on your problem, I would say you have a worn cable...as mentioned above, and one corner of the cable contact is hitting the speedo mechanism and just bounces that needle one out of 4 corners..the odo is turning, but it's turning so slow, it is barely noticable...at least that's what I would say...might want to make sure it's tight on the speedo and the tranny, and it's not cross threaded in any way...might have a loose cable...
The faster I go the more often it jumps.
The odometer just sits there and stares back at me."
Now on your problem, I would say you have a worn cable...as mentioned above, and one corner of the cable contact is hitting the speedo mechanism and just bounces that needle one out of 4 corners..the odo is turning, but it's turning so slow, it is barely noticable...at least that's what I would say...might want to make sure it's tight on the speedo and the tranny, and it's not cross threaded in any way...might have a loose cable...
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
Originally Posted by kb2fzq
"Now the needle jumps and makes a clicking noise like a metronome.
The faster I go the more often it jumps.
The odometer just sits there and stares back at me."
Now on your problem, I would say you have a worn cable...as mentioned above, and one corner of the cable contact is hitting the speedo mechanism and just bounces that needle one out of 4 corners..the odo is turning, but it's turning so slow, it is barely noticable...at least that's what I would say...might want to make sure it's tight on the speedo and the tranny, and it's not cross threaded in any way...might have a loose cable...
The faster I go the more often it jumps.
The odometer just sits there and stares back at me."
Now on your problem, I would say you have a worn cable...as mentioned above, and one corner of the cable contact is hitting the speedo mechanism and just bounces that needle one out of 4 corners..the odo is turning, but it's turning so slow, it is barely noticable...at least that's what I would say...might want to make sure it's tight on the speedo and the tranny, and it's not cross threaded in any way...might have a loose cable...
It's weird the first 2 digits rolled about half way out of view when it failed.
The speedo is registering speed it just jumps every time it spins by what is left of the drive teeth for the odometer.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton Illinois
Went out for another drive today. Speedo started working only very slugish. I got the reading up to 35 mph even though I was probably going 50 or 60. The more I drove the more it seemed to loosen up. The odometer still seems to move very consistantly. I think I will try to loosen the cable from the trans and test in a drill.
Car is a 76, 4 speed. Any trick to removing the cable from the trans?
Car is a 76, 4 speed. Any trick to removing the cable from the trans?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,245
Likes: 470
From: Glen Allen, VA
you should just be able to unscrew it with pair of channel locks from the trans. Then do just as you said, just chuck it up in a drill. I believe the drill has to be in reverse if I remember right. When I tested mine the speedo just dumped to the lowest point and stuck there, so I reversed the drill and apparently I don't need the engine in my car, because just the drill can make the car go 45. 
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,084
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Originally Posted by David Ey
Maybe the cable is not fully inserted at the speedometer.
I had the same problem with my speedo. I replaced it. New one works fine.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by David Ey
Maybe the cable is not fully inserted at the speedometer.
Good Luck!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,319
Likes: 7
From: Wilmington DE, Drive it like you stole it, 68 327 4 speed coupe
Originally Posted by fl_rider
Now the needle jumps and makes a clicking noise like a metronome.
The faster I go the more often it jumps.
The odometer just sits there and stares back at me.
On my car:
In 3rd gear with my TH350. (Your mileage may vary)
4000 rpm = and I will get pulled over for sure
3500 rpm = 82 mph
3000 rpm = 70 mph
2500 rpm = 58 mph
2000 rpm = 46 mph
1500 rpm = 35 mph
1000 rpm is too darned slow
I look silly with a pen and paper figuring the speeds while I am driving.
The faster I go the more often it jumps.
The odometer just sits there and stares back at me.
On my car:
In 3rd gear with my TH350. (Your mileage may vary)
4000 rpm = and I will get pulled over for sure
3500 rpm = 82 mph
3000 rpm = 70 mph
2500 rpm = 58 mph
2000 rpm = 46 mph
1500 rpm = 35 mph
1000 rpm is too darned slow
I look silly with a pen and paper figuring the speeds while I am driving.
Untill I can get to it, my tach is my speedo too!!!
tim
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Ha, you know when I first read this I wasn't even thinking you said odometer, I was thinking tach. Brainfart I guess. I'd say it's something in the speedometer, then. Make sure it's not jammed too far in there.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton Illinois
I just got back from a trip to the gulf coast. I tried 77 vette girl's sugestion, I pulled back on the cable sheathing and went for a drive. The speedo worked flawlessly for about 3 miles and then started to bind up and eventually stopped working all together. I will try to unhook the cable and make sure it is seated all the way into the transmision and try again. I will let you know what happens.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
the odometer works? does the trip meter reset?? if not get a hold of me carlclub@comcast.net,,,,,,,,,,,,,, i can tell you how to get the trip meter to work,,,,if the numbers are moving as you go.....
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Originally Posted by c3_guy
I just got back from a trip to the gulf coast. I tried 77 vette girl's sugestion, I pulled back on the cable sheathing and went for a drive. The speedo worked flawlessly for about 3 miles and then started to bind up and eventually stopped working all together. I will try to unhook the cable and make sure it is seated all the way into the transmision and try again. I will let you know what happens.
The odometer and speedo work off the same cable. You can't have one working and not the other and still blame the cable.
Your speedo head is farqued.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton Illinois
Originally Posted by Mike Ward
Dude, you're not listening to what people are telling you!
The odometer and speedo work off the same cable. You can't have one working and not the other and still blame the cable.
Your speedo head is farqued.
The odometer and speedo work off the same cable. You can't have one working and not the other and still blame the cable.
Your speedo head is farqued.
Thanks Mike for pointing out the obvious.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
What I'm getting at is that the other 'fixes' that people have suggested are nothing more than stop gap get it to limp home attempts. Sort of like banging the top of the TV every ten minutes to stop the picture from rolling.
If you can get your speedo to work only by pushing the cable out of position (too far in or too far out) this already means that it's toast.
If you can get your speedo to work only by pushing the cable out of position (too far in or too far out) this already means that it's toast.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton Illinois
Originally Posted by Mike Ward
What I'm getting at is that the other 'fixes' that people have suggested are nothing more than stop gap get it to limp home attempts. Sort of like banging the top of the TV every ten minutes to stop the picture from rolling.
If you can get your speedo to work only by pushing the cable out of position (too far in or too far out) this already means that it's toast.
If you can get your speedo to work only by pushing the cable out of position (too far in or too far out) this already means that it's toast.
Mike, you are probably right, I just want to make sure the cable is in all the way. Thanks for the input.
BTW what does "farqued" mean?
