6 replies to this topic

[vasi]

My speedo doesnt work, which is great for my limited mileage policy, but I think they'll suspect foul play when I call in next year having done 0 miles.

I dont know whether its the cable, or speedo itself. I checked yesterday that the cable was connected both ends, it wasnt - so I made the connection good and it still doesnt function.

Which way do I turn the speedo over to test it?

[Guess-Works.com]

looking from the back of the Speedo, you would have to rotate the pinion counter-clockwise. You can test one simply with a matchstick, put this in the back ( red end out ) and twist between you fingers, you will see the needle blip, and if you turn enough the odometer with go up....
It's very unlikely to be the gearbox which is causing your problem, therefore if the speedo works, then I'd strongly suspect the cable..... which to change, in my humble opinion, is one of the filthies job on a mini possible.

[Dan]

Also, while the speedo is out, try to spin the end of the cable. If the core will twist (more than due to its springy-ness) without the wheels turning, it is broke. Also, release the handbrake (if it is safe obviously) and roll the car forward and back some. It the core doesn't turn, it is broke. However it could be the pinion in the gearbox that is broken rather than the cable, so if it fails the tests then pull the cable out and see if you can spin each end independently.
And sorry mate but I have to agree with Guessworks, they are a horror to replace.

[vasi]

Thanks for the info. I'll tryout this week.

I must admit, I took out and refitted the gearbox end yesterday just to make sure it was a good connection, and I had a black arm and hand afterwards

[bankxi]

u no what my dad was looking at my speedo the other day and mine is not working to lol well he could turn the cable with his fingurs lol so we need 2 find some ramps and look at the other end of the cable the gear box side what will it look like if it need replacing?

[dklawson]

The end of the cable that goes into the gearbox is hell to get to. You'll need "girlie arms" to reach it. I had to pull the inner u-joint (older Mini) apart to access mine.

Bankxi, if your speedo doesn't work, try the tests described above first. Disconnect the cable at the speedo end and try twisting the free end of the core by hand/fingers. If it spins, you've got to replace the cable. by the way, the speedo end of the cable core (at least on older cars) is square. If it rounds off it won't work.

I happen to have some old speedo cables in my shop. When I'm testing a gauge I'll hook one up to the speedo and chuck the other end in a reversible drill. If you spin the cable "backwards" you'll be able to drive the speedo and odometer. On very old cars like mine, the lube on this input portion of the speedo can dry up and bind the gauge. A little penetrating oil at the input and some gentle work with the reversible drill will often get things moving again.

[bankxi]

its not the speedo that works tryed the match stick thing i havnt looked at the gear box side yet but i plan to next week thanks for the help