Jumping Speedometer from Calaverous County

My "New" speedometer/Tachometer combo has taken to jumping like the Frog from
Calaverous County in Mark Twain's book...

It jumps up maybe 4 mph, then back down in the range from 40 mph up...

Would that most likely be due to the Speedometer itself or the cable going to it?

If I take the cable out at the Transmission end, can the inner flexible doodad be
pulled out and Lubricated.

Some say Grease - some say Graphite....

I'd rather not have to disconnect it from behind the dashboard as I am getting
too old for those unnatural bending and one hand movements required.

DoctorBill

I would have to imagine that it is possible that a faulty spedometer could cause this condition.

In my experience however, it has always been the case that the cable itself is the cause of the problem.

Try some WD-40, or whatever lubricant suits your state of mind. I suspect this may temporarily relieve the jumping around. But I think what causes this, is the cable eating into the surrounding housing, and in the long run the cable/housing assembly will have to be replaced for a more permanent solution. A local speedometer shop will be able to handle the task very easily, using your old one as a template.

I think trying to lube the thing at the trans end is a good idea - with whatever lubricant you decide on. Be sure to post back with the results.

Goodluck Doctor!

-MechanicMatt

if you take the cable out of the tranny you should be able to pull it out and check it for fraid spots if it has any, if not clean it and use a graphite speedometer lube. most parts stores will sell it. if you won't pull out of the sheath you can hold the end up and spin it with a drill and work some of the lube down into it

After I did my clutch, I had trouble getting the cable back into the trans. When I had it in part of the way, it did that mexican jumping frog thing, or it didn't work at all. I have to agree that pulling out as much as possible at the trans end and inspecting and lubing it sounds like a good idea. It may even help my own situation. Having a good light source was crucial to fitting it back into the trans correctly.

Jai