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Old Sep 29, 2017 | 01:43 PM
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dixiehornford
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speedo not working

the speedometer doesnt work in my 85 f250 4x4 i pulled the cable and it seemed fine. i put my finger in the spot where the cable goes and i felt a gear and it started to spin. the cable seemed fine, so i put it back in there and it still doesnt work, is there a fuse that couldve gotten blown out a resister maybe?
 
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Old Sep 29, 2017 | 06:05 PM
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Your speedometer is totally mechanical, no electrical involved in it except the night time illumination.

Pull the cable off the transfer case, and while someone is watching the speedo twirl the cable quickly with your fingers. The speedo should jump up each time you spin the cable. If not, it's time to take it apart in the cluster. Twirl it both ways in case you go the wrong direction.
 
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Old Sep 29, 2017 | 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by dixiehornford
the speedometer doesnt work in my 85 f250 4x4 i pulled the cable and it seemed fine. i put my finger in the spot where the cable goes and i felt a gear and it started to spin. the cable seemed fine, so i put it back in there and it still doesnt work, is there a fuse that couldve gotten blown out a resister maybe?
Speedometer DRIVEN gear located on the end of the cable, speedometer DRIVE gear located on the output shaft (except with C6).

The gears are usually nylon and can strip. There are also a gear inside the speedometer, but Ford didn't sell them separately.

If this gear is stripped you'll have to find a speedo shop to have it replaced or replace the entire speedo.

Inside the speedo cables housing is a woven steel core that is supposed to be lubed every so often, but most people are unaware.

When the lube dries out, the woven steel core binds up inside the housing, eventually snaps.

Auto parts stores sell a universal woven steel core kit, cut it to length, coat with a fine film of graphite, install in the housing.
 
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