Speedometer trouble
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Junior User
Joined: May 2008
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Speedometer trouble
My speedo reads faster than I am traveling in cold or damp weather. I am looking for some pointers on repairing it. I am thinking of using penetrating oil on the mechanism. Will this help it or hurt it? Anyone else having trouble. I doubt another used one would be better but who knows. thanks, Jeremy
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: fort bragg, North Carolin
thats an interesting observation I don't think ive heard of that hapening I wouldn't use penetrating oil as it is only a temporary fix you should use lithium grease in fact I believe they sell spedometer lube
Certified Thread Hijacker
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It ONLY reads faster in those conditions, and normal during other times?
That's weird. I could see erratic behavior like needle bounce or maybe even slower than normal, to a point, during cold weather, but not faster.
Josh
That's weird. I could see erratic behavior like needle bounce or maybe even slower than normal, to a point, during cold weather, but not faster.
Josh
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,056
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From: Indiana, PA
I almost have to think something is just worn out, like the gears of something. It is all gears on gears, not electrical sensor crap and what have you. Cant imagine what the temps would have to do with it.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Montgomery, IL
sounds like a worn out gear to me. If you are worried about the cable and want to lube it you can disconnect the speedo from the dash and pour some graphite lube down the cable. That way you will know that the cable is lubed.
Since it does it when cold maybe you have a worn plastic gear at the trans end and it contracts in the cold and may not be making complete contact now. Easy enough to change out.
Since it does it when cold maybe you have a worn plastic gear at the trans end and it contracts in the cold and may not be making complete contact now. Easy enough to change out.
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Montgomery, IL
could be. just throwing ideas out there. best to pull the gear and check it out.
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Maybe it's the air in the tires.
Yeah yeah laugh, but I had a motorcycle that had drastically different speedo readings depending on the tire temperature.
So if it's -10 and gets to 50 you'll have different readings to a point.
Josh
Josh
Yeah yeah laugh, but I had a motorcycle that had drastically different speedo readings depending on the tire temperature.
So if it's -10 and gets to 50 you'll have different readings to a point.
Josh
Josh
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From: Norton, MA
I've been having speedo issues, mine is just a worn out gear, so it reeds erratic from a cold start, correct after a few minutes, and then when warm, usually not at all, as the plastic is soft then.
I can't come up with why anything would make it go faster though, cold or warm. Has the problem just started recently?
AleX
I can't come up with why anything would make it go faster though, cold or warm. Has the problem just started recently?
AleX
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Stanley, VA
My guess would be the speedometer head itself is the problem.
The way a speedometer works is the cable spins a magnetic disc thats shaped like a cup. Another disc sits inside this "cup" and has a very light coil spring and the speedometer needle attached to it.
As the cupped disc spins it wants to drag the other disc with it. The disc turns against spring tension and in turn moves the needle across the speedo scale.
30+ years of gunk and dirt are probably making the disc drag and stick.
Sounds like its time to get the speedometer head cleaned and lubricated.
The way a speedometer works is the cable spins a magnetic disc thats shaped like a cup. Another disc sits inside this "cup" and has a very light coil spring and the speedometer needle attached to it.
As the cupped disc spins it wants to drag the other disc with it. The disc turns against spring tension and in turn moves the needle across the speedo scale.
30+ years of gunk and dirt are probably making the disc drag and stick.
Sounds like its time to get the speedometer head cleaned and lubricated.
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Joined: May 2008
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My guess would be the speedometer head itself is the problem.
The way a speedometer works is the cable spins a magnetic disc thats shaped like a cup. Another disc sits inside this "cup" and has a very light coil spring and the speedometer needle attached to it.
As the cupped disc spins it wants to drag the other disc with it. The disc turns against spring tension and in turn moves the needle across the speedo scale.
30+ years of gunk and dirt are probably making the disc drag and stick.
Sounds like its time to get the speedometer head cleaned and lubricated.
The way a speedometer works is the cable spins a magnetic disc thats shaped like a cup. Another disc sits inside this "cup" and has a very light coil spring and the speedometer needle attached to it.
As the cupped disc spins it wants to drag the other disc with it. The disc turns against spring tension and in turn moves the needle across the speedo scale.
30+ years of gunk and dirt are probably making the disc drag and stick.
Sounds like its time to get the speedometer head cleaned and lubricated.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
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My speedo bounces around until I reach about 25 mph, then it smooths out and performs fine after that. I have replaced my speedo cable and the gear that go's into my trany and still bounces around. Kinda drives me a little crazy
Anyone have any fixes on this issue??
Anyone have any fixes on this issue??