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Bouncing speedometer needle

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by DanStew, Apr 13, 2013.

  1. Apr 13, 2013
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
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    4,585
    What would be the cause for my speedometer needle to bounce all over the place at higher speeds? It is a new cable. The speedo will work nice and steady but when i get to about 40+ it will not be steady at all and will go full sweep back and forth. Sometimes all the way sometimes on a few digits. I asked before about damage to a speedometer at higher speeds. This is a military speedometer.
     
    DanStew, Apr 13, 2013
    #1
  2. Apr 13, 2013
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    9,825
    Cable inner core too dry/not lubed enough. Or damaged.

    Or, inner core cut slightly too long for the outer casing. (Try backing off the connector nut, see what happens.)

    Either can cause it to bind and jump.
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2013
    PeteL, Apr 13, 2013
    #2
  3. Apr 13, 2013
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Sep 23, 2002
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    12,529
    To add to this a speedo that is dirty or needs lubed can do this as well.


    Sent from my iPhone
     
    nickmil, Apr 13, 2013
    #3
  4. Apr 15, 2013
    wrhirzel

    wrhirzel Member

    El Paso, TX
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    Aug 31, 2009
    Messages:
    122
    If you had to trim the cable, make sure that the end of the cable is smooth and not frayed. That will cause it to bounce. I used a dremel tool to smooth out the end of the cable after I cut it, and it stopped the bouncing.
     
    wrhirzel, Apr 15, 2013
    #4
  5. Apr 15, 2013
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    4,585
    Thanks guys. it was made at a speedometer company they seem to do a good job, i drove more and it worked, just went a little crazy after about 4mph. I will probably take the speedo out and clean the innards, it seems to spin fine but i guess could be cruddy inside. Will post back.
     
    DanStew, Apr 15, 2013
    #5
  6. Apr 16, 2013
    58_WILLYS

    58_WILLYS New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2012
    Messages:
    13
    Make sure you didn't put the cable in backwards. Not sure if that is possible on a CJ5 but it is possible on other vehicles. A bouncing needle is one of the signs of a cable installed in reverse.
     
    58_WILLYS, Apr 16, 2013
    #6
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