Speedometer suddenly sqeaking

[Festiva_newbie]

I posted this already, but for some reason, it didn't show up.

Quickly, I was accelerating, suddenly my speedometer started making a loud squeeking noise... It's kinda like "Squeek Squeek Squeek Squeek... " and as I accelerate, it squeeks faster.

Is it the cable? Gears? The speedo still works fine... Where do I start with this?

How do I fix it?

Thanks!

[25Horseplay]

Try lubing the cable with some lithium grease.

[Festiva_newbie]

*looks at his username* How?

[HappyMom]

I'm here to learn... I will use the seach function :wink:

:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forum/search.php

Here it is http://www.fordfestiva.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1478

but it's better to use molybdum? grease, there was a topic on the type of grease to use just a couple a days ago

[Festiva_newbie]

LOL thanks

I took a look at the one a few days ago... It wasn't very precice...

These are pretty precice, but I'm not convinced I understood it...

I almost thinking though, that it's a gear? Am I crazy?

[HappyMom]

a speedo cable is like this stiff tightly would spring that has a life of it's own, kinda like a snake, when disconnected.

Wil's how to on the tack cluster swap has some good pics:

http://www.clubprotege.com/wil/howto/tachometer/index.htm

[darkdan]

I can't get mine undone (from the transmission side).

When I try to turn it the thing just smashes. Does it matter? Should I just let it buck and give it hell?

Or am I turning the wrong dang thing? LOL.

[ericsmith32]

Should unscrew the large nut on the speedo gear, the aspire has another junction before the firewall. If you continue to let it buck it will go out at the most unsuspecting time. A friend let it his do this, btw a new cluster runs around $200 with labor $350 :shock: I told him I could do it for $100 :lol: a used cluster costs less than 20 at the pick-n-pull. Mine loved moly grease, nice and slippery . All I did was use a injector needle in the cluster, and in all of the ends including the transmission end. Good so far.

[Phoenix06]

On my 92 manual festiva, one removes the single 10mm fastener where the cable enters the transmission. You may have to pry to break the seal. Lift the plastic gear/cable housing up. Pull the cable out. Lube the cable. A bent speedometer cable may scrape and cause the speed pointer to oscillate. As you note, the sound varies with the speed. If you shift into neutral while moving the sound should remain constant.
Regards
John

[Festiva_newbie]

even if it's not in neutral, and drive at a constant speed, it keeps up at the same noise level, except it kinda makes a loud squeal here and there and never really constant... We just got hit with snow, and Im moving into my new place next week, where i'll be able to work in the garage, so I'll take a look at it in there...

It seems to be a little quieter the longer I drive it like this, and everything is still working...

Thanks for the input guys.