I could probably google this, but I figured I'd come to my favorite knowledge base. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I was on my way home from work this morning (0700 MST/ 28 degrees F) and I heard a loud buzzing come from my instrument cluster, specifically my speedo. I put my hand on it while I was driving and could feel a strong vibration come from the left (speedo) side.

It seemed to drop off when I slowed below 30 mph. The needle seemed to be bouncing a bit as well.

What is the cause of this new gremlin? How do I go about fixing it?

Thanks fellers. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Split speedo cable. The frayed end catches somewhere.
Take it off to check.

A dash of "New-One" will cure it!
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Maybe...

If there's crud in the speedo cable sheathing, the same thing can happen. Take it off at the speedo end and put an eyedropper full of ATF down the cable and see if that gets rid of your buzz.

If it works, you can happily call me "Buzzkil." <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

well this is obviously been posted for me as i am the "Speedo King" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

It is Most Likely your Speedometer That needs Replacing.

Your speedometer is run by a turning cable which is attached to the Transmission. First start by unscrewing the cable and housing from the transmission.

grasp the 157. tang end (cable tip) and pull the cable out of the housing.

look at the cable. Does it have rust spots? Was there any grease on it?

Wipe the cable down with a rag. Get some light grease.(DO NOT USE ANY OILS OR GRAPHITE! oil will work its way up into Japanese Speedos and ruin them!! Graphite is like putting sand into your speedo!!) I prefer Redline Grease.

Put some grease on the end of the cable and push it back into the housing. Work the cable in and out and keep adding more grease as you push it farther up into the housing.Screw the Cable and Housing back onto the Transmission.

Test drive Vehicle.

Still Noisey? If so then you must replace the Speedometer. This Type Of Speedometer can Be Lightly serviced but for this type of problem you must get a Replacement.

What happens to the speedometer is Quite simple. The Lower Frame Of The Speedo Houses a Turning Magnet on a Shaft. After time the Lubrication dries out in the Speedometer. As the Magnet shaft turns with no lube, it starts to vibrate. This will only get worse and will eventually cause the Speedometer to BLOW UP! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

Not explode but just beat itself to death! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I guess i have said enough for now.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Back in the day(80s) we put vaseline on the speedo cables at the chevy dealer where I worked.
Always worked like a charm

I've had this problem recently too with the exact same symptoms you describe; only on cold starts and only above 25-30 mph. I was going to write a post but the problem went away with warmer weather and when the vehicle warmed up. I assumed it had to do with cold gear grease in the speedo assembly as it sounded like the plasitc teeth were grinding on each other. I'm actually happy some one decided to create a post.

My Raider has done this every winter since Ive owned it (6 years now) And it goes away after the interior warms up.

In other words, Forget about it and live with it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

my speedo used to always squeak when it was cold out until the interior warmed up. then for about a week it was making a banging grinding sound...now it sits on "0km/h" all the time and squeaks constantly.....would this be a broken speedo cluster? or cable?

sorry for the hi-jack, this is just my topic.

sounds like your speedo has blown up!

but first answer this question....when you drive down the road and the speedometer reads "0" ; does the odometer still turn??

If the answer is yes; the speedometer is shot.

If the answer is no; then there is a connection or cable problem.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Well guys, I have a speedo on the way from an 87 Raider 2.6... courtesy of eBay. My tach is dead as well (this happened months ago aftere pressure washing the engine bay) so I was planning on tearing apart the cluster anyway.

Some questions:

1) Is the tach easy to swap out?
2) If the speedo on my truck now is dead, how do I go about adjusting the odometer on the donor cluster?

Thanks!