FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

OK, after a year I finally got round to replacing the inner speedo cable (I know, I know, but I had other jobs that kept taking priority) anyway the cable was fine, looked pretty new as well, no frays and well lubricated.

But the speedo still doesn't work.   >:(  The symptoms when it died was working one day not working the next, followed by wavering, then died completely.  I read in the workshop manual that it could be the magnets in the speedo.

Any advice as to where to look next welcome.

Cheers, Kevin

If you hold the speedo head in your hand can you turn the speedo shaft easily? If not it can usually be freed with a light spray of WD-40 and then a light oil.

If you give it a bit of a flick in an anti clockwise direction (as viewed from the rear of the speedo) does the speedo needle fluctuate upwards?

If the answer is yes to the above then the head is most likely OK. If its not then the speedo head is faulty and can be repaired or replaced with another. I've seen them look ok from the outside but be seized internally or at the very least too tight for the low torque of the cable to drive them.

If its moving then refit the speedo, connect the cable and lay under the car with a battery drill connected to the inner speedo cable. Give the drill a spin and get someone else to confirm that it does/doesn't move. If it doesn't move then try the drill in the other direction just to make sure that there is a problem. You can try this first if you don't have the head unit removed from the car.

If it still doesn't work then check the engagement of the inner cable with the speedo drive. Maybe its not seated correctly? The nut that holds the cable to the speedo head srews on a fair way and maybe you haven't seated it correctly.

If all the above is OK possibly the speedo drive in the gearbox is at fault? Unlikely but anything is possible.

I have a spare speedo here if you can use it, not tested it but may be good for parts if not working.
Cheers, Darcy

Thanks Craig, where do you spay the WD40? I assume just in the cable connection.  I tried spinning the cable when it was out with no movement of the needle.  I'm sure it's engaged properly, but I'll check that again.  I'm really hoping it's not the gear box end.  Do they play up much?

Darcy, thanks, I've lost your contact phone number, can you pm me please. 

Kevin

At the rear of the speedo you will see where the shaft protudes - it has a square engagement hole for the cable.

This is the shaft that spins so lightly lubricate the shaft/bush area.

... as the actress said to the bishop ...  :-X

That is probably one of the best descriptions I have read on this site Craig... LMAO.  ;D

I'm with you guys, Craig you have excelled ;D

Dirty minds you lot.  ;D ;D

 Craig ... Smarter than the average bear .....All those Elocution lessons you took at the pub finally have a use ;D ;D ;D ........FC427.........