speedometer issue

[spoman]

Lately, I've been having an issue with my speedometer. After changing the fluid in my transaxle, I heard a grinding noise coming from behind the dash board. After checking here and other websites, I lubed the speedometer cable with graphite powder. The cable seemed like it was good shape, a little worn. After that the speedometer ran fine but it still made a grinding noise below 25 mph. So I added more graphite powder, it ran fine for a few miles, but stopped showing the speed. So, I decided to try something other than graphite powder and used white lithium grease. There was no more grinding, but after 1/4 of a mile it would stop showing speed whatsoever. Every time I remove and reinstall the speedometer cable on the transaxle, it's the same thing it's runs fine for maybe 1/2 of a mile but then it just stops showing my speed. I checked the speedometer gear, the cable and the speedometer itself, and everything seems to be fine. Has this happened to anyone else? Is there anything I missed? anybody have any ideas?

[Bert]

I had a jumpy speedo a few years ago. First off I discovered the nylon gear wheel in the tranny had split (but not broken) and when replaced the speedo worked a little bit better. Ultimately though I replaced the cluster (upgrade to tach) and the jumpy-ness entirely disappeared.
Should be lots of members here that can get you another speedo to try out, cheap. I have spare metric and mile non-tach speedos if you figure you might want one, only problem is shipping to USA tends to be pricey.

[nitrofarm]

There is only one way that the speedometer wont read anything. You just need to find out were its broken. And it sounds like the best place to start is were the plastic gear attach's to the shaft that also seconds as a dip stick. Just by you saying that its works after you pull it out, but then stops after a half mile. Pull the dip stick out with gear hold the top portion with a flat tip & turn the plastic gear with your fingers. Or maybe the collar nut isnt seating the cable assembly onto the dip stick portion.

[Bert]

There is only one way that the speedometer wont read anything. You just need to find out were its broken. And it sounds like the best place to start is were the plastic gear attach's to the shaft that also seconds as a dip stick. Just by you saying that its works after you pull it out, but then stops after a half mile. Pull the dip stick out with gear hold the top portion with a flat tip & turn the plastic gear with your fingers. Or maybe the collar nut isnt seating the cable assembly onto the dip stick portion.

He's right; the cable is likely broken somewhere and engages for a short period of time every time you play with it.

[spoman]

There is only one way that the speedometer wont read anything. You just need to find out were its broken. And it sounds like the best place to start is were the plastic gear attach's to the shaft that also seconds as a dip stick. Just by you saying that its works after you pull it out, but then stops after a half mile. Pull the dip stick out with gear hold the top portion with a flat tip & turn the plastic gear with your fingers. Or maybe the collar nut isnt seating the cable assembly onto the dip stick portion.

I'll check the gear to see if it's broken, but it looked okay when I pulled it out last time. It did seem a little loose where the cable meets the speedometer gear. The threads for the collar nut are a little stripped, but I can still tighten it down and it won't pull out. When I lubed it with the white lithium grease, I had to pull out the entire cable to do so, and I didn't see any breaks in it. Also, when I took the speedometer out to check it, the cable was sticking out of the boot maybe an inch or so when I reattached it. So I suppose the very tip of it broke off in the speedometer itself.

While we're on the subject, in what position is the roll pin that holds the speedometer gear in place supposed to be? Whenever I try to reattach the speedometer gear housing, I have to point down into the transaxle just to get it to fit. Is it supposed to hold the gear in place while the car is running or is it just to keep the gear in place while it's being installed in the transaxle?

[Huli]

Have you tired pulling the cable out of the sleeve?

I know on my old Merkur, it was having a similar issue, turned out the wound cable had broken. When adding graphite or grease, it would make the broken bit stick a bit more. I ended up having to replace the core.

If you need one, there is a Festy in the JY still here (as of last weekend), I can go grab it for you.

[spoman]

Have you tired pulling the cable out of the sleeve?

I know on my old Merkur, it was having a similar issue, turned out the wound cable had broken. When adding graphite or grease, it would make the broken bit stick a bit more. I ended up having to replace the core.

If you need one, there is a Festy in the JY still here (as of last weekend), I can go grab it for you.

Yes I did. It seemed like it was in good shape, but I'll let you if I need one.

[nitrofarm]

It did seem a little loose where the cable meets the speedometer gear. The threads for the collar nut are a little stripped, but I can still tighten it down and it won't pull out.
While we're on the subject, in what position is the roll pin that holds the speedometer gear in place supposed to be? Whenever I try to reattach the speedometer gear housing, I have to point down into the transaxle just to get it to fit. Is it supposed to hold the gear in place while the car is running or is it just to keep the gear in place while it's being installed in the transaxle?

These two thing could be it....you mentioned the collar thread are messed up. This could keep the cable end fron engaging into the gear housing.
And the "Roll Pin" is there to keep the plastic gear attached. But I dont get what your saying about having to "Point Down" while installing? Maybe if you dont find anything after your next attempt you could post some Macro's so we can see the conditon. But to me the cable is either sheared or the cable end is jumping out of the slot in the Gear housing.

[spoman]

These two thing could be it....you mentioned the collar thread are messed up. This could keep the cable end fron engaging into the gear housing.
And the "Roll Pin" is there to keep the plastic gear attached. But I dont get what your saying about having to "Point Down" while installing? Maybe if you dont find anything after your next attempt you could post some Macro's so we can see the conditon. But to me the cable is either sheared or the cable end is jumping out of the slot in the Gear housing.

If I point it down, I can pull the speedo gear out of the housing. If it's pointed to one side, I can't pull it out. I can't get the speedometer gear housing into the transaxle without having the roll pin pointing down. I'll post some pictures so you can see what I'm talking about.

[Huli]

Re: speedometer issue

Yes. Pictures.

[nitrofarm]

If I point it down, I can pull the speedo gear out of the housing. If it's pointed to one side, I can't pull it out. I can't get the speedometer gear housing into the transaxle without having the roll pin pointing down. I'll post some pictures so you can see what I'm talking about.

Is the roll pin "Loose" cuz it shouldnt be.If it is,thats the problem and you should replace the pin.It sounds like it may be coming out via Centrifical force. But I dont no how it would get loose enough to be able to come out?

[spoman]

So, here's the pictures I promised:

Speedo gear housing & speedometer gear:

[spoman]

I couldn't find any cracks on the speedometer gear. Closeups of the speedometer gear:
2013-02-17_15-16-27_576.jpg2013-02-17_15-16-40_533.jpg

[spoman]

I went with nitrofarm's suggestion to check the pin. Apparently, a previous owner (who by the way is really starting to tick me off) replaced the pin with something else. Honestly, it looked like a nail or something, which would explain my confusion earlier. I've never had to fix a mechanical speedometer before. So, I've replaced it with a proper tension pin or "roll pin" and so far no problems.

Here's a couple of pics of the speedo gear housing with the "pin":
2013-02-17_15-16-02_92.jpg2013-02-17_15-15-53_520.jpg

[RhodeStiva]

speedometer issue

I have one I can sell you for $15.