'77 Speedometer doesnt work

[Pvt_Murphy]

Well my freind kindly pointed out the other day that my speedometer doest work, I dont know how long it's been out because I drive by feel and a loud as sh!t radar detector. Probably been out for <100 miles (last oil change) Anyone know what and where the problem could be or where the speedometer cable runs in the car? thanks, Gene.

[FormulaLT1]

I think your model has a cable driven unit that comes into the dash from the driver side engine compartment.. If not then hopefully someone else can point it out. but I am pretty sure thats were it runs into the dash. Good Luck.

John

[hotrod_chevyz]

I bet it needs a new cable.they are only like 10-20 dollars.It runs out of the transmission,along the frame through some clips that hold it to the frame.Finally it pops its head under the hood somwhere close to the brake booster,and runs through the firewall into the dash.If you disconnect the line from the tranny first and take it loose from the holders,you can get enough play in the cable to get your gauge cluster out,without damaging it.With the it unhooked from the tranny, spin the inner cable with your fingers,and have sombody looking at the speedo and see if it does anything.even a little jump of the needle or any movement will show the gauge still does somthing.If you get no movement at the gauge while you the cable at the other end,either the cable or the speedo itself is bad.

[Pvt_Murphy]

Thanks I'll take a look at it tommorow, it could either be the cable got worn and rusted though with the salt around here; or I might have unplugged it while I was Hardwiring a Power Inverter; because I was running 10ga cable through the same opening as it. I'll take a look at the tranny end because I didnt know where that end was before. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by Pvt_Murphy

Thanks I'll take a look at it tommorow, it could either be the cable got worn and rusted though with the salt around here; or I might have unplugged it while I was Hardwiring a Power Inverter; because I was running 10ga cable through the same opening as it. I'll take a look at the tranny end because I didnt know where that end was before. Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Chances are you just pulled out the cable off the back from the speedo. Those cables are just slipped in place from the back of the cluster and held by a spring.If you depress the spring that holds the speedo cable in place it might have just popped out, and that is easily done by accident when you fumble around with your hands behind the cluster. Sometimes they pull out even without pressing on the spring, just by pulling the cable itself. the other area of concern is the mechanical wheel in the transmission itself. Those gears are made of plastic and can wear out if you have tranny problems. The hook up is on the driver side, back of the tranny close to the driveshaft. Very rarely will you need a new speedocable.