Erratic Speedo issue just started
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Erratic Speedo issue just started
On the way home today, the speedo decided to start reading faster than I was actually going. I had the cruise set at 55 on a flat stretch of highway and the needle jumped up to 60-65. It didn't just sit there either, it fluctuated a few mph also. I pulled over and shut it off thinking maybe it might help somehow. It did somewhat. The needle settled down and was accurate again, but seems to waver ever-so-slightly. I never looked closely enough at the speedo to notice if this waver was normal or not. But, is this something that is easily remedied? Do you think this will start to become a normal thing, or does this just happen sometimes? I'm now driving the beast 50 miles daily since my gas-sipping VW committed suicide, so I'm going to be on here a bit more now that I'm seeing these little issues. Its an 86 f350 460 3-sp-auto 4wd 4dr longbed (last two are irrelevant except to emphasize it being a beast
Thanks,
Erik
Thanks,
Erik
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Martinsburg, WV
You may need to pull the cluster and grease the cable. I used regular bearing grease. You pull the cable out of the housing, put some grease in the end and slowly feed and turn the cable back in, greasing as needed
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Lost
I agree the cable may need to be lubed.
However, I will say the speedo unit itself can also cause erratic things to happen. I had one in my truck that would, at times, jump to 85 MPH before the tires made one full revolution. Other times, I could drive for up to 2 miles without the needle moving at all. Meanwhile, the odometer clicked off the distance accurately. I suspect the speedo head itself just needed to be lubed, as it was 30 years old. I opted to update it with a newer cluster with a tach and trip reset speedo from a salvage. That works correctly, proving it was the speedo head itself.
My old cluster is sitting on a shelf, with the speedo indicating 15 MPH..........
However, I will say the speedo unit itself can also cause erratic things to happen. I had one in my truck that would, at times, jump to 85 MPH before the tires made one full revolution. Other times, I could drive for up to 2 miles without the needle moving at all. Meanwhile, the odometer clicked off the distance accurately. I suspect the speedo head itself just needed to be lubed, as it was 30 years old. I opted to update it with a newer cluster with a tach and trip reset speedo from a salvage. That works correctly, proving it was the speedo head itself.
My old cluster is sitting on a shelf, with the speedo indicating 15 MPH..........
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 210
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From: Welland, On
On my 84 F250 I had to replace the gear in the tranny. It broke where the cable went into the gear. While I had the cable out, I decided to clean and grease the cable. The cable was hard to get out. I don't know how this happened. But what I ended up doing is using an index drill bit to drill out the end that was binding. Index drill because I wanted to take some material out but not too much. Cleaned and lubed now. Works great and I don't think it will eat another gear because there is no binding.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 924
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From: Johns Creek GA
I have a problem that is similar in some respects...when I am driving slowly, the speedometer needle bounces around the correct speed; if I am driving 20, for example, the needle will bounce between 15 and 25. The faster I go the less bouncing there is, until I hit 45mph or so at which point the needle settles down completely.
Am I correct in guessing that the cable is binding at some point in the rotation, causing the bouncing? Is grease likely to be sufficient to fix the problem, or does something more need to be done?
Am I correct in guessing that the cable is binding at some point in the rotation, causing the bouncing? Is grease likely to be sufficient to fix the problem, or does something more need to be done?
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Muskegon Mi
I have a problem that is similar in some respects...when I am driving slowly, the speedometer needle bounces around the correct speed; if I am driving 20, for example, the needle will bounce between 15 and 25. The faster I go the less bouncing there is, until I hit 45mph or so at which point the needle settles down completely.
Am I correct in guessing that the cable is binding at some point in the rotation, causing the bouncing? Is grease likely to be sufficient to fix the problem, or does something more need to be done?
Am I correct in guessing that the cable is binding at some point in the rotation, causing the bouncing? Is grease likely to be sufficient to fix the problem, or does something more need to be done?
If more does need to be done, you will need to replace the cable. I use lithium grease, try a few shots down each end and see if it makes any change first.
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Dorsai, That sounds like (but i have no way to prove it) that your cable might be starting to bind up....As for my case, the issue hasn't happened again in the last 200 miles. I'll take all the advice in consideration if the issue gets worse. Thanks all...
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