Author Topic: speedo question  (Read 1337 times)

Offline jkbird59

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speedo question
« on: December 15, 2011 - 01:45:23 PM »
hey guys  the odometer was working but not the speedometer in my 74 challenger .so i pulled the cable to lube and hoped for a festivus miracle. now  nothing works .lol.so i ordered  a new cable but, if its the speedo can that be removed by itself ?




Offline Jamiez

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Re: speedo question
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2011 - 02:00:19 PM »
You might be able to remove it with the Dash in the car...it'll be difficult.  It's a piece of cake if you remove the dash :)

Offline jkbird59

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Re: speedo question
« Reply #2 on: December 15, 2011 - 02:24:42 PM »
yeah trying to avoid that  :violin:

Offline Jamiez

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Re: speedo question
« Reply #3 on: December 15, 2011 - 02:25:48 PM »
It could also be the gear in the transmission (i.e. the other end of the cable).  Couldn't hurt to check that.

Offline 73Chally

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Re: speedo question
« Reply #4 on: December 15, 2011 - 02:52:23 PM »
I could be wrong, but to me, if the odometer was working, then that tells me the cable was okay, and the problem is with the speedo mechanism.  I have taken my tach out (ralley gauge) with the dash in, but I'm not sure about the speedo.  I agree with not wanting to remove the dash, but it would definitely make it easier.

Offline Jamiez

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Re: speedo question
« Reply #5 on: December 15, 2011 - 02:59:07 PM »
Depends on how "working" the odometer was.  The speedo you can see moving all the time but if your odometer wasn't working 25% of the time, you might not even notice.

Just in case:
http://v8tvshow.com/content/view/717/1/

You might not have to do a full removal of the dash as you can get better access by pulling the switch panel and dropping the gauge cluster down.

Offline jkbird59

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Re: speedo question
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2011 - 03:51:53 PM »
the odometer was pretty accurate. i drive 6 miles to work and the odo was on the money.

Offline 73Chally

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Re: speedo question
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2011 - 05:38:03 PM »
When I said dash I meant the gauge cluster, but pulling the switch panel would definitely help.  If it's a standard cluster it will probably be easier.

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: speedo question
« Reply #8 on: December 15, 2011 - 05:46:54 PM »
Your cable is fine then. If the odometer is working correctly, then something has gone wrong with the speedo.

I'm not sure what gauges you have, but you can put your hand under the dash to disconnect the cable from the speedo. It's a clip that you have to squeeze before taking off. From there take off the dash light panel, then you have to remove the switch panel, then the gauge bezel. This is not the easiest thing in the world to do, so use a large flat blade screw driver to maneuver the switch panel out of there. Once the gauge bezel is off, you can pull the gauges out, but you will soon find the wiring is pretty tight. You have to put your hand behind there and remove the wiring and turn signal indicators. Just remember where each wire/light bulb goes.   :o  From there, you can remove the speedo from the cluster and send it out for repair.

Some find it easier to drop the steering column first. There is a bracket under the dash with a nut on each side that requires a deep socket to remove.

DISCONNECT the battery before attempt any this!  Don't ask how I know.    :bricks1:

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.

Offline jkbird59

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Re: speedo question
« Reply #9 on: December 15, 2011 - 05:53:13 PM »
ouch. they are rally gauges

Offline MEK-Dangerfield

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Re: speedo question
« Reply #10 on: December 15, 2011 - 06:00:45 PM »
It took some time when I did it the first time. I can have the gauges in and out in under an hour now.

Do you have a shop manual to help you with which wire goes to which gauge?

The first time I took them out, I swapped the gas and temp wires. I had a full tank of gas, so upon start up, my temp gauge was reading the max, while my gas gauge said empty.   :22yikes:

I'm hear for you if you need help.   :2thumbs:

Mike

1970 Challenger - SOLD
2016 SXT+.  1 of 524 SXT+'s in Plumb-crazy for 2016.

Offline jkbird59

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Re: speedo question
« Reply #11 on: December 15, 2011 - 06:09:51 PM »
thanks. gonna  need a manual