My speedomeeter makes a god awefull noise from behind the bezel during really cold weather when you hit about 35 mph, and the needle will start bouncing like crazy. It goes away after 5-10 min. I took it all apart and didn't see anything obvious. I know its the speedo itself or the cable, I just don't want to spend money on both. Any ideas?????

 

Oh yeah, just about all 2nd gens and trucks of the same vintage do this in colder weather.

The cable needs to be lubed with graphite powder I think.

I have not done it yet, and mine does this on a very cold morning.
It about drives me insane it's so loud.

But when I come to a stop, it goes away when I drive again.

Last time it did this was about 3 weeks ago.

 

i had the same problem,it was the speedo cable(i have a 89 toy 2WD V-6 5 speed) after replacing the cable it was all set.man was it a pain in the butt! :pat: good luck. scot

 

I've heard the graphite thing before but after taking the dash apart this weekend it doesn't look like you can get graphite down it, it has a funny white cap and the opening is too small and covered in grease. hard to get it down. Probably will just get a new cable. I guess thats better than replacing the speedo... kind of.

Thanks

 

Man, I thought it was only my truck!!!! Mine started about 2 months ago and has been driving me crazy, I'm guessing it was due to the cold weather. Same exact thing, after 35mph it starts making that damn noise!! I spent a Saturday tearing apart the dash and couldn't ever figure it out. Will replacing the cable fix the problem, I'd love to know!! Thanks.

 

Yes, replacing the cable will fix the problem, but it doesn't sound like it's a very fun project!! :confused:

 

Will it stop when the weather warms up again? Or once it starts that's it, you have to replace it?

 

How about just dripping some light oil down it? Why graphite?
I have the same thing, very intermittent, but am about to pull my cluster again to put my advanced miles odo in and would just assume take care of this at that time...

 

Mine started 2 months ago - i first heard it after I switched to AMSOIL and the ticking in my engine went away - seem like everytime I do something to make things quiter something else is there but I just coouldn't hear it. Mine stops after 5 minutes and when I come to a stop. Looks like a new cable....:mad:

 

I guess that I'm kind of glad to hear that its not only me.

Warm weather does make it stop. It drove me crazy all last winter then it magically went away in the spring. So of course I didn't take the time to fix it then. Gee if I wait long enough I can put it off for a whole other year and you guys can hear me bitch about it next November!!!

 

NOT OIL!!! Dont put oil down the cable. It needs a "dry lubricant." As Corey said, all it needs is some graphite powder, or a product called "cable-ease" I got mine about a billion yrs ago at nappa. Sorry, dont remember what it cost.
You can buy a new cable.... yes, yes you can. I wouldnt, as there is nothing wrong w/ your speedo cable an .08 cent blast of graphite wont fix.
Yoda-g2 mentioned a white plastic collar. Dont quote me on this, as I have yet to do this on my 4Runner... but many moons ago I did do this on my 74 landcruiser, ANYWHOO I think what you are talking about is just a collar to keep the shaft centered in the end of the flexable cable. There was something similar on my cruiser cable (if memory serves) I THINK you can remove that collar. Be careful at 1st. As I said Im not 100% certain about that. It can be done, its not that hard, save the cash for something else!!
Hope this helps guys..
Oh yeah.. if the collar CANT be removed, drill a very small hole in the collar w/ a hot syringe needle. Put some graphite in a syringe, put a large bore needle on the syringe.... BLAM!! Graphite injection. Get the suplies at any "feed mill".

 

I have the same problem. I knew it was the darn sppedo cable. Wish I would have fixed it while installing my reverse indiglos.

Anyway, just wanted to thank all for the info!

 

I've done this about a million times on my older cars! The graphite is the best, it can be purchased as a powder or in a spray with a straw at the hardware store or auto parts shop. It can be a pain, but it beats running a new cable. I've used teflon spray which will last until it gets cold again. I've let the problem go before and was rewarded with a broken cable! If its not big when its really cold then it can go for awhile yet, but when it's 40* and she's wailing like a banshee its past time!

_travis

 

Hey Travis,

So, have you done this on a 4Runner yet? I think that would be a good write-up for the Tech section if someone with experience would be willing to do one. Any takers?

CTB

 

Just took delivery of our new digi cam.... I'll see what I can do. (time permitting) I'm intending to turn my dash lights red anyway. maybe I'll give the speedo cable a blast of cable-ease while I'm there.

 

Well I dont owne a runner, but Im planning a trip to the bone yard in the next fiew days, Ill take my camera and see what I can do!

_travis

 

Right on, sounds good to me. I look forward to hearing what you figure out. Thanks Travis-

 

Ahh, my 89 Pickup does this as well, it also gets very inaccurate - it will say that I'm doing 70 when I know I'm not going any faster than 45!