duckson

iTrader: (2)

I have a 1994 WRX import, it has had a speed converter fitted and so is in mph / odometer clocks in miles.
The needle flickers slightly but appeared when i got the car to be reading the speed ok (i.e. it moves) but i cant be sure how accurate it is as I havent had a chance to compare it to the speed reported by a Sat Nav or other GPS device.


However my real question is that today on a dual carriageway the speedo seemed to struggle going over mid 60's mph, the car was definately accelerating as the revs were rising and the scenery was moving faster (ie the clutch wasnt slipping and revs rising and no speed increase!), you got a sensation of speeding up.
Could this be a faulty kmh-mph converter or something else like the cable or would the cable either work or not ie snapped?

I dont know if the converter is fitted to the back of the instrument binnacle or at the gearbox end, i suppose i will have to take out the binnacle to see if i can see a converter on the back where the speedo cable plugs in.
If its on the gearbox end how would i get at it, can i see it easily or is it a big job?
Are these converters prone to going dodgy?

I did check the rpm at 70mph a couple of days ago and it was 3500rpm (5sp short ratio box) yet last night it was 4000rpm at 70mph.....what should the rpm at 70mph be in 5th wit hthis box?

Thanks for any help/advice on what the issue might be.

my94wrx

iTrader: (4)

i had the same problem with speedo converter just before it packed up the needle was jumping around and the speed wasn't correct then it it stopped altogether, the speedo converter can as you say be fitted in two different places either behind the clocks or or halfway down the speedo cable where it has a join, you can see this by looking down the back of the engine on the drivers side

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Subaru-Impreza...item3cad079b45

duckson

iTrader: (2)

Thanks mate.

I will see if i can see anything from the gearbox end before i tackle removing the binnacle although i understand its only 4 screws to remove so doesnt sound to much of a pain.

my94wrx

iTrader: (4)

no worries, yes it easy to remove the clocks if you dont have the gearbox end.

duckson

iTrader: (2)

OK just had a quick look under the bonnet.
From what i can see there is a silver metal box very similar to the one you posted in the ebay link coming from the gearbox - 6 inch of cable from gearbox / then the silver box / then another cable from this into the drivers dash area via a grommet.
I assume i have the right cable as the end covers are also orange like in the link.

Looks like its a ramps job to replace it maybe....might squeeze under though.

What would normally be there to join the 2 pieces of speedo cable or would it go directly into the gearbox from the dash/binnacle though it looks like it would be to short to do this as it stands!

bigsigh

iTrader: (4)

They normally just join to each other as std. , the cable is separated and the converter fitted

duckson

iTrader: (2)

OK thanks. Thought i read something about a clip as well?

I think the best plan of action is to remove the speed converter, rejoin the cables (easy?) and see if the speedo needle doesnt flicker and it seems to at least give the correct speeds in kph. Then if all ok i may source a converter that goes behind the binnacle as the gearbox ones are apparently not used so much now and i'm finding them hard to find.

duckson

iTrader: (2)

Just borrowed a sat nav and 70mph on the sat nav is 55mph on the clock!! eeek.

It must of been ok the other day as 70mph on the sat nav is 3500rpm in top (5th) which is what the speedo was showing on Tuesday at the same rpm/gear combo.

duckson

iTrader: (2)

Sorry to keep bombing the thread but does this look like its defo a kph-mph converter?

my94wrx

iTrader: (4)

no worries that is indeed the speed converter and the exact same one as mine, which packed up, by the sounds of it yours is on its way out aswell, one thing you can do is remove the speed converter and then check if the KPH reading is correct on you sat nav doing this will tell you weather the clocks are ok.

burbling1

iTrader: (1)

From the factory they do normaly have a clip to hold them together.

duckson

iTrader: (2)

Well took about 2 hours as its a pig to get at even with my Dad helping (well doing 75% of it...lol), unfastened it from the gearbox, managed to pull it out to the top of the engine (had to unfasten the intercooler), removed the converter, put the cable back together but the circlip was slightly to big or not quite the right one but it went on so wrapped it up with tape and managed to re-route it back down and fasten back onto the gearbox.
Test drive revealed that the speedo is now smooth, no flicker and 100kph (62mph) = 61mph on the sat nav.
Better get a new converter ordered, this time one behind the instrument binnacle!

These seems to get good feedback:- http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...T#ht_920wt_939

Tried spinning the converter that was removed and it feels a bit rough and seems to jam slightly at the same point in the rotation....one for the bin.

DDS789

iTrader: (2)

They are good, but these plug into the back of the clocks.

Mine just broke, but dont fancy shelling out £55 for one

nardoblue

iTrader: (1)

Had to replace the bottom 6" of speedo cable twice as the converter puts a strain on that cable........was £55 for a genuine 6" cable so got the second one off ebay

duckson

iTrader: (2)

Yea not cheap at £55, wonder how long it'll last!

DDS789

iTrader: (2)

I imagine mine went on in 2007 when imported. They are only little pastic cogs inside, that i guess wear out, but then again it may have been me that broke it.

Certainly not worth the money, but quite a specific part and it seems no where else supplies them.

I just guess my speed now, and crall past speed cameras lol