Speedometer needle making full sweep
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 5
From: Fort Worth, TX
Speedometer needle making full sweep
Hello,
I think my speedometer is on its way out. It has done a random full sweep in the past but this morning, it really freaked out. As I was leaving the parking lot, going 10-15MPH, the speedometer needle did several full sweeps, pegging out, and bounced around randomly for about 30-45 seconds. It finally calmed down but now it bounces between 5MPH of the speed I am going. It bounced a little before but now it is bad. I got on the highway and noticed a buzzing sound coming from the gauge cluster. I think it is shot or getting close. The odometer seems to be working, though.
Is there any way I can fix this or am I screwed?
Thanks.
P.S. The E4OD did not go into limp mode, so I am thinking it is not the sensor. The other gauges in the cluster are operational.
I think my speedometer is on its way out. It has done a random full sweep in the past but this morning, it really freaked out. As I was leaving the parking lot, going 10-15MPH, the speedometer needle did several full sweeps, pegging out, and bounced around randomly for about 30-45 seconds. It finally calmed down but now it bounces between 5MPH of the speed I am going. It bounced a little before but now it is bad. I got on the highway and noticed a buzzing sound coming from the gauge cluster. I think it is shot or getting close. The odometer seems to be working, though.
Is there any way I can fix this or am I screwed?
Thanks.
P.S. The E4OD did not go into limp mode, so I am thinking it is not the sensor. The other gauges in the cluster are operational.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,737
Likes: 179
From: Western Mass
I disagree with Joe's comment. That sensor is either for ABS, transmission control (auto), or cruise. It has no bearing whatsoever on the speedometer.
I'll agree with the speedo cable either binding or its broken. The cable shouldn't cost too much to replace. Make sure the new ones is well lubricated with something like a silicone spray that won't gunk up over time. You may be able to pull out the old one, clean it up and regrease it, but I can't remember if the inner cable can be pulled out or not.
I'll agree with the speedo cable either binding or its broken. The cable shouldn't cost too much to replace. Make sure the new ones is well lubricated with something like a silicone spray that won't gunk up over time. You may be able to pull out the old one, clean it up and regrease it, but I can't remember if the inner cable can be pulled out or not.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 5
From: Fort Worth, TX
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 5
From: Fort Worth, TX
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Peterborough, Ontario
Pick out the one applicable to your truck. Looks like 2wd autos are at least 64-66", longer will work, except you may have too much extra bend/curve to deal with.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 5
From: Fort Worth, TX
I am concerned that the extra length will contribute to more wear as the cable will be internally bound up against the external sheathing.
I was going to salvage a spare gauge cluster from a truck while I was at the junk yard in MA but I couldn't figure out how to get the speedometer cable detached from the cluster. I was in a hurry and it was freezing out, so I left it. Any advice on how to get it apart? Is there a special tool or something?
I was going to salvage a spare gauge cluster from a truck while I was at the junk yard in MA but I couldn't figure out how to get the speedometer cable detached from the cluster. I was in a hurry and it was freezing out, so I left it. Any advice on how to get it apart? Is there a special tool or something?
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 5
From: Fort Worth, TX
The weather might be good enough this weekend for me to get out and work on the speedometer issue. Before I go off buying parts, I thought I should mention that the speedometer needle bounces when I hit a bump. I have seen it bounce a good 15 MPH on the dial. Am I still looking for a speedometer cable or could this be an internal problem with the speedo?
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
sounds to me like a speedometer sensor. it is on the transmission end of the speedometer cable. I would take the speedometer end out of the transmision. then take off the speedometer cable and place it into you chuck on your drill then turn it on. If you guage continues to flutter then it is your cable if it is steady, then it is the speedometer sensor.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 8,005
Likes: 7
From: Ottawa, Ontario
My speedo was bouncing all over for about 3 months throughout a winter a few years ago, did it all winter, and abit into spring.
That weird bouncing went away by it's self and never came back.
No idea what was going on, but didn't really care. lol It fixed it self
That weird bouncing went away by it's self and never came back.
No idea what was going on, but didn't really care. lol It fixed it self