Speedo cable check possible?

[Datsrboi]

My car had a motor swap long ago from a NA to turbo. I do not remember if it work when it was in the original owners hand but is there anyway to check to see if the speedometer cable or gauge cluster is broken without yanking everything out of the car? I do not know which is broken either the cluster or the cable. How do I check? I did search but only see result on people complaining that their cable kept on breaking or not being able to remove the cable but nothing on how to diagnose it.

 

[s383mmber1]

SO what is your exact problem? The speedometer doesnt work?

 

[Datsrboi]

SO what is your exact problem? The speedometer doesnt work?

Yeah But I dont know if its because the speedometer is broken or the cable.

 

[americanjebus]

I have same problem, except im pretty dam sure that its because my speedo cable came off its support and was hanging on top of my exhaust.

Speedo cable has two pieces, 1 short piece that comes out of tranny and over the DP, then a longer piece that goes up the firewall into the gauge cluster (more of a bitch to change)

Havent tried it but you could disconnect the short piece from the long piece and hook it up to a drill some how, if you can use the drill to spin the long peice of the speedo cable then you should get SOME sort of speed reading in your speedo. If nothing than that upper portion has the problem.

 

[s383mmber1]

Mine was working, and it turns out it wasnt screwwed all the way into my tranny.

 

[BorHor]

Take the cluster out and go for a spin. If the needle is spinning then it is your cluster. if it isn't it is most likely your cable.

 

[isnms]

This will tell you how to test it and how to replace it:
http://www.supras.com/06/techcenter/display.php?QID=29

 

[Datsrboi]

This will tell you how to test it and how to replace it:
http://www.supras.com/06/techcenter/display.php?QID=29

Thank but HOLY COW

Approximate time: 4 hours <----------------
Cost: approx. US$80
Test vehicle: 1987 NA Automatic

 

[supraguy@aol]

Havent tried it but you could disconnect the short piece from the long piece and hook it up to a drill some how, if you can use the drill to spin the long peice of the speedo cable then you should get SOME sort of speed reading in your speedo. If nothing than that upper portion has the problem.

I have done this- it's easy.

 

[YouGotSpooled]

I broke my cable. It turned out the be the lower short piece of it. Just disconnect it, and spin it with your fingers for awhile. I just reset my Tripometer and spun it with my fingers for a bit.

 

[supraguy@aol]

Yeah, after I tested my upper cable with the "drill" method and ruled that out, I unscrewed my lower cable and found the tranny-end was sheared. $16 for a new one from the dealer- not bad.