Disconnecting the speedometer cable
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From: All in!
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St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Disconnecting the speedometer cable
On my '80, how difficult is this to do?
Mine's squeaking and making the needle all jumpy.
Do I need to disconnect the battery? (anything up there to shock myself on?)
Does it take any special tool?
Mine's squeaking and making the needle all jumpy.
Do I need to disconnect the battery? (anything up there to shock myself on?)
Does it take any special tool?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
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From: Severna Park Md
Re: Disconnecting the speedometer cable (Chris Fowler '80)
If i wanted to disconnect my speedo cable I would just unscrew the cable where it connects to the transmission tail. Simple as that. Hang it up with a ziptie so it doesnt hang down or get tangled or whatnot. it should just unscrew with a pair of pliers. Dont remove the speedo gear housing as you will loose fluid. Just unscrew the cable. Its just a round screw on connection. Pliers should do it. Sometimes it can be done with fingers alone.
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From: Forked River NJ
Re: Disconnecting the speedometer cable (Jvette73)
Not sure on the 80 car but if you have cruise control just unhook it at the transducer in the engine compartment. Otherwise go to the trans and disconnect. About a 5 min. job
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From: All in!
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St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Re: Disconnecting the speedometer cable (Jvette73)
I need to lubricate it, though. I don't think I can do that from the transmission end.
Seems like I'd need to disconnect it under the dash...
Seems like I'd need to disconnect it under the dash...
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Severna Park Md
Re: Disconnecting the speedometer cable (Chris Fowler '80)
oh yeah, by the way, the only thing on a car that will shock you is the ignition wires. And thats only when the engine is running and the insulation is bad. It wont kill you, but you'll feel it for sure. You can actually take a fully charged battery and grab the positive post in one hand and the negitive in the other and nothing will happen. DC current wont do it. Now if yur up unger the dash with a wrench in yur hand and you touch a hot point to ground you will get a nasty arc and it will scare you. But it wount actually shock you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
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Re: Disconnecting the speedometer cable (Chris Fowler '80)
I'm not sure how difficult it is to get the speedo cable off of the back of the speedo on your '80. It's a PITB on my '77 with my big fat hands.
But, I lubricated my speedo cable by disconnecting it at the CC transducer, holding the loose end up, and spraying lubricant in between the cable and sheath. I'd spin it a little every now and then to let the lubricant work itself down. If you don't have cruise the lubricant would have a long way to go to cover the whole cable, but I suppose you could still do it.
But, I lubricated my speedo cable by disconnecting it at the CC transducer, holding the loose end up, and spraying lubricant in between the cable and sheath. I'd spin it a little every now and then to let the lubricant work itself down. If you don't have cruise the lubricant would have a long way to go to cover the whole cable, but I suppose you could still do it.
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From: Indialantic FL
Re: Disconnecting the speedometer cable (Chris Fowler '80)
:seeya At the rear of the speedo the cable snaps into a retainer fitting. It can be released by squirming your hand up there and you'll feel alittle tab sticking out. Push in on the tab and the cable should pop loose :yesnod: You may have to pull back on the cable slightly while pushing on the tab. :smash: :smash: Believe it or not this can be done with one hand. :D It's kinda like a quick realease fitting. If you take the cable all the way out to lube it, take note of the way it's routed under the dash. Especially if you have a clutch pedal in the way. To put it back, just line it up in the hole and push. You'll hear it click in place. :seeya
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Re: Disconnecting the speedometer cable (FastGlass79-85)
You can disconnect the speedo cable at the speedo, but it's kind of tricky. The easiest way is to remove the lower a/c duct to the drivers side a/c vent. This gives you some room to work your hand behind the dash. Oh yea, you have to lay flat on your back and work yourself under the dash. Hurts like hell! The cable is retained in the back of the speedo with a clip that you push in. So you have to push in on the clip while pulling out on the cable at the sametime with one hand. After laying on your back for about 10 minutes, you either successfully remove the cable or start using foul language. Good luck.
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Thread Starter
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From: All in!
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St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Re: Disconnecting the speedometer cable (Frankenvette)
Damnit (notice the foul language).
I removed the air duct. (damn do I need to work on those seals...but that's another matter entirely).
I can grasp the cable, push the clip and pull it out about 1/4". Then it stops. It won't move any further.
It will pop back into place, but it won't come off. :cry :cry :cry :cry
I removed the air duct. (damn do I need to work on those seals...but that's another matter entirely).
I can grasp the cable, push the clip and pull it out about 1/4". Then it stops. It won't move any further.
It will pop back into place, but it won't come off. :cry :cry :cry :cry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: White Pine / Dandridge TN
Re: Disconnecting the speedometer cable (Chris Fowler '80)
I find that if I stare at the problem for a few hours and use lots of foul language I have better results. If you have the clip pushed ALL the way in it should release.
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Disconnecting the speedometer cable (Frankenvette)
It is sometimes very difficult to pull the cable out while pushing the clip in. You have to hold the clip all the way in and then start to pull out. It sounds impossible but it can be done. It also helps if you have seen the connector on the end of the speedo before. I have had my dash all the way out so I have been there. I have had my cable out two or three times recently trying to diagnose my speedo problem. New speedo too.
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From: All in!
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St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Re: Disconnecting the speedometer cable (Eddie 70)
Hmm...guess I'll give it another go tonight and pull as hard as I can.
Pray for my hands!!! :blueangel: :blueangel:
Pray for my hands!!! :blueangel: :blueangel:
Thread Starter
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From: All in!
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St. Jude Donor '03-'10
Re: Disconnecting the speedometer cable (Eddie 70)
It also helps if you have seen the connector on the end of the speedo before. I have had my dash all the way out so I have been there.
I hope some lubrication will actually work it's way in there. I'll see soon enough.
thanks to everyone for the help :cheers:
