SPEEDO

My speedometer occasionally makes a real racket... tic, tic, rattle, rattle,... Last nite I pulled the speedo cable off the tranny and twisted it with my fingers. Seemed to feel free and made no noise. Also looked somewhat lubiricated. Could the problem be in the speedometer itself?

Most of the time it's the cable. Pull it out , take a look at it and lube it or replace it before you tackle the speedo itself.

Can I remove the ' inside ' cable from the housing? Disconnecting the cable from the tranny was easy but pulling it off from the back of the speedo is another story. My concern was that if the cable itself was pulled out of the houseing, putting it back in might be a problem. Would I be able to get the tip reconnected back into the speedo?

Replaced the cable today. What a big PITA
After 4 hours, 1 band-aid, 2 bottles of beer, a samich, and 10 cups of ice water ( it was really hot and humid here in western Pa) I was back on the road giving it a test run. So far, no racket or noise but it was only a short drive. I'm hopeful the new cable was the answer...

The parts man at my neighborhood Chevrolet dealer said to lube the speedometer cable with Vasoline. He said that is what the mechanics always used when they had cables...Sounds reasonable, as it is a very thin grease...
If you have cruise, the cable has to make a real tight corner to go in the cruise control housing. That is probably why there is so much trouble with speedometer cables...I replaced my cable about 6 months ago, and it has been trouble free since. Of course, I overhauled the cruise at the same time. That is what broke the cable. The cruise was defective..


Corvettes are fun to work on aren't they? A real big PITA!!!!


|QUOTE|apple76 said: My speedometer occasionally makes a real racket... tic, tic, rattle, rattle,... Last nite I pulled the speedo cable off the tranny and twisted it with my fingers. Seemed to feel free and made no noise. Also looked somewhat lubiricated. Could the problem be in the speedometer itself? |/QUOTE|

|UPDATED|7/2/2002 2:17:31 AM|/UPDATED|

I'm wondering if I should have lubed the new cable Well, it's too late now. I don't plan to pull that cable out any time soon. My hands still hurt from all the little cuts and bumps from working under the dash....

John,

The new cable comes with lube on it. It should be OK.


|QUOTE|apple76 said: I'm wondering if I should have lubed the new cable Well, it's too late now. I don't plan to pull that cable out any time soon. My hands still hurt from all the little cuts and bumps from working under the dash....|/QUOTE|

|UPDATED|7/2/2002 11:40:26 PM|/UPDATED|

Over on one of the "other" forums, you're always hearing how simple a fix this is--that's why I'll be ordering a new 140 Speedo for my 82. Especially since the mine dropped dead about a week ago. Already have new cables (about $30 for the two)--and I tested the speedo with a cordless drill. Sometimes it's the transducer (if you have cruise) I understand. Hope not. Replacing that looks like it will REALLY skin some knuckles

No cruise on the white princess... I'm a small guy and I had problems getting under the dash.
Best thing to do is remove the driver seat and the heat/ac duct under the steering column. That will give you some room to work. Disconnecting the cable from the tranny was easy because there is a Y pipe on my 76; duals may interfere with access

My vette didn't come with the heat/AC Ducting under the dash..not that it matters since the A/C is now very dead....but what does that look like and who should I contact to get parts(Zip being my preferred dealer...(fast and local)


Scot