Speedo Cable - Now Im Confused - HELP!

Whosoever

Whosoever

Lurker
Sep 15, 2007
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Southern California
Ok so I bought an 89T 5spd and noticed that the speedometer didnt work. After some investigation, I realized that the car was originally an AUTO and somewhere in its life it was given a new pair of legs (5spd conversion). I though ok maybe its a sensor thats not hooked up somewhere. What I found was the speedo cable was cut in half. Ok so I replaced it with one from an AUTO that I picked up at the junk yard. Put everything back together and drove around the block and still no speedometer... Did I miss something here? I appreciate your help.
 
Late

Late

New Member
Feb 22, 2011
125
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Appleton, WI
where is the speedometer cable cut? i believe the lower half that goes into the transmission is different from the auto, it also matters which differential you have to show the correct speed.
 
Late

Late

New Member
Feb 22, 2011
125
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Appleton, WI
i dont know too much about differentials so i dont know what that is lol but for the different gear ratios you need different lower speedometer cables. each one has a specific amount of teeth to give the correct speed. i would check out the part of the cable that goes into the transmission to see that is still in good condition and that it is the correct one for that differential. im not sure if the w58 and r154 use the same lower part, its possible when the previous owner switched the transmission he used the incorrect lower piece as well.
 
Late

Late

New Member
Feb 22, 2011
125
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Appleton, WI
Whosoever;1700103 said:
^ haha correct. Ok last question. I am using an R154 tranny. Does my cable need to be from an R154 or can I use a W58?
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i havent come up with a definite answer on this, ive been researching for a few days trying to figure out my differential issues with my speedometer but havent come up with anything. it would be better to get the r154 piece because then you know it fits
 
bioskyline

bioskyline

New Member
Oct 21, 2010
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powell river bc
when i did my auto to manual swap my cable was shorter by an inch. the 3rd piece was left on the tranny, and we undid the firewall clamp and streched it the inch to fit. worked for 6 months till it snaped.

anyways i think it is specific for the 154, but if you have a w58 cable could always try it.

and late, the cable has nothing to do with making the spedo right, its the gear drive inside the tranny that changes with the gear ratio.
 
Late

Late

New Member
Feb 22, 2011
125
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Appleton, WI
bioskyline;1700117 said:
and late, the cable has nothing to do with making the spedo right, its the gear drive inside the tranny that changes with the gear ratio.
Click to expand...

yes but you can buy speedometer cable ends with different amount of teeth to compensate if its off. probably has nothing to do with why his doesnt work its just what ive been trying to figure out lately
 
destrux

destrux

Active Member
May 19, 2010
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PA
I just did the auto to W58 swap on my car and the original auto cable fit perfectly with no stretching or anything. It had 3 sections when it was connected to the A340E, apparently the one section is used only on the A/T cars. After I took that piece out it connected right up and works fine. If your cable isn't working it could be snapped inside or bound up and it stripped the end out. See if you can spin the cable with a pair of pliers, it should spin really easy. If it feels sticky it's binding from old dried grease. You can clean the cable housing out with mineral spirits and relube it if the cable isn't damaged.

The transmissions I used were both from 87 models... so that might also mean something.
 
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