Speedo cable ??s

[TominMO]

1. Is there any length difference in the speedo cables for a tach cluster vs. a non-tach cluster? I am trying to swap my non-tach cluster in my blue car for one with a tach, but it isn't working because the speedo cable seems too short. I notice that the non-tach cluster puts the speedo cable in the center, but the tach cluster has it off to the side a couple inches to give room for the tach. When I get the cluster installed, the speedo cable is an inch or two too short to fit back into the trans. When I put the original non-tach cluster back in, no problems. So either there is some trick involved or it's just needing a longer cable.

2. If the tach cluster needs a longer cable, does anyone here have one they can sell me? And even if they are the same, I still need one because the cable in my red car has the plastic connector at the speedo end snapped off; it won't stay on very well. But if I get a longer tach cable, I can use the original blue-car cable in the red car.

[mattswabb]

You need to pull the cable out some from the engine compartment side then pull it thru to the side the speedo is on. I think it naturally wants to go to this position anyways.

Same cable for both clusters.

[TominMO]

You need to pull the cable out some from the engine compartment side then pull it thru to the side the speedo is on. I think it naturally wants to go to this position anyways.

Same cable for both clusters.

Thanks for the info, IDK if it'll help tho; I tried lots of times back and forth with the cable. But I'll keep plugging away at it. At least I know I have the right cable.

[mattswabb]

There's pics somewhere. Maybe someone has them to post. It's easy once you can see how the cable is routed.

[lanemeyer14]

I had a problem with this as well. Swapped in a non-tach cluster to replace a tach cluster, moved the cable over and still didn't have enough slack to hook it back up to the tranny. I tried multiple times but the cable just kept coming off the cluster when I tried to attatch it to the trans. I had no problem installing another tach cluster into the same car, and didn't have any trouble adding a tach cluster to my non-tach car

[Festiva_Fred]

Here's a pic of the cable after being re-routed..


I've installed a tach cluster on at least 3 festivas now, and never had a problem with installing them...

[TominMO]

Here's a pic of the cable after being re-routed..


I've installed a tach cluster on at least 3 festivas now, and never had a problem with installing them...

OK, that picture set off the light bulb over my head. Thanks!

[TominMO]

OK, I got the speedo cable rerouted and the tach cluster is installed. But the speedo needle vibrates and I can hear the cable making a clicking sound. I know the cable is properly on down by the tranny. What do I need to do to get the needle to stop vibrating?

BTW, I reinstalled the original cluster (before rerouting the cable) and had the same issue. So it's not the tach cluster that's the problem, it's how I am installing the cable.

[25Horseplay]

Hopefully you didn't kink it when you tried to force it when it was routed incorrectly, don't ask how i know this!

[TominMO]

Hopefully you didn't kink it when you tried to force it when it was routed incorrectly, don't ask how i know this!

Eeewww...yeah, hopefully I didn't. Any other replies? BTW, can we use Aspire speedo cables? There is a J/Y where I can get three of them. And are the speedo cables different for a manual and an auto?

[25Horseplay]

I'd bet an Aspire cable would work. Don't know if its ever been tried so I would take your cable to match it up. Another cable that might worrk would be a Mazda 323.

[batstiva]

Okay, just for the S&Gs of it, I checked advance autos website. Checked for a 88 lx, a 90 l, a 95, and 97 Aspire, and the parts numbers are different. Doesn't really give any kind of specs on them, so not sure if they are actually different, or if they assign them different numbers because they are different cars. Guess if you're going to the boneyard, take your old one with you and do a side by side and see if there's actually any difference.

[TominMO]

Okay, just for the S&Gs of it, I checked advance autos website. Checked for a 88 lx, a 90 l, a 95, and 97 Aspire, and the parts numbers are different. Doesn't really give any kind of specs on them, so not sure if they are actually different, or if they assign them different numbers because they are different cars. Guess if you're going to the boneyard, take your old one with you and do a side by side and see if there's actually any difference.

Yep, I'll do it. I'll letcha all know.

[fastiva1988]

USE FACTORY ROUTING. i had mine run through the side of the center bar behind the cluster and snapped two cables... got both up to fifty then SNAP. but i ran it just like the factory did and vwahla no more snapping cables.

As far as the length goes im not sure. Im with 25HorsePlay on this one.

[batstiva]

So, what's the word? Are they interchangeable, or vehicle specific? Just wondering if you got your issue sorted out.