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Unsteady speedometer needle
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Red Ryder
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 3:53 pm    Post subject: Unsteady speedometer needle Reply with quote

Any idea how to get the needle steady?
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djkeev
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 4:43 pm    Post subject: Re: Unsteady speedometer needle Reply with quote

Might be......

A frayed cable or cable casing
Bad EGR light box
Speedometer needs service/repairs
Hub cap hole rounded
Hub cap loose on disc

Dave
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 5:06 pm    Post subject: Re: Unsteady speedometer needle Reply with quote

Do a search here. Long threads that lay out different scenarios.

Blasphemy for some, but I lean towards replacing parts vs troubleshooting. partially because I am working on my van laying in the street in NYC and partially because I value my time, so I did a search and picked the most likely fix. Usually works, sometimes a 3-5 day delay waiting on another part. Dig through the threads, there are real informed posts.

A new cable that bypasses the o2 sensor with careful routing worked for me. Most parts are cheap if your time has value or you can’t get to work.


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PostPosted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 6:58 pm    Post subject: Re: Unsteady speedometer needle Reply with quote

You can try this. Remove the instrument cluster cover and plastic shield so you can access the speedo cable behind the instrument. Go for a drive on a safe empty road at a speed that causes the needle to bounce. Carefully reach behind the speedo and gently move the cable to alter the arc and orientation to see if there is a happy place where the needle does not bounce. BTDT. The cable can slightly bind internally and the happy spot allows it to turn smoothly.
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calo1956
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 7:26 pm    Post subject: Re: Unsteady speedometer needle Reply with quote

I have the same issue under 30 mph, The person who rebuilt my speed told me that that comes from a bend in the speed cable, not the speed itself.
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 8:18 pm    Post subject: Re: Unsteady speedometer needle Reply with quote

Mine was the grease/dust cap rounding off and allowing the cable end to slip. Cheap part, PITA to replace. Mine still doesn’t work completely right, sorta does but for the wrong reason. I’ll get to it later. I still have my tach . .
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dobryan
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 11, 2021 8:36 pm    Post subject: Re: Unsteady speedometer needle Reply with quote

calo1956 wrote:
I have the same issue under 30 mph, The person who rebuilt my speed told me that that comes from a bend in the speed cable, not the speed itself.


My comment applies in this case too. Try it.
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wbailey2112
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 5:34 am    Post subject: Re: Unsteady speedometer needle Reply with quote

By unsteady do you mean that the needle is "bouncing" at low speeds? If this is the case you probably just need to run some oil down the inside of the speedometer cable. Disconnect the cable at both ends and squirt a liberal amount of oil inside both ends, reassemble and see if that cures the issue.

I've done this with both my Westy and my Thing when I experienced this "bouncing" and oiling the cable inside of the speedometer cable sheath fixed the issue in both cases.
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dabaron
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 7:18 am    Post subject: Re: Unsteady speedometer needle Reply with quote

i replaced my speedo cable and had it in the sweet spot of smooth needle action. then i removed the cluster to fix an issue and now i can either get it to play nice below or above 45 mph. at 45 mph is bounces like mad.

it's a fun game to move the cable to find the sweet spot, wait, not it's not.
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 7:54 am    Post subject: Re: Unsteady speedometer needle Reply with quote

wbailey2112 wrote:
By unsteady do you mean that the needle is "bouncing" at low speeds? If this is the case you probably just need to run some oil down the inside of the speedometer cable. Disconnect the cable at both ends and squirt a liberal amount of oil inside both ends, reassemble and see if that cures the issue.

I've done this with both my Westy and my Thing when I experienced this "bouncing" and oiling the cable inside of the speedometer cable sheath fixed the issue in both cases.



+1. The low speed bounce went away for me with a generous application of triflow to both ends of the cable.
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Red Ryder
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PostPosted: Thu Aug 12, 2021 9:12 am    Post subject: Re: Unsteady speedometer needle Reply with quote

mikemtnbike wrote:
wbailey2112 wrote:
By unsteady do you mean that the needle is "bouncing" at low speeds? If this is the case you probably just need to run some oil down the inside of the speedometer cable. Disconnect the cable at both ends and squirt a liberal amount of oil inside both ends, reassemble and see if that cures the issue.

I've done this with both my Westy and my Thing when I experienced this "bouncing" and oiling the cable inside of the speedometer cable sheath fixed the issue in both cases.



+1. The low speed bounce went away for me with a generous application of triflow to both ends of the cable.

Heading to the garage now!😉👍
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Red Ryder
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PostPosted: Fri Aug 13, 2021 11:20 am    Post subject: Re: Unsteady speedometer needle Reply with quote

mikemtnbike wrote:
wbailey2112 wrote:
By unsteady do you mean that the needle is "bouncing" at low speeds? If this is the case you probably just need to run some oil down the inside of the speedometer cable. Disconnect the cable at both ends and squirt a liberal amount of oil inside both ends, reassemble and see if that cures the issue.

I've done this with both my Westy and my Thing when I experienced this "bouncing" and oiling the cable inside of the speedometer cable sheath fixed the issue in both cases.



+1. The low speed bounce went away for me with a generous application of triflow to both ends of the cable.

Tried the Triflo — no joy. Sad
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