83 944 N/A speedometer trouble

[thomas944]

I replaced the speedometer cable and while test driving it the needle was constantly bouncing. There was a small ticking sound at higher speeds. Is it because the end of the cable attched to the gauge isnt in all the way or in properly? The cable didnt come with instructions so was I to grease the end going into the front wheel? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[John_AZ]

A couple of ideas.

If you installed a new cable it should be pre lubed but if it was very old stock or used it could use liquid graphite inside the drive shaft.

You might have screwed the cable end on to the speedometer too tightly and the inner cable drive is binding.

It cold also be the cable may not have been the problem. The odometer gears may be cracked.

Be careful not to cross thread the cable on to the speedometer. The speedometer threads are soft.

Make sure you did not twist/bind the cable when you installed it or when you attached it to the speedometer.

Your speedometer drive shaft is similiar to my 924S on the early cars.

I doubt if greasing the end going into the front hub made any difference.

GL
John

[thomas944]

I don't think I cross threaded the cable because it went on way to easy. The only thing I could see is that the cable is twisted or in a bind or the screw may be too tight. Any idea on how to untwist the cable? Could It be because to cable underneath the dash was not threaded through everything properly? I had to change a dash light so I'm going to get back into it after I get the bulb. Thanks for the quick response and I'll make sure to update.

[FrenchToast]

I think a bounce in other gauges can sometimes turn out to be a bad voltage regulator - I don't know if this applies to the speedometer.

This doesn't directly help the problem - but if you have an '83 your speedo sensor is in the driver's spindle (hollow). These hollow left front early spindles are known to fail because of such.You can upgrade to solid ones from an '85.5-'86 car and maintain offset. That's just me.

[thomas944]

Im not sure what a spindle is or what you are trying to describe but I didnt go through anything hollow except going through the wheel. The cable was broken at the front hub. In between the cable coating and the metal piece that attaches to the hub. Just a little more info if it helps.

[FrenchToast]

The spindle I'm talking of is what the front hub rides on, on which the brake rotor and wheel is bolted to. It is hollow because they decided to put the speedo sensor there (passenger side is solid). I recommend upgrading them with solid units from a '85.5+ car as the early (pre '85.5) hollow ones are known to fail. So especially if you track or want to track the car I would change them out. Someone I know had his left front spindle break on the track, This is why I recommend upgrading them.

As for the speedometer issue, the best suggestion besides what John_AZ says is checking the voltage regulator.

Be safe, have a good evening

Cheers

[thomas944]

Why would I check the voltage regulator if the whole speedometer setup is or looks to me to be mechanical? My dad and I have never seen a setup that attaches to the wheel. And buying a new spindle on a 17 y.o. budget is a little to pricey. I'm going to try and take John's advice and solve this little problem. I'm pretty sure it's just because the cable is getting in a bind and just needs to be rerouted.