Speedo cable problems...

Raysupra · 10-31-2009, 03:23 AM

I just recently replaced the speedometer cable and just drove the car in the parking lot to make sure it was spinning. My delima is that its still not activateing the guage.. is it to short or something or bent? its the same size as the old one but I dont know if it is long enough or something?... Is it possible to adjust it?

cre · 10-31-2009, 03:50 AM

Did you replace both parts of the cable? There are two...

If you know the cable is good then there only remain a couple other possibilities: broken driven gear, broken speedo, or the cable and the input on the speedo aren't mating up.

Raysupra · 10-31-2009, 03:47 PM

I didnt replace both parts, just the main long one since i broke the nipple off to the cable.I think the cable isn't long enough to mate up with the speedo...? by maybe a 1/8th of a inch or something... I thought I cut it plenty long enough... same length as the old one. hm how could I test the speedo guage?

cre · 10-31-2009, 05:38 PM

You cut it? Huh? Every speedo cable I've seen from Toyota was the right size to begin with. Why did you have to cut it and where did you get it? An 1/8" of an inch really should be enough to prevent it from mating with the speedo unless the sheath has been cut down too much and the cable is falling out of the green collar/endpiece.

Raysupra · 10-31-2009, 06:04 PM

I bought a universal one from autozone.. same cable just needs to be cut to size... Square end with a metal tip and crimping piece.. its the same thing just cut the cable to the right size. Im not 100% sure its to short but the pin only sits about halfway down in the female connector and I put the male end in their and set the cluster all the way down and nothing... should I go buy another cable for like 10$ and try to cut it longer or test the guage and see if its bad?

Raysupra · 10-31-2009, 06:07 PM

actually since it was a rebuild cable kit do you think the needle could have been shorter than the stock toyota one?... cause If I cut the cable to the right length the it shouldn't be a problem just the needle and male end mating up.

cre · 10-31-2009, 06:37 PM

It's possible that the one cable wasn't the only problem too. Also, it's possible that the crimp wasn't tight enough and the cable just isn't moving the end.

The speedo is easy enough to test, pull the cluster, and use a dowel (sanded square) in a drill to drive it. Remember, it won't read if you're running it backward.

With the cable a too long is better than a too short. 1/8" shouldn't matter, but 1/4" or more would. Are you sure it's securely mounted to the green basket (or whatever you want to call it)?

EDIT: When you pull the cluster to test the speedo, try turning the cable's spindle by hand... if it moves more than a quarter turn or so you probably have another break somewhere.

Raysupra · 11-01-2009, 03:47 AM

after looking at it. I had the needle attached before the female plastic mount behind the cluster. I bought a new kit since I already crimped the other nipple..should i post a new thread for my engine running to hot? right fluids.. Ill post if that fixed it tomorrow thanks for the help, the nipple fits into the odometer so it should work

10-31-2009, 03:23 AM	#1
Raysupra 3" Exhaust Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Camp Lejeune Posts: 59	Speedo cable problems... I just recently replaced the speedometer cable and just drove the car in the parking lot to make sure it was spinning. My delima is that its still not activateing the guage.. is it to short or something or bent? its the same size as the old one but I dont know if it is long enough or something?... Is it possible to adjust it?

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10-31-2009, 03:50 AM	#2
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	Did you replace both parts of the cable? There are two... If you know the cable is good then there only remain a couple other possibilities: broken driven gear, broken speedo, or the cable and the input on the speedo aren't mating up.

10-31-2009, 03:47 PM	#3
Raysupra 3" Exhaust Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Camp Lejeune Posts: 59	I didnt replace both parts, just the main long one since i broke the nipple off to the cable.I think the cable isn't long enough to mate up with the speedo...? by maybe a 1/8th of a inch or something... I thought I cut it plenty long enough... same length as the old one. hm how could I test the speedo guage?

10-31-2009, 05:38 PM	#4
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	You cut it? Huh? Every speedo cable I've seen from Toyota was the right size to begin with. Why did you have to cut it and where did you get it? An 1/8" of an inch really should be enough to prevent it from mating with the speedo unless the sheath has been cut down too much and the cable is falling out of the green collar/endpiece.

10-31-2009, 06:04 PM	#5
Raysupra 3" Exhaust Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Camp Lejeune Posts: 59	I bought a universal one from autozone.. same cable just needs to be cut to size... Square end with a metal tip and crimping piece.. its the same thing just cut the cable to the right size. Im not 100% sure its to short but the pin only sits about halfway down in the female connector and I put the male end in their and set the cluster all the way down and nothing... should I go buy another cable for like 10$ and try to cut it longer or test the guage and see if its bad?

10-31-2009, 06:07 PM	#6
Raysupra 3" Exhaust Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Camp Lejeune Posts: 59	actually since it was a rebuild cable kit do you think the needle could have been shorter than the stock toyota one?... cause If I cut the cable to the right length the it shouldn't be a problem just the needle and male end mating up.

10-31-2009, 06:37 PM	#7
cre Toyota Racing Development Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 5,038	It's possible that the one cable wasn't the only problem too. Also, it's possible that the crimp wasn't tight enough and the cable just isn't moving the end. The speedo is easy enough to test, pull the cluster, and use a dowel (sanded square) in a drill to drive it. Remember, it won't read if you're running it backward. With the cable a too long is better than a too short. 1/8" shouldn't matter, but 1/4" or more would. Are you sure it's securely mounted to the green basket (or whatever you want to call it)? EDIT: When you pull the cluster to test the speedo, try turning the cable's spindle by hand... if it moves more than a quarter turn or so you probably have another break somewhere.

11-01-2009, 03:47 AM	#8
Raysupra 3" Exhaust Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Camp Lejeune Posts: 59	after looking at it. I had the needle attached before the female plastic mount behind the cluster. I bought a new kit since I already crimped the other nipple..should i post a new thread for my engine running to hot? right fluids.. Ill post if that fixed it tomorrow thanks for the help, the nipple fits into the odometer so it should work