vague speedo

[XFSTag]

Hi need a bit of advice:?

Next job I want to tackle is my speedo which leaps about all over the place, then settles down and wavers between around 10mph gaps so is never that accurate. In fact my son said to me today Dad are we doing 50 or 70 as it was having a fit bouncing around the dial.

I guess it's probably the cable not fitted properly but is it more likely to be the head or the Gearbox end beforeI start?

I know it's not s critical issue but one I'd like to sort out, expecially with all these damn cameras around you need to be fairly accurate!

[european voyager]

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It could be the cable routed around a bend too tight or the cable breaking up inside , It may be worth taking it out and checking the inner cable , if it is ok , lube it up and retry it.

[XFSTag]

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Cheers

Is it best taken out from the dash end ?

Many thanks

[european voyager]

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If I remember correctly it will only come out one way , And I cant remember which way , sorry.

[norstag]

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my speedo used to jump around like yours, and I tried new cables and rerouting them , but in the end I had the speedo reconditioned and calibrated at speedy cables and it is perfect now. The inner cable comes out upwards if you want to check it. Alan

[milothedog]

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I've not had a Stag one out but back in the day's as they say they could only come out at the speedo end because of a collar on it. what happens some times is the square drive on the cable wears and it slips making the needle waver. In the past I have repaired them by carefully dropping a bit of braze on it and filing it into shape again

If you do take it out don't forget to grease it lightly when you refit it and make sure it has engaged at the other end before refitting the speedo end.

Ian.

[XFSTag]

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Thanks

I'll have a look tomorrow and see what I can do

I think the speedo has been changed a few years ago judging by MOTs for a new one. Which began 0005 mls on one of the MOTs. Now has 2900 on so not seen a lot of action so I think your right about the cable possibly being the issue

I'll report back tomorrow

[AlanD]

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it might be on the engine end, mine was the same below 50, then wards fitted my engine and it's perfect now, i know they did'nt fit a new one so i presume by takeing it out and refitting it, it has settled it down
hope this helps

[Andy Rundell]

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mine waved around +/-20mph ever since i'd had the car, while i was doing the engine work recently i replace the cable, when taking the old one out i did find that the angle drive at the gearbox end was very loose.

After tightening and fitting the new one the speed is now rock solid - not sure which fix was the right one - but the loose fitting could not have helped

.........Andy

[XFSTag]

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Thanks for the input everyone

I plan to have a nose at the speedoeither tomorrow or Monday

Did the usual thought I'll take the top down go for a run in the sunthen thought look at the dust and years of Sh*te in the hood tub. Before you know it the seats were out the panels were off and I have been cleaning and farting about all day with that!

Been repairing a botched speaker job in the cubbies. Can't put them back to new state but they will certainly look better and some new speakers to go in anyway. If nothing else I am please the whole area is totally rust free. I might stick the wax gun down the crevices and box sections whilst it's all out now.

Mrs says I need to fit rear belts too.....it never ends Still I love spending time with my other woman and at least this time I am not covered in oil! Whoooeeerr

[XFSTag]

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Took out the speedo removed the cable, couldn't see any wear on the sections which engage at either end. Solightly greased it and tried to get it back in ...damn thing wouldn't engage. So after 20 minutes of fiddling and a cup of tea to mull it over I stuck the car on the ramps and had a look at the gearbox end. This seems to have a tight curve where it goes into the box due to the lack of space between the box and the tunnel. So I did my best to hold this at less of an angle whilst my son fed thecable centre in, which worked a treat.

After all that the damn thing still bounces around and never settles. It actually stck at 20mph at one stage which makes me think maybe the head unit is b*ggered. I know this was a changed a few years ago according to the MOT's mileages as it goes back to 0005 from 60K the previous year. Just on 3000 now so not a lot of use since the change, but maybe not a "new" unit ?

Before I start to find another head unit is there anything else I should try?

Cheers Glyn

[XFSTag]

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Quick update for anyone with a similar issue.

Turns out this problem wasn't the cable at all. The speedo head was faulty. I managed to get a very good document from a chap restoring a triumph on another sitewhich gives detailed instructions on taking apart and repairing Jaeger and Smiths speedometers.

Good news is with a bit of fiddling and a couple of attempts the speedo now reads nice and steady and stopped having it's fits! I even took the opportunity to clean the whole this and repaint the inside as the dreaded rust had begun to get a hold! Even inside the clocks! Also cleaned up the rev counter too. Now I just need new veneers

If anyone would like a copy of the document PM your email and I wing you it across might be of use.

[XFSTag]

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Had a couple of questions on this so in case yours is doing the same and your not sure if its the cable or the head do this.

Take the head out of the dash.

Then use a battery operated drill to drive the head . If you have a long square drive which will fit, fine if not like me find something else!I improvised with a wooden kebab stick (yes I know not in the Draper catalogue!!) but if you have one trim off the sharp end with pliers and clean it up so no loose bits to come off and it's fits a treat. Stick it in the drill driver and the other end carefully in the drive of the speedo and run in reverse, slowly bring up the speed and hold it steady. Mine was bouncing around like b*ggery so I guessed it was the head playing up not the cable.

Also my drill can do nearly 70MPH

I had resigned myself to having to fork out for another one but thought I would give the repair a try. Follow the guide to take the unit apart and then try the stick in the drive again turning anti clockwise with your fingers. I could hear a slight grating noise every revolution. Make sure you mark the drag cup and the unit to aid re-fitting as suggested in the guide or you will knacker the calibration.

On mine the dragcup was binding slightly which was causing the jumping about so I merely used some gentle force to adjust the magnet which runs in the middle and a touch of light oil. Try this if yours does the same and revolve with the stick/your fingersagain. If this clears the noise try the drill again.Stuck it back and it works a treat. Lord knows how long for, but it was worth a go. I didn't remove the mileometer section or the trip as this looked complicated and not required to sort the issue out with mine. Done a 40 mile round trip today and all ok

Hope this all helps and don't laugh to hard at my improvised drive! It worked:dude: