Speedometer trouble

dv3468 · Post by **dv3468** » Mon Mar 12, 2007 8:28 am

Gentlemen: I took my M-38 out yesterday to drive in a local St. Patrick's Day parade. It was great to see the expressions on the veteran's faces as we drove by. It made the whole restoration worth it!!!

As I was driving to the parade, I noticed a grinding sound. At first I thought it was the transmission and my heart dropped! Then my son, who was sitting in the passenger seat said, the grinding sound was coming from the speedometer. I noticed that the speedometer needle was bouncing back and forth erratically and when I slowed down to under 25 mph the sound stopped! I did replaced the old cable with a new commerical #3A cable when I originally did the restoration. I wonder if the inside cable is slipping where it mates with the back of the speedometer or could if be inside the speedo itself? Any suggestions? Regards to all, Dennis.l

kiowamtp · Post by **kiowamtp** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 12:08 pm

I had the same problem. However it was on an early CJ5, but I assume it would be the same issue. Remove the line from the back of the speedo and put a few drops of oil. I used marvel mystery oil. Works just fine now. Someone else will chime in I 'm sure.

dv3468 · Post by **dv3468** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:45 pm

Thanks for the info. I disconnected the speedometer cable from the transmission then connected an elecrtric drill to the inside cable. It made the same noise. Thank God it's not the tranny. I'll let you know how I make out. Thanks for the advice. Regards, Dennis.

maeserik · Post by **maeserik** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:52 am

i put gear oil in the cable before connecting it with the spoeedometer and already conected with the transfercase

gearoil stays longer in the cable than engineoil, after that no bouncing needle anymore, you can also put some oil at the back of the speedometer

maeserik · Post by **maeserik** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:53 am

i put gear oil in the cable before connecting it with the spoeedometer and already conected with the transfercase

gearoil stays longer in the cable than engineoil, after that no bouncing needle anymore, you can also put some oil at the back of the speedometer

dv3468 · Post by **dv3468** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 8:42 am

Gentlemen: I did as you suggested and everything appears to be OK. No more bouncing speedometer needle! Thanks to all. Dennis

kiowamtp · Post by **kiowamtp** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:23 pm

Glad it worked out for ya