1997 GL Seedometer

[rhb3]

Hi all. Well at 155k it's time to change the speedometer. I found a replacement at dashusa.com for ~$165 with the problem as described here:

http://www.dashusa.com/ford_cars.htm

Now I have some questions to ensure my diagnosis is correct:

1) The odometer works fine...so I assume I don't have a cable problem.

2) The cruise works too...this one I didn't expect. But the speedo is only jumping not entirely stopping. Does the cruise use the VSS?

3) On the 1997, is this a sealed unit? The guy at dashusa and my local dealer indicated that the speedometer is a separate piece which seems to make more sense.

4) Anything special about the bulbs in there? About 1/2 of them are out so I need to replace them while I'm in there.

Other questions:
1) How do you lubricate the cable properly?

2) Anything else I should know regarding this project?

Thanks!

[dougand3]

Before I gave them $165, I'd try lubing. I recently did my '95 Isuzu P'up...it was bouncing wildly from 40 MPH+ and screeching loudly but the odometer worked smoothly. The Windstar may be similar...I unhooked the cable from the back of the dash cluster and from the tranny. Pulled the inner cable from the plastic housing (from the tranny side). It slid out REAL easy. Loaded up (probably 1/2 cup) the plastic housing with grey multipurpose grease using a grease gun/needle. It was HARD to get the inner cable back in....so much grease.

Then, I turned the cluster backside up and lubed inner cable connector/spinner real good with spray silicone - Walmart $1.87.

Speedo wand is rock steady and quiet now.

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by rhb3

Hi all. Well at 155k it's time to change the speedometer. I found a replacement at dashusa.com for ~$165 with the problem as described here:

http://www.dashusa.com/ford_cars.htm

Now I have some questions to ensure my diagnosis is correct:

1) The odometer works fine...so I assume I don't have a cable problem.

2) The cruise works too...this one I didn't expect. But the speedo is only jumping not entirely stopping. Does the cruise use the VSS?

3) On the 1997, is this a sealed unit? The guy at dashusa and my local dealer indicated that the speedometer is a separate piece which seems to make more sense.

4) Anything special about the bulbs in there? About 1/2 of them are out so I need to replace them while I'm in there.

Other questions:
1) How do you lubricate the cable properly?

2) Anything else I should know regarding this project?

Thanks!

The orginal bulbs are halogen bulbs and are spendy. You can goto Walmart and get regular bulbs at much less cost. They'll be a bit dimmer but I haven't had any problems with them.

Regards
Dan

[wiswind]

Halogen bulbs inside the dash?....
I have been very lucky with this car and not had to replace any dash lights.... But I did not know that they were halogen.
The headlights....I have replaced....and I upgraded them to the Sylvania "Xtravision" which cost me about $18 for the pair.

[Mean_Viper]

Originally Posted by wiswind

Halogen bulbs inside the dash?....
I have been very lucky with this car and not had to replace any dash lights.... But I did not know that they were halogen.
The headlights....I have replaced....and I upgraded them to the Sylvania "Xtravision" which cost me about $18 for the pair.

Whatever you do, I would not recommend DASHUSA for any speedometer or any repair of any kind. DashUSA Auto Electronics & Speedometer http://dashusa.com/ . They have had my instrument cluster for over a month and three weeks ago they were paid and was told by Steve's rep that the cluster would be shipped that day. Its now three weeks later and I have called them various times and left messages. The last two times (about two weeks ago) was the last time I talked to STEVE himself and he told me both times that he would call me back, and to this day has not. I am unable to use my car for over a month now. I left them a message to either send the repaired item back or refund the money and send back the cluster and I can take it elsewhere for repairs, but no luck. They have caller ID, so they are avoiding my calls. This is a sad way of doing business. I found out that I was not the only one complaining about DASHUSA, they have had complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau so I decided to file one myself. BUYER BEWARE OF DASHUSA I just found out through a different forum that they have a toll free number #888-909-9473 but still no answer. I would hate for you to send in your instrument cluster and go through this. If anyone can get a hold of this place let me know. Don' take a chance like I did, check the BBB site before you do business no matter what. I will be contacting Jim Walker and hear nothing but GREAT things about him especially online...I bought this car for my wife and now its sitting in the driveway...