Speedo Gone A Bit Crazy - Please Help

Hi,

Just been out for a quick drive in the mini. Half way through the speedo has started to play up - fluctuating drastically between 30mph and 70mph (when doing about 45mph) and then when doing 30mph it fluctuates between about 20 and 40mph. you get the idea. Just bounces from one to the other.

 

Any ideas?

 

Thanks

Marc

 

 

Fair to middling chance your speedometer inner cable is on the way out. Pull it out and check for wear.

Check cable

Which end is likely to be the problem end - dashboard end? or other end?

Where does the other finish?

Which end is likely to be the problem end - dashboard end? or other end?

Where does the other finish?

The easy way is to check the dash end, and if it's not that one, it's the other… From memory it goes to the rear of the gearbox, just follow it down behind the engine. I'm sure much more knowledgeable people will be able to provide more details than that.

 

Hope that helps!

Ends low down on the side towards the back of your gearbox on the rad end - very easy to get to and remove with car jacked up although some seem to have problems with it - if at all suspect just replace it

Ends low down on the side towards the back of your gearbox on the rad end - very easy to get to and remove with car jacked up although some seem to have problems with it - if at all suspect just replace it

Once i locate both ends - what am I looking for? Just frayed/worn ends?

When they are worn and dry, they "wind up and release" causing a fluctuating indication.

As 'Wile E Coyote' says, above, "if at all suspect just replace it".

 

If the problem persists, after a new cable is fitted, then you're going to have to get your speedometer serviced, which is much more expensive than a cable change.

 

 

Once i locate both ends - what am I looking for? Just frayed/worn ends?

Both ends could be worn or the actual cable is starting to fray. It could also be too oily or too dry ..

Remove the inner cable.

Check both ends are "square" and not rounded off.

Clean it thoroughly and check along the length for any frayed ends then give it a "gentle" oiling and replace. Don't make it too wet or it will travel up the cable and into the speedo itself ..

Pull the cable off behind the speedo.. drive round thenblock make sure it spins... usually put somemduckmtape onnthe cable head to see if gearbox unit is alright....

Just to be clear, the inner rotating cable can be pulled out of the outer sleeve entirely from the speedo end. There is nothing holding the far end in the sleeve.

The whole issue may be the speedo end has a loose connection to the speedo coupling and just needs firmly re-inserting to solve.

Comes out one end only can not remeber off the top of me head..

Sometimes the outter cable stretches and needs repalced giving you the issues you may have...