Speedometer cable issue
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 64
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From: Macedonia OH
Speedometer cable issue
I've heard conflicting responses to this issue I'm having with my speedometer and thought I would ask for some advice.
In my '79 vette, the speedometer has been making a 'winding' sound for quite a while. (2 years). It is working fine, except for the noise it makes and the needle tends to vibrate while driving. I've been told that the speedometer cable is worn out and it is a very inexpensive part, but a very labor intensive repair, as the entire dash needs to be removed. People have told me to "just live with it for now and try to ignore the sound" until the cable completely goes bad and then go to the trouble of repairing it.
Any thoughts?
In my '79 vette, the speedometer has been making a 'winding' sound for quite a while. (2 years). It is working fine, except for the noise it makes and the needle tends to vibrate while driving. I've been told that the speedometer cable is worn out and it is a very inexpensive part, but a very labor intensive repair, as the entire dash needs to be removed. People have told me to "just live with it for now and try to ignore the sound" until the cable completely goes bad and then go to the trouble of repairing it.
Any thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Probably not the cable ,but the speedo head. The cable can be pulled without removing the dash, but it helps to have a helper to pull on the cable. There is a release tab that you push down to release and have someone pull out when you push the tab. Then you can lube. but as I said, it probably aint the problem, especially if the head acts bad cold and then settles again when warmed up or the needle is erattic. That will require removing the dash and having the speedometer rebuilt.
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 90
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From: Brighton Ontario
I agree, Lubing the speedo cable corrects it 99% of the time. Also, do you have cruise, if so, then 2 speedo cables, one from the head to transducer, and 1 from the transducer to the trans. Sometimes issues in the transducer can cause noise and jumping needles.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I just put a new cable in my 79 the other weekend, it only took me a couple of hours doing it by myself. Not really that hard, you just have to be a contortionist to get under the dash, and as said, you definitely dont' have to remove the dash.
