my speedometer gauge jumps - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pokethesmot · 01-20-2009, 09:24 PM

well i dint get a great look at it but on my way to school it would be fine and go to the right speed but as soon as i keep going that same speed it will jump up and down in what it look like 5-10 mph increments and since i don't have a license it is kind of a big issue for me to go the right speed lol but what do i need to do to fix this

asphaltburner · 01-20-2009, 10:14 PM

Yo! pokethesmot!
You need a new speedo cable.
Todd.

Albatrossian · 01-20-2009, 10:20 PM

Need a new speedo cable.

79Silv4x4 · 01-20-2009, 11:30 PM

Ya need a license

Seriously though, I think the cable cable is the way to go. . .

PhilaTruck · 01-20-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pokethesmot

since i don't have a license it is kind of a big issue for me to go the right speed lol but what do i need to do to fix this

Not that you need to hear this but get your license. Yea, I know, Duh.

If I remember correctly, you have a "less than stock" exhaust. It don't take much to get you pulled over.

Anyhow- my speedo does the same thing. And I just replaced the cable. It didn't work at all before.

willett · 01-21-2009, 12:32 AM

mine has done it a few times while driving down the highway.

jumps up to the very top and and then down to zero and the up and down and it goes ape**** to the point that i'm going to pull over and disconnect it, and then it works fine again!

weirdness

heavychevy79 · 01-21-2009, 03:46 AM

Nope. I changed out a perfect working 85 MPH speedo to a 100 MPH speedo
that now jumps around a 20 MPH window.
My gas gauge jumps around too, and it has no cable.

I think there is a friction peice in the gauges that wears out, but how to fix it
I have no idea.

pokethesmot · 01-21-2009, 08:34 AM

how much is a speedometer cable? and about the license. the test place is kinda far away and my mom has terminal cancer so she never really feels good enough to take me and i only drive to G.E.D school my girlfriend drives almost every where else cuz she has a license lol

mhicks · 01-21-2009, 10:45 AM

I have never seen the fix for this problem but it sounds to me like the flexible shaft that turns the speedometer is binding inside it's housing. It binds then torques up a little bit then lets go and that is causing the jump. Maybe pull the cable and put some good lubricant on it.
Sounds good to me?

PhilaTruck · 01-21-2009, 11:06 AM

That sounds like that makes sense, mhicks.

Cables are what, $25? (I paid less for mine.)

But before you buy one, definitely lube the thing. Unfasten both ends and squirt some wd40 down the cable.

I'm very sorry to hear about your mother's illness.

-Todd

silvereagle07 · 01-21-2009, 12:13 PM

My old 81 was the same way, it would bind in the sleeve. I remove the instrument cluster and sprayed CRC Powerlube into the cable housng. It worked fine after that.

Malo83 · 01-21-2009, 01:49 PM

Mine would bounce around whenever i would go on a long trip at high speeds, but just around town it never acts up

Pyrotechnic · 01-21-2009, 02:07 PM

One thing you can try first before spending money is to remove the speedometer cable from the truck, then pull out the inner cable. Soak it in solvent and get it clean. Spray some carb cleaner down the outer cable and get the gunk out of it. Let everything dry.

Get a can of white lithium grease and coat the inner cable with it, then thread it back into the outer cable. Reinstall on your truck and it should work like new.

pokethesmot · 01-21-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic

One thing you can try first before spending money is to remove the speedometer cable from the truck, then pull out the inner cable. Soak it in solvent and get it clean. Spray some carb cleaner down the outer cable and get the gunk out of it. Let everything dry.

Get a can of white lithium grease and coat the inner cable with it, then thread it back into the outer cable. Reinstall on your truck and it should work like new.

i know this is gunna sound like a newb question but where does the speedometer cable connect too

mhicks · 01-21-2009, 02:13 PM

Back of the transmission.

dammitmitchell · 01-21-2009, 03:55 PM

hey after u pull it and reinstall it make sure it isnt hitting your exhaust pipes itll melt in in a few moments..
i had my belly dumps installed and the jerks left the cable hanging on my pipes and cost me 20 bucks and a few moments of heartache

PhilaTruck · 01-21-2009, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

hey after u pull it and reinstall it make sure it isnt hitting your exhaust pipes itll melt in in a few moments..
i had my belly dumps installed and the jerks left the cable hanging on my pipes and cost me 20 bucks and a few moments of heartache

That's good advice. That's what the jerks did to me!

Hey wait a minute, I did it myself. Oh well. I'm a jerk.

01-20-2009, 09:24 PM	#1
pokethesmot profeshinaly unimployed Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: hazlehurst, GA Posts: 1,232	my speedometer gauge jumps well i dint get a great look at it but on my way to school it would be fine and go to the right speed but as soon as i keep going that same speed it will jump up and down in what it look like 5-10 mph increments and since i don't have a license it is kind of a big issue for me to go the right speed lol but what do i need to do to fix this __________________ my ride click here my myspace "having mud flaps is like asking for a smaller trophy"

01-20-2009, 10:14 PM	#2
asphaltburner Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ault, Colorado Posts: 862	Re: my speedometer gauge jumps Yo! pokethesmot! You need a new speedo cable. Todd. __________________ '78 3/4 ton 4x4 custom "Todd-built" FRANKENTRUCK!

01-20-2009, 10:20 PM	#3
Albatrossian Georgia Boy Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Douglas, Georgia Posts: 370	Re: my speedometer gauge jumps Need a new speedo cable. __________________ 81 GMC High Sierra, 2WD, 357ci/700R4, 3.73s, posi.

01-20-2009, 11:30 PM	#4
79Silv4x4 Workaholic Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 1,589	Re: my speedometer gauge jumps Ya need a license Seriously though, I think the cable cable is the way to go. . . __________________ 1979 K-10 Silverado (work in progress) 1991 V1500 Subruban 1999 Suburban LT 4x4 2006 Suburban LTZ (daily driver)

01-21-2009, 12:32 AM	#6
willett Another Day, Another Dollar Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: North Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,316	Re: my speedometer gauge jumps mine has done it a few times while driving down the highway. jumps up to the very top and and then down to zero and the up and down and it goes ape**** to the point that i'm going to pull over and disconnect it, and then it works fine again! weirdness __________________ -78 K20 Cheyenne 454 long box, 4" lift, 35" MT's, '84 cab, '80 box "its hip to be square"

01-21-2009, 03:46 AM	#7
heavychevy79 Cheyenne Super Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 545	Re: my speedometer gauge jumps Nope. I changed out a perfect working 85 MPH speedo to a 100 MPH speedo that now jumps around a 20 MPH window. My gas gauge jumps around too, and it has no cable. I think there is a friction peice in the gauges that wears out, but how to fix it I have no idea.

01-21-2009, 08:34 AM	#8
pokethesmot profeshinaly unimployed Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: hazlehurst, GA Posts: 1,232	Re: my speedometer gauge jumps how much is a speedometer cable? and about the license. the test place is kinda far away and my mom has terminal cancer so she never really feels good enough to take me and i only drive to G.E.D school my girlfriend drives almost every where else cuz she has a license lol __________________ my ride click here my myspace "having mud flaps is like asking for a smaller trophy"

01-21-2009, 10:45 AM	#9
mhicks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Weatherford,Tx Posts: 747	Re: my speedometer gauge jumps I have never seen the fix for this problem but it sounds to me like the flexible shaft that turns the speedometer is binding inside it's housing. It binds then torques up a little bit then lets go and that is causing the jump. Maybe pull the cable and put some good lubricant on it. Sounds good to me?

01-21-2009, 11:06 AM	#10
PhilaTruck Right on the line, baby! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Phila, PA 19130 Posts: 1,486	Re: my speedometer gauge jumps That sounds like that makes sense, mhicks. Cables are what, $25? (I paid less for mine.) But before you buy one, definitely lube the thing. Unfasten both ends and squirt some wd40 down the cable. I'm very sorry to hear about your mother's illness. -Todd __________________ 83 GMC 406 th400/3.73 Eaton Truetrac posi, headers, x pipe, & racePros. Tubular control arms, lowering rear springs, caltracs. Still ugly, but getting built right, although slowly Click and scroll down for site vendors! Subscribe here!

01-21-2009, 12:13 PM	#11
silvereagle07 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bailey, NC Posts: 2,462	Re: my speedometer gauge jumps My old 81 was the same way, it would bind in the sleeve. I remove the instrument cluster and sprayed CRC Powerlube into the cable housng. It worked fine after that. __________________ Jeramy '84 GMC project truck '85 Chevy 4X4 SOLD '07 Chevy Trailblazer SS 5th Annual SHPHC Car/Truck Show Pics http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=543605 UPDATED PICS! CHECK 'EM OUT

01-21-2009, 01:49 PM	#12
Malo83 Cruzzzn' Vet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Porterville,Ca. Posts: 1,918	Re: my speedometer gauge jumps Mine would bounce around whenever i would go on a long trip at high speeds, but just around town it never acts up

01-21-2009, 02:07 PM	#13
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: my speedometer gauge jumps One thing you can try first before spending money is to remove the speedometer cable from the truck, then pull out the inner cable. Soak it in solvent and get it clean. Spray some carb cleaner down the outer cable and get the gunk out of it. Let everything dry. Get a can of white lithium grease and coat the inner cable with it, then thread it back into the outer cable. Reinstall on your truck and it should work like new. __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande

01-21-2009, 02:13 PM	#15
mhicks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Weatherford,Tx Posts: 747	Re: my speedometer gauge jumps Back of the transmission.

01-21-2009, 03:55 PM	#16
dammitmitchell the pollock Join Date: May 2008 Location: abilene, texas Posts: 4,423	Re: my speedometer gauge jumps hey after u pull it and reinstall it make sure it isnt hitting your exhaust pipes itll melt in in a few moments.. i had my belly dumps installed and the jerks left the cable hanging on my pipes and cost me 20 bucks and a few moments of heartache __________________ Jack of ALL trades, Master of none.. (but one... procrastination) Army vet 02-08 RIP El Jay! Miss you brother! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=343538 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=386042



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