Speedometer operation issue
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 1
From: Balt. Co, MD
Speedometer operation issue
The speedometer/odometer on my '84 F250 AT w/ cruise has not worked for some time. I just pulled the instrument panel and all of the cables out. Both cables turn and the speedometer spins when I turn it by hand. I was doing this in the partial dark (and without a helper to hook up a drill to the upper cable and speedo), so I might have missed something, but if I didn't, could there be another reason that the speedo wouldn't work if everything else that I can see seems to work? Either the cruise control mechanism or something in the transmission? Thanks a lot for any help.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
There is a plastic gear in the tranny that can be stripped. Pull the cable loose from the tranny, and twirl the cable with your fingers while someone sees if the speedo jumps up. If it does, then take the retaining bolt loose and pull the housing out of the tranny where the cable went. You will see a plastic gear on the end. See if it has all it's teeth.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 1
From: Balt. Co, MD
There is a plastic gear in the tranny that can be stripped. Pull the cable loose from the tranny, and twirl the cable with your fingers while someone sees if the speedo jumps up. If it does, then take the retaining bolt loose and pull the housing out of the tranny where the cable went. You will see a plastic gear on the end. See if it has all it's teeth.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
There is a gear that looks like a short worm gear that goes on the output shaft of the tranny. That's what turns the little plastic gear. If this is a 2wd, you may be able to pull the rear housing off and take a look, but I am not sure. I know you can pretty easily if it's 4x4 and has a transfer case.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,935
Likes: 34
From: Arcadia, Fla
Check the speedo cable ends, make sure they are square, I had one round off and caused a jerky speedo.
I presume you have the 2 part speedo cable, the speed sensor for the cruse control could of snapped. Other than that, check what Franklin posted.
I presume you have the 2 part speedo cable, the speed sensor for the cruse control could of snapped. Other than that, check what Franklin posted.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 1
From: Balt. Co, MD
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to hook everything back up and use a drill to see what works and doesn't. I didn't think of the edges on the cable being rounded off, I think/hope it might be that.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 1
From: Balt. Co, MD
I hooked everything back up and everything spun as it should when I hooked it up to a drill. Is the problem therefore where the cable hooks up at the transfer case?
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 1
From: Balt. Co, MD
Any idea how hard this is to correct if it's in the transfer case? I need the speedometer to work to pass a safety inspection. Thanks.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,992
Likes: 2,741
From: Virginia
Your plastic gear looks good, and when you spin it, the speedo works correct? Then it is something wrong with the other gear on the output shaft. If you can't get your head up in there with a flashlight to look in the hole, then you will have to pull the driveshaft, and then take the rear housing off the transfer case to take a look.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 1
From: Balt. Co, MD
Thanks. I can't get my head in there, but I will try to take a photo with my phone or figure something out. I'm almost positive it's a BW1345, and it seems other people have had to repair this so I hope they can be of some help.
Since I'll have to pull the drive shaft either way, I'm going to hook the speedo cable back up with the drive shaft off and make sure it doesn't spin when I hit the gas pedal. Thanks again, I'll let you know what I find out.
Since I'll have to pull the drive shaft either way, I'm going to hook the speedo cable back up with the drive shaft off and make sure it doesn't spin when I hit the gas pedal. Thanks again, I'll let you know what I find out.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 1
From: Balt. Co, MD
I was able to get under the truck with a mirror and see pretty well that the gear is worn down the middle. It looks blue. My other gear on the cable is a 16 tooth version, kind of a purple/brown. I found this speedometer gear: BW 1345, Speedometer Gear [CT-305997] - $17.99 : Automatic, Standard Transmission and Transfer Case Rebuild Kits, Cobra Transmission Parts 1-800-293-1848, Cobra Transmission, but I'm not sure it's in stock.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
93w124
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
9
Oct 4, 2020 05:59 AM
Shiveron
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Sep 30, 2014 06:44 AM
cjfaber
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
2
Jan 7, 2006 08:07 PM
onemanchan82
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Jun 13, 2003 08:04 AM