Speedo 'flickers'

[Sixty's Guy]

About 12 months ago my speedo cable was replaced by a local mechanic. They said it broke when they were replacing the clutch.... Anyway ever since the needle on the gauge flickers so I can't accurately judge the exact speed. It hs only just started to really give me the irrits. Anyone know what's wrong with it and how to fix it?

 

[LukeZero]

The cable is not spinning smoothly in the housing. Sounds like it is momentarily seizing. Needs lubrication.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Or the cable is kinked under the dash or on the way there. The cable should go smoothly all the way to the speedo, sharp bends are a no-no.

 

[BlackPanzer]

I had the same thing happen... My speedometer was "ticking" and the needle would jump intermittently. To fix it I disconnected and removed the speedometer cable. After removal, I took out the metal cable from the sheath and lubed the entire length of the cable with cable lube I picked up at a local parts store. I believe it was lithium based, although I recall seeing some that were graphite based. You may be able to get something online as well. After replacement the speedometer works great; no clicking or ticking and no jumping of the needle.

It sounds like your mechanic did not lube the cable properly or really kinked it when reinstalling. I would take it back and have your mechanic fix it. If it is kinked, it is most likely at the firewall where the cable enters the cabin or just past it inside the cabin. I'm not stating I have the answers, but it sounds very similar to my past situation- hope this helps.

 

[Dynosoar]

LUBE IT UP easy fix

 

[Nemesis Gnat]

if youre lookin for lube, grab some tri flow (or some teflon based lube) or something like that at a bike store...

its what we bikers use for everything cabled

and you can just drip it down into the housing and wiggle things around... it has good spreading ability (capillary action?)

 

[ntsqd]

I was advised to heat up some 90wt. gear lube, loosen the cable at the top, and pour it in while hot. Once it cools in will tend to stay in place rather than continue to migrate down the housing and drip out.

 

[cruiser_guy]

I was advised to heat up some 90wt. gear lube, loosen the cable at the top, and pour it in while hot. Once it cools in will tend to stay in place rather than continue to migrate down the housing and drip out.

When the gear oil migrates back up the cable it will cause the speedo to pin almost as soon as you start driving (happened to my old Corolla and my FJ55). I wouldn't be using 90w to lube the speedo but that's just me!

 

[ntsqd]

Interesting, the guy who advised me to do that did it regularly for his customers. Don't know if he ever did it to a Toyota or if that matters. He did say that it doesn't take much.

 

[Sixty's Guy]

Thanks guys. I'll lube it up and see how it goes.

 

[Sixty's Guy]

I haven't got around to doing this, but do I need to remove the cable from the vehicle and then take out the 'inner' or can I remove the 'inner' with the cable still in the vehicle? I tried dripping some CRC into the cable at the speedo end, bit it must be sealed as it wouldn't go in.

 

[mp_cude]

The cable is not spinning smoothly in the housing. Sounds like it is momentarily seizing. Needs lubrication.

or is lubed too much

 

[alaska60]

I would pull it out of the rig. That way you have full access to seeing if it is not kinked and it is alot easier to deal with out. Easy lube

 

[Sixty's Guy]

I would pull it out of the rig. That way you have full access to seeing if it is not kinked and it is alot easier to deal with out. Easy lube

Cool, I'll do that. I can see that it's not kinked, so lube it must be.

 

[ToyotaDon]

I haven't got around to doing this, but do I need to remove the cable from the vehicle and then take out the 'inner' or can I remove the 'inner' with the cable still in the vehicle? I tried dripping some CRC into the cable at the speedo end, bit it must be sealed as it wouldn't go in.

Cool, I'll do that. I can see that it's not kinked, so lube it must be.

If you can see that it's not kinked, just remove the inner cable from whichever end it will slide out of, the put the proper grease on it.