Speedo still dead. Odometer works.

Mark1972 · May 5, 2019

New cable. Cars up on stands. Put in drive and the odometer turns but speedo still dead. If the trannsmission speedo gear us good, and I can watch it turn the inner cable, then I assume my speedo gauge itself is shot or broken? Before I pull the gauge cluster again, any ideas? Trying to get safetied soon.

1970 Plymouth Satellite base model
A904
318
Non rally dash

khryslerkid · May 5, 2019

If the odometer is working then you know the gear in the trans and cable are ok.

pearljam724 · May 5, 2019

If you have the rectangular standard gauge. The speedometer is broke. A plastic bushing that the pointer, stem goes through. Gets brittle and when it cracks it will no longer work. I can’t see it being easily repairable. Many people obtain gauges over the last 20-30 years from cars that sat outside too long.
I was in the same boat. An easy way to detect this before buying one. If the needle doesn’t point at zero, at rest. Then the plastic bushing is cracked/broken. The pointer stem will move in and out. Move the needle by hand and it doesn’t crack back to zero with force. Same deal.
The odometer is unlikely to ever break. It’s only consists of a metal worm gear and metal sprocket and will work as long as your cable is good.

Mark1972 · May 5, 2019

Thank you for the help. Yes, I believe the speedo gauge itself is broken. Add that to my temp and fuel gauges, and it might be easier to find a whole new gauge cluster. Or used I should say. Can the speedo gauge itself be replaced?

pearljam724 · May 5, 2019

They can all be replaced separately if you want. My suggestion is just spend for a nice looking full cluster and save your current one for parts if needed. Then sell the old.
I had the same exact problems as you not long ago. I thought I was looking at replacing my sending unit, messing with ground strap. Betting the float at least needed replaced. I bought a very nice cluster. Fixed all my problems. Everything works now. Don’t buy anything with rust on the back. Good indication it sat outside too long. Look closely at the circuit on back for burn marks or damage areas. Extremely common that the pins are broke on the back that the harness connects to. People aren’t delicate enough removing/installing harness. Make sure all pins are present and not bent buying a new one. Many for sale have a pin or 2 broken off.

BeepBeepRR · May 5, 2019

I have a speedo ill sell you cheap. It was working fine swapped clusters for one with a good board.

scottmann27 · Jul 9, 2019

Mine shows 30 mph sitting still and never moves

pearljam724 · Jul 9, 2019

scottmann27 said:
Mine shows 30 mph sitting still and never moves

Same deal, I described above. Your plastic bushing is cracked. When the bushing cracks. It doesn’t hold the needle’s stem in place properly. That’s why it’s stuck where it’s at, 30 mph. And won’t move.

Billccm · Jul 9, 2019

Contact Dicks Speedo in Tempe, AZ.
He rebuilds speedometers and clusters.

Richard Cranium · Jul 10, 2019

Billccm said:
Dicks Speedo

That just doesn't sound right.

Speedo still dead. Odometer works.

Mark1972

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khryslerkid

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pearljam724

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Mark1972

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pearljam724

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BeepBeepRR

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scottmann27

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pearljam724

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Billccm

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Richard Cranium

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