A speedometer cable is a long cord on the rear side of the speedometer, empowered by the drive shaft and spin magnet, and assists the car speed measurement. It connects to the gearbox and delivers input signals to the vehicle computer.
How to Fix a Noisy Speedometer Cable? You can fix a noisy speedometer cable by removing the steering wheel and instrument panel, pulling off the old cable, installing a new cord, and connecting it to the transmission. Establish a connection, re-adjust parts, and inspect.
Due to insufficient lubrication, the cable loses functions; the needle jumps abruptly and produces squealing sounds. The continuous noise emergence from the dashboard can distract the driver.
Remove the steering assembly and instrument panel
Remove the car steering wheel from the mounting area and make the instrument panel more visible. For its removal, park the car, disconnect the power supply and access the steering wheel.
Then, you can remove the airbag and hold the specific bolt which mounts the steering wheel in a position. Without a puller, you can loosen it with a wrench and pull it off.
Rotate the steering wheel, loosen it from the spot and remove the lock with an air-based impact gun. With a socket, you can loosen the nut, hold the steering wheel, spin it, and remove it.
Now, you can approach the instrument panel between the dual plastic-based panels. They have several screws to stabilize them in the mounting position.
You can hold the plastic coverage and remove it. Then, you can loosen the panel and pull it with strength and remove it.
With the speedometer cord, dual connectors of wire attach on its rear side. You can adjust a clip on them, pull with gentle strokes and remove them.
Pull off the old cable
In this step, you can access the position of the speedometer cable on your car. In such circumstances, you can use a flashlight to make the dashboard and panel visible.
According to standard adjustment, it crosses the steering column and moves toward the console. The manufacturer adjusts it on a plastic-based housing, which connects with an AC system.
With a 90-degree rotation, it mounts to the firewall, and a rubber grommet secures it. Inside the hood, it can run through transmission and move across the chassis.
With plastic clips, it can fit in the mount. During the swap, removing the old and noisy speedometer cords is essential.
It has several clips which can keep it intact. For removing the clips, pull them and remove them.
You can loosen the black clip nearest to the steering assembly. From the aircon assembly, you can remove the white plastic clips.
Now, you can pull the grommet and black plastic clips from the chassis. With a wrench, you can loosen the metallic knob from the gearbox.
For easier removal, you can apply high-quality WD-40, which has the properties of a smooth penetrating lubricant. You can allow its absorption for 2 to 3 minutes.
You can wrap the metallic knob and rotate it manually with a wrench. You can loosen it from the surface due to lubrication and remove it.
You can hold this cable on the driver’s side of an automobile and slide it. You can move it towards the firewall and slowly pull it outwards.
From the engine bay, you can remove it with pulling and do not damage the surrounding wires.
Adjust the new cable with the transmission
You can install a new, compatible, and efficient cable on the rear side of the car speedometer. In this process, you can open the hood and approach one side of the firewall.
Then, you can adjust the new cable from one end, which has mounting and adjustment properties. You can push the cable slowly and move its half or one-third portion.
Also, you can push it toward the rubber grommet for better adjustment. For an internal turn, you can twist the cable slightly.
Then, you can make a U-shape turn internally and push it toward the gearbox of your automobile. You can connect it to the gearbox on the transmission side.
Generally, the vehicle transmission comprises small holes. Due to this specific hole, you can adjust it and its shaft firmly.
The cable shaft is notched, which requires a stable mount inside the hole of the gearbox. However, a few shafts have reduced lengths due to their style and composition.
In such circumstances, you can slowly push the other end for proper adjustment. Then, you can stabilize the cord with screws and nuts.
You can re-adjust the nuts of a metallic knob, tighten them with a wrench and fix them. Finally, you can adjust the cord firmly with the gearbox and check its adjustment to remove the fixing problems.
Establish a connection with the panel
You can reconnect the cable to the instrument panel for a firm connection. For this procedure, you can slowly push the adjusted cord in one direction of the firewall.
Then, you can push the cord according to the internal passage. Now, you can adjust the new cord with the transmission.
You can fix it in the mounting surface with the three plastic clips, tuck them, and secure it. Also, you can adjust the dual electric-based connectors.
Then, you can reinstall the instrument panel inside the dashboard of your vehicle. You can examine the connection of the cable because it does not bend at a particular angle.
Also, you can inspect the dashboard before re-adjusting the panel. You can use new clips and a grommet to adjust the instrument panel.
Readjust parts and inspect
You can reinstall the removed steering wheel and assembly. For the re-installation, you can add the mounting nuts and tighten them with specific tools.
After its re-adjustment, you can examine the speedometer and its cable. For the inspection, you can drive the automobile when the windows are up.
Also, you can keep the aircon shut during the inspection procedure. During the examination, the instrument panel should not produce noises.
Sometimes, this panel does not produce unnecessary sounds, but the needle remains in one particular position. Due to the non-working conditions of the needle, the instrument panel shows the incorrect installation of the cord.
Also, it indicates the internal faults which require a re-fixation. However, you can check the cable according to its attachment points.
You can secure the cord in the mounting area with more clips. Due to faults, the needle remains stable. You can move it when you align the cord with the gearbox and panel.
With the navigation system, the inspection becomes challenging. A friend can aid you in checking the precision of the built-in speedometer and its cord.
For the stability check, you can drive the automobile at a stable and continuous speed. During these inspections, you cannot change the speed because it can alter the cord connection with the transmission.
In these inspections, you can check the speed readings through the GPS. The reduction of readings by about 3% to 6% indicates that the instrument panel is faulty and requires replacement.
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