Speedometer problem

[Guest plym69]

Help! Speedometer was working fine -then started jumping erratically - did this for several miles and then died altogether. Odometer is working. Replaced the Speed Distance Sensor and cleaned the female connector. Still no luck. Odometer works fine. What else could it be? If it is the speedo - any idea on what a replacement would cost? Thanks for any ideas - Ken

[Guest Jim_McNally]

Actually mine on my 8V just started doing the same thing, only when it first starts up - once it runs for a while, it stops jumping and works fine. I suspect the connections to the cluster on this one. It will be a while before I can take it apart to see, leaving for the holiday...

Jim

[Guest My TC Toy]

The odometer feeds directly off the gears that run the spedometer. If the odo is working and the speedo not, the problem has to be in the speedo head.

[Guest plym69]

Thanks guys.Not looking forward to taking that dash apart. Two questions: Is there an easy way to remove the headlight knob - and - once I get the dash apart is there a way to change the color of the illumination from orange to green? Thanks Ken

[Guest Luckyguy]

There is no easy way. It takes three hands. I turn on the head lights which allows a little more room to use a long (10 inch) screwdriver to push the headlight knob release button. It is hard to see and to push. You have to pull the knob while holding in the release button. Then I use my ice pick to turn off the headlights.

[Nile]

Lou Z clued me into an easy way to remove the headlight switch. Get a long, heavy needle, small awl, ice pick or similar tool and bend the tip around so it's past perpendicular. Then just pull out on the switch (which turns the lights on) and run your custom tool up one of the 3 sides of the shaft until you feel contact, then pull. If you've gotten the correct side, the knob will easily come off. If not, just repeat with another side until you get it. Remember to push the shaft back in so the lights extinguish.

[Guest My TC Toy]

The release pin is located on the right side of the headlight switch about half way from the bottom to the top of the switch and toward the rear of the switch. If you get a bright shop light and look real carefully you can just see it. While pushing in on the release pin, it is helpful to wiggle the switch. Once you have the cluster face plate released you can rotate it 90 deg. up and this will give you better access, also remove the positive battery cable until you finish your work.

Good luck