How does a speedometer cable work?
The cable is a bit like a mini driveshaft: if one end of the cable rotates, so does the other—even though the cable is long and bendy. At the top end, the cable feeds into the back of the speedometer. When it rotates, it turns a magnet inside the speedometer case at the same speed.
What happens if the speedometer cable and casing is not assembled correctly?
If the Cable and Casing is not correctly assembled it can damage the Speedometer and/or gears in the Transmission. Our replacement Speedometer Cable and Housings for OEM or Custom Application are made out of Coiled steel with a black vinyl covering.
How do I clean the speedometer cable?
We recommend that you use a piece of cardboard because of how you can simply throw it out after it gets dirty. From there, use alcohol and a paper towel or cloth to clean the speedometer cable from end to end.
What to say to someone who built their own speedometer cable?
" Just wanted to let you know how happy I am with the cable you built for me. Fits and works perfect. Saved me a bunch of work not having to disassemble a 33 year old dash and cluster. " SPEEDOMETER CABLES are not all the same.
Where is my speedometer cable?
0:001:17Where Is the Speedometer Cable on a Car Located? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhere it's threaded in to the side of the transmission. Usually near the tail housing.MoreWhere it's threaded in to the side of the transmission. Usually near the tail housing.
What is the use of speedometer cable?
In a mechanical speedometer setup, the cable is in use every time your car is in motion. If the wheels are turning, the speedometer cable is working, transmitting motion from the transmission mount to the needle so you know how fast you're traveling.
What happens when speedometer cable goes out?
When a speedometer cable and housing are failing, they may make squealing noises. The noise is also associated with the speedometer needle jumping around erratically as we explained above. The noises typically come from the dashboard of your vehicle, specifically where the speedometer is located.
What does a speedometer cable look like?
0:091:44Where Does the Speedometer Cable Connect? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr analog which will show the speed of the car. Most cars today use that type of system that wouldMoreOr analog which will show the speed of the car. Most cars today use that type of system that would have a electric sensor on the transmission.
What controls the speedometer in a car?
When the shaft rotates, the teeth on the disk interrupt the magnetic field of the coil, which triggers the detector and sends a pulse to the vehicle's computer. The computer then uses these pulses to compute the speed of the vehicle, the distance the vehicle has traveled and how fast the engine is rotating.
How do you replace a speedometer cable?
Step 1: Jack up the vehicle and set jack stands. ... Step 2: Place wheel chocks on both sides of wheels still on the ground. ... Step 3: Remove speedometer cable at transmission. ... Step 4: Remove the speedometer cable at the speedometer. ... Step 5: Remove the firewall grommet. ... Step 8: Transfer any necessary hardware.More items...•
How much does it cost to replace a speedometer cable?
A broken speedometer cable will cost you around $20-100 to do it yourself, but could cost closer to $300 if you take the vehicle to a shop. What is this? A speed sensor costs around $20-50 to replace if you do it yourself, but could cost closer to $200-300 if you take it to your mechanic.
Can I still drive my car if speedometer doesn't work?
Can You Still Drive Your Car If the Speedometer Doesn't Work? Technically speaking, it is possible to drive a vehicle with an inoperable speedometer. However, doing so is not recommended. Without an alternative solution at the ready, you will be unable to recognize the speed at which your vehicle is traveling.
How much does it cost to replace a speedometer?
Because the cost of repairing a broken speedometer averages around $200, you'll likely want to replace it with a new one. This can run you about $250, but you'll have an entirely new unit. The most common cause of a malfunctioning speedometer is a problem with the speed sensor.
How do I know if my speedometer cable is broken?
Common signs include the speedometer needle wavering or not moving, squealing noises behind the dashboard, and the Check Engine Light coming on.
How do I remove the speedometer cable from my dashboard?
0:000:46How remove your foxbody Speedo cable from the cluster - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut it's really simple you'll see the the knotch part on the top you just push on the bottom. AndMoreBut it's really simple you'll see the the knotch part on the top you just push on the bottom. And then it comes out there's a little hole there that this little groove goes into.
Are all speedometer cables the same?
SPEEDOMETER CABLES are not all the same. Typical Speedometer Cable and Housings bought at an Auto Parts Store or by Mail Order are usually made from a plastic tube with maybe a little bit of wire mesh as a one size fit all. Or you might have to assemble it yourself and hope you do it right.
Do cars still have speedometer cables?
The speedometer cable is connected to the back of the speedometer and runs through the gearbox of today's modern cars, trucks and SUV's.
Do new cars have speedometer cables?
If you have a newer car, your speedometer is electronic, even if the readout is analog. In an older car, it's mechanical, which means you have a speedometer cable that attaches to the back of the housing and runs down to the transmission and driveshaft.
What is speedometer cable made of?
Typical Speedometer Cable and Housings bought at an Auto Parts Store or by Mail Order are usually made from a plastic tube with maybe a little bit of wire mesh as a one size fit all.
What is bike brake cable made of?
Bicycle cables are made of steel strands wound together and bound with an anchor on one end. The anchor will be specific for different styles of brake or shifter manufacturers. Most good-quality cables are made from stainless steel, some coated with an anti-friction material.
What is a speedometer cable called?
Mechanical speedometers connect to the transmission of the car, not the wheels. They do so by a drive cable, which is a collection of small springs wound very tightly around a central wire (also known as a mandrel).
How much does a speedometer cable cost?
How Much Do Speedometer Cables Cost? The price tag of a speedometer cable replacement can range anywhere between $20 and $70.
What do you lubricate a speedometer cable with?
Both Hemmings and The Garage Journal recommend lubricating speedo cables with a spray can of white lithium grease, and I concur. It’s heavy enough that it stays in place and doesn’t run out the bottom end of the cable. Some posters report success with silicone or graphite, but graphite seems a little light to me.
What are clutch cables made of?
All cables have similar vinyl (PVC) material with slight variations in hardness. The outer layer of the cable housing is sometimes coated or wrapped in a steel braid on street cruisers, but this is only cosmetic.
What are Morse cables?
Morse Cables are one of the products Hindle Controls often get asked to supply. As a distributor for Kongsberg Automotive we are ideally placed to supply Morse Cables. Kongsberg Automotive bought out the industrial side of Teleflex Morse, a company formed by the amalgamation of Morse Controls and Teleflex.
What happens when a speedometer cable rotates?
As the speedometer cable rotates, it turns the magnet at the same speed. The spinning magnet creates a fluctuating magnetic field inside the speed cup and, by the laws of electromagnetism, that means electric currents flow inside the cup as well. In effect, the speed cup turns into a kind of electricity generator.
How does a speedometer work?
How speedometers work—a closer look. When the engine turns over, the driveshaft turns to make the wheels spin round. The speedometer cable, powered by the driveshaft, turns as well. The cable spins a magnet around at the same speed inside the speed cup. The magnet rotates continually in the same direction (in this case, counter-clockwise).
What is the color of the speedometer?
Artwork: Until about the 1960s, virtually all speedometers used a combination of mechanical power and electromagnetism. A small wheel (red), driven by a disc (orange) attached to one of the car's front wheels (gray), spun a cable (green) that snaked up to the speedometer (blue).
What app calculates speed?
Photo: There are quite a few speedometer apps for smartphones, which calculate your speed using GPS (satellite positioning) (or other phone-location) signals (how far you've traveled) and the time. This one's Speedometer Complete for the iPhone, by Daniel J. Pérez. Android apps include GPS Speedometer and Odometer and SpeedView.
What are the drawbacks of a speedometer?
But there are drawbacks. First, there are lots of mechanical parts to wear out (which makes them inaccurate) or fail suddenly.
Why does the speed cup rotate?
The eddy currents make the speed cup rotate counter-clockwise as well in an attempt to catch up with the magnet. Remember that the magnet and the speed cup are not joined together in any way—there's air in between them. The hair spring tightens, restraining the speed cup so it can turn only a little way.
What type of light does a speed gun use?
Some speed guns use LIDAR (reflected laser light) instead of radar (which uses reflected radio waves). Photo by Lek Mateo courtesy of US Air Force. What we really need is a way of figuring out how fast the car's wheels are turning. If we know how big the wheels are, we can then figure out the speed fairly easily.
So, how do you lubricate a speedometer cable?
Identify and remove the speedometer cable from the vehicle and lay it on a clean surface like cardboard. Apply a liberal amount of lubrication on the speedometer cable and make sure you do so from one end to another. Align the speedometer cable properly while reforming it before reinstalling it.
Do you need to lubricate the speedometer cable?
When it comes to the speedometer, we all know that we need it to be functioning the right way because we have to be aware of how fast we are going at all times.
How do you lubricate a speedometer cable?
Now that you know the importance of lubricating your speedometer, here are the things you need to know for you to understand how to lubricate your speedometer cable:
What is the best lubricant for a speedometer cable?
When you are lubricating your speedometer cable, the best lubricant to use is a graphite lubricant because of how effective it is when applied to metal and automotive parts, Graphite lubricant is often used for locks in your car but it should also work for your speedometer cable as well.
