Speedo getting stuck

[ApacheNick]

I pulled my gauge panel out yesterday to fix the falling off clutch linkage and now my speedo is getting stuck. The needle is getting hung up at what ever my highest speed between stops was and the only fix seems to be pulling the cable out of the speedo. Any ideas on what I broke.

Truck is a 72 GM K-15 350/sm465/np205.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by ApacheNick

I pulled my gauge panel out yesterday to fix the falling off clutch linkage and now my speedo is getting stuck. The needle is getting hung up at what ever my highest speed between stops was and the only fix seems to be pulling the cable out of the speedo. Any ideas on what I broke.

Truck is a 72 GM K-15 350/sm465/np205.

Remove the cable at both ends and re-connect the cable at the back of the speedometer first. Then re-connect the lower end. Make sure that the square end of the inner cable is inserted into the fitting on each end before screwing on the retaining collar.

LockDoc

[Willys_MB]

While you’re at it, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to clean and lube your cable. I just take the housing and spray it out with brake/carb cleaner until it comes out clear. I do the same with the cable, but use a cloth to clean it. Then lube it with white lithium grease, speedo cable lube, or another reliable lubricant of your choice. There are lots of threads (and arguments about what lube to use) on the forums here

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by Willys_MB

While you’re at it, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to clean and lube your cable. I just take the housing and spray it out with brake/carb cleaner until it comes out clear. I do the same with the cable, but use a cloth to clean it. Then lube it with white lithium grease, speedo cable lube, or another reliable lubricant of your choice. There are lots of threads (and arguments about what lube to use) on the forums here

I agree with all of this except for the white lithium grease. You may have issues there if you are in a cold climate. Down south, no problem.

[Willys_MB]

Originally Posted by mrein3

I agree with all of this except for the white lithium grease. You may have issues there if you are in a cold climate. Down south, no problem.

Like I said, lots of differing opinions on the forum

[ApacheNick]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Remove the cable at both ends and re-connect the cable at the back of the speedometer first. Then re-connect the lower end. Make sure that the square end of the inner cable is inserted into the fitting on each end before screwing on the retaining collar.

LockDoc

Ok, I did this and it I working better, but still not quite right. I'm starting to think that the speedo it's self might be the problem. I noticed when I had the cable disconnected that the needle still hangs up. I'm thinking that this weekend I'll take it apart and see if anything can be done.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by ApacheNick

Ok, I did this and it I working better, but still not quite right. I'm starting to think that the speedo it's self might be the problem. I noticed when I had the cable disconnected that the needle still hangs up. I'm thinking that this weekend I'll take it apart and see if anything can be done.

Might be a good idea. I have never tried lubing one so no suggestions there. If I was going to try anything I think I would try using a toothpick or "Q"-tip and some PB blaster, one drop at a time. Don't get any on the face or the number wheels, just on the pivot points and where the cable goes in.

Like Willys said it may not hurt to pull the cable out of the housing and clean and lube it. I just use a light oil on mine.


LockDoc

[BigBird05]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

Might be a good idea. I have never tried lubing one so no suggestions there. If I was going to try anything I think I would try using a toothpick or "Q"-tip and some PB blaster, one drop at a time. Don't get any on the face or the number wheels, just on the pivot points and where the cable goes in.

Like Willys said it may not hurt to pull the cable out of the housing and clean and lube it. I just use a light oil on mine.


LockDoc

They used to make a graphite speedo cable lube. I don't no if it is still available. You can get graphite lube for house door locks.

[cj847]

I am having trouble with my speedometer. It is making a clicking noise intermittently. I had purchased a new cable and speedometer lube and installed that 3-4 weeks ago. Unfortunately it didn't solve the problem. I know that 95% of the time it is the cable - but, has anyone actually done something to the speedometer that fixed an issue?
Thanks for any insights.

[Rich72C10]

when you say "pull out" do you mean pull it a bit out or you pull the whole darn thing out to clean and lube? The other part, connect to Speedo and *then* connect to transmission sounds like something I need to do (see below my new problem and what I did before it happened).

I had a bit of clicking going on and I think all the times I disconnected it working on the dash cluster I "de-oiled it". So I just disconnected it from the speedo and pulled it into the engine bay. I could pull the center a bit - cleaned it and used some machine oil and slightly greased the head area with super lube grease.

Click is gone, the old .5~1 MPH oscillating is more or less gone - which makes me very happy!

But I introduced a new issue: When I am taking off from a dead stop it hangs around 0 and *jumps* up to 10 MPH. After that "jump" from 0 to 10 MPH it's smooth sailing.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Rich72C10

when you say "pull out" do you mean pull it a bit out or you pull the whole darn thing out to clean and lube? The other part, connect to Speedo and *then* connect to transmission sounds like something I need to do (see below my new problem and what I did before it happened).

I had a bit of clicking going on and I think all the times I disconnected it working on the dash cluster I "de-oiled it". So I just disconnected it from the speedo and pulled it into the engine bay. I could pull the center a bit - cleaned it and used some machine oil and slightly greased the head area with super lube grease.

Click is gone, the old .5~1 MPH oscillating is more or less gone - which makes me very happy!

But I introduced a new issue: When I am taking off from a dead stop it hangs around 0 and *jumps* up to 10 MPH. After that "jump" from 0 to 10 MPH it's smooth sailing.

Yep, pull the inner cable all the way out of the housing. It will only pull out from one end. (I think from the top) Spray some penetrating oil into the housing from the top, let it stand for a while, and blow it out with an air hose. Wash the inner cable off with a solvent and wipe it dry. re-lube with a light oil and put it back together.

LockDoc

[Rich72C10]

Thanks Leon, I'll give that a go this weekend.

[ApacheNick]

Just to update this, I don't know what I did(probably nothing) but it's working properly now.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by ApacheNick

Just to update this, I don't know what I did(probably nothing) but it's working properly now.

Good deal! You never know what gremlins are lurking around....

LockDoc