Best way to check speedo cable is working.
 

Noticed on the way to footy my speedo wasn't working, had this issue a while back. Anyway stuck my hand under the steering wheel to check the cable was in properly, it seemed a tad loose so made sure it was in tight. On my way back still wasn't working, revs etc work just not the speedo. What's the easiest way to check the cable is possibly bad? Was going to have a quick look gearbox end but gave up as it was getting dark and didn't fancy burning my hand off, lol. As always advice is grateful :)

Easiest place is as it enters the top of the gearbox,there's a clip that holds it to the 45 degree bend...pop it off and get someone to watch the speedo as you spin the cable. If it moves then you know it's ok from that point to the speedo. Mine snapped in the bend and cost me £45 from eBay.
Andy

That's great, cheers andy.

Going to give this a blast tonight after work. When i disconnect the cable will i be ok moving the cable with just my hand, enough for me to know if its at fault?

You can move it freely going towards the speedo but the gearbox side won't move....unless it's snapped of course

So to test that the longer cable is okay i do what? Remove it and see if the wire in side spins freely?

You can if you want but as I put in my first post have someone watch the speedo,you spin the inner cable and they will see the needle move if it's ok,if not then you know the long cable has snapped

Get ya. If the speedo moves the issue will be with either the convertor or cable that goes into the gearbox end.

Exactly:thumb:

Appreciate the help mate

Righty. Finally got round to checking the cable. Un clipped the top one from speedo convertor and got someone to check the speedo moves, which it does so I'm thinking the bottom section is at fault. Getting a complete cable tomo inc speedo convertor. The only thing I found a pain and still isn't on properly the metal clip that holds it in the convertor. What would you recommend to secure it? It will be easier when I stick it on the ramp in work tomo hopefully

It is a pain to get on and to be honest before I changed the converter it didn't have a clip on it,you could get away with not putting it on but I messed about and got the new one on.

Definatly is a pain. I've secured it the best I can. All being well in getting the replacement one tomo which looks a bit better. If it goes again I will look into having just one cable and change the clocks with fascia cover for mph. This is the one I've bought

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291161240918

I changed the 45 degree bend part as it had snapped due to water ingress and bought a brand new replacement,most likely it's the same as what's happened to yours....unless it's damaged as it goes into the gearbox which will be bad news

The smaller part that goes into the gearbox is quite common to go with having a convertor above it. Aparantly puts strain on the lower cable?. I'm hoping its straight forward, which of course won't be, lol.

New cable fitted and no different. The bottom one was knakered though. I'm thinking maybe the clocks are at fault

Just got home. Car boosts fine no eml at 4500rpm. Looking at the lower gearbox cable I've not screwed it all the way in, doh.

So all sorted then?

Nope. I can't access it from the top as the damn downpipe is in the way. Got to it before as I used the ramp in work. I've got a new exhaust to go on so when I remove the downpipe I will have plenty of access. I'm hoping screwing it in properly will work. On the old one the cable practically fell out and did look snapped. That and it looks like it's been on the car for sometime.

Ah ok,that will probably be the cause. I managed it with the downpipe there but it was a struggle. Good luck:thumb:

Thanks, and I appreciate your advice mate. Will update hopefully tomo when I get the exhaust on.

My pleasure

Tightened the lower cable and it's no different. It boosts, revs fine etc. losing patience now :(

The only thing you can do is take it back out the gearbox,spin the cable all connected together...see if the needle moves if it does then you know the issue is in the gearbox.

Ok thanks. I've taken the convertor off and plugged it straight into the gearbox end. Will take it for a spin now. It's the convertor at fault on the replacenent, the speedo works although a bit juddery

I've spoken to the guy who sold me the cables and he assures me it was working. Says that it can be a pain to link the cable up??? I was thinking can it go in the back of the clock instead? I have a spare cable that works and connected it to the convertor. When joined and you move the main cable, should the one that comes out of the convertor move too?

Mine didn't have a converter so I wouldn't know as my speedo was still in kmh. If it moved on your drive out then you know it's working it could be either a dodgy converter or as he's said it can be that they ain't connected properly

Ok thanks. What a faff and it doesn't help I stress way to easily :(

Righty. Well everything is working and tbh the car is driving spot on. Its either a dodgy convertor or as you say its not connected properly. I noticed this morning on the lower cable the retaining clip isnt on there that i guess holds the convertor in place, doh!. Any ideas where i would get one from without buying a brand new cable?

Main dealer?