Wacky Speedo!

[dakonthemountain]

No, not that kind!! EEwww!!

My speedometer went wacky today. I drove Burt to work and the speedo is all over the place and not consistently so. It sometimes shows 75mph when I KNOW I'm only going around 35-40mph. Then it will fall in line correctly for a while and then go off again. Is it possibly broken teeth on the gear wheel in the dash? or the sender loose on the tranny housing ? or??

Any ideas on what to look for ?

Thanks guys!
Dak

 

[smokeyb97]

No, not that kind!! EEwww!!

My speedometer went wacky today. I drove Burt to work and the speedo is all over the place and not consistently so. It sometimes shows 75mph when I KNOW I'm only going around 35-40mph. Then it will fall in line correctly for a while and then go off again. Is it possibly broken teeth on the gear wheel in the dash? or the sender loose on the tranny housing ? or??

Any ideas on what to look for ?

Thanks guys!
Dak

Mine did this once. Check for loose connection behind the gauge cluster.

 

[dakonthemountain]

Thanks, I plan on doing this.. REALLY hope that's all it is!
Dak

 

[fordrka1975]

I'd check the cable to see if it has melted on the exhaust. It also [the cable] may need greased. Randy.

 

[m78]

Cables binding because it needs oil. Take both ends loose , drip oil into the tube at the dash end and blow it through with compressed air ,
until you see it coming out at the drive gear. Hold the end with a rag so you don't blow air into your hand.

 

[dakonthemountain]

Thanks again guys..

Mark, how often should one need to do this? I did it when I replaced the dash cluster about 6-7 years ago..
Dak

 

[Austin]

Don't have much to add on wacky speedo's... But Chris has a few tacky speedo's.

 

[LEB Ben]

I've got the same issue in the Bronco Dak...had it since I bought the thing. I suppose I should fix it huh? HAHA. Anyway, when I pulled the gear at the end of the cable, it appears fine. So I'd attempt the oil next. I've also been told it's possible for the speedo cable to get rounded/wallowed out. And finally, I wanna say it was Buck (maybe not) that was having issues similar to this and it was his drive gear.

 

[m78]

Thanks again guys..

Mark, how often should one need to do this? I did it when I replaced the dash cluster about 6-7 years ago..
Dak

Thats a good question. I might depend on the quality and thickness of the oil.

 

[bucks77ford]

I did have a drive gear problem, but I'm betting that the speedo cable itself is dry. At least that's the most common problem. I'd start there and also make sure there is nothing wrong with the gear.

 

[73F100Shortbed]

Mine did this when I put the transmission in years back and then the cable snapped. I replaced the cable and it worked perfect for 5 minutes and the cable broke again. I've just given up on having a speedometer

 

[dakonthemountain]

Done! Pulled the cable and followed Mark's advice. The gear was fine and the cable was obviously dry... I used gear oil (forgot the brand..)

Thanks again guys!
Dak

 

[LEB Ben]

By gear oil, do you mean like, 80w90????