When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
The speedometer on my 86 f-250 4 speed doesn't work and hasn't since I got it 3 months ago. Is this a common problem? I found a receipt in the glove box that the speedo cable was replaced two years ago along with some other stuff. Anyone have any suggestions on what I should check? Any help is greatly appreciated.
I am trying to think of the easiest way to check it, and I guess crawling under the truck may be easier than taking the dash apart. Get under there and you should see the cable going into the side of the drivetrain near the tailshaft. Unscrew the cable housing, and if you have enough cable sticking out of the center, try twirling this with your fingers while somebody else watches the needle on the speedometer. If the needle jumps up everytime you twirl it in the right direction, then I would go ahead and pull the cylinder housing out of the side of the tranny/transfer case that the cable screwed onto. There is usually a retainer bolt and plate next to it. When you pull this out, see what condition the plastic gear is in-it may be stripped.
Dave's suggestion is a good one. Something that might work easier than the "finger twirling" is to chuck the end of the cable into a variable-speed reversible drill, and run it on low speed with the trigger locked. Then you can go look at the speedometer yourself...
[i][font color=red]-Mark[i]
[font color=green]'85 F250 4WD 460
'85 Yamaha XJ700 Maxim
'83 Mustang convertible up on blocks
[font color=blue][i]"If a man speaks and no woman hears him, is he still wrong?"[i]