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Speedometer Problems - 1979 CJ5

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Speedometer Problems - 1979 CJ5
Ugh! I am frustrated. I went to take the calble off to give it a good lube job, and it was twisted up in knots! alsmost completely severed in two places. It must have really been in a bind.....it was brand new ~200 miles ago. Surely it was the lubricant...off to ordern another one :mad::(
 
Was that cable ever hooked up to your old speedo cluster?

Something was binding to cause it to twist up.
 
Just figured it out....I used what I could salvage of the cable and a drill to check both the old speedometer and the new one. The old one is fine (other than the needle doesn't work...that is why I bought the new one). The new one is bound up. Sheesh, the easiest part of the Jeep is the one giving me the most trouble! Now I'm trying to decide if I ask for a refund or exchange on the new one, and if I should try to find a working original somewhere.
 
Kinda what I said from the start, hate to say I told you so.
 
It's ok, I'm rubbing salt in my own wounds. I've made some repairs to this vehicle that far exceed my experience level w/o trouble, and this is whipping my tail. I've been in the garage tonight playing with the old one, and took it apart. Not much to those things, but I can't figure out how to do much to it with the tools I have. It looks like the shaft that runs through it has too much slack....maybe a washer or spacer or something disenigrated or something? I've passed the return for no reason from Quadratec...but I can exchange defective merchandise. I'll call the Monday AM to see what they will do.

As usual, thanks for all the help guys. I'll let you know how it turns out. While I wait for parts, on to the next project....Carburetor rebuild! :D
 
I guess I'll be very blunt. The reason why I and many others can seemingly diagnose things out of thin air is that we and others have many years of working on CJs (my first is is 40 years old).
We have the advantage of time! Hell, we all messed up but as you will we learned from the mistakes. :) (and they weren't recorded on the Internet thing)

You will be fine and you will be around when I am not to help out... :)
 
Thanks. My first vehicle was a 1981 CJ7 when I was 16 (20 years ago). I only drove it for about 1 1/2 years before I got rid of it for a newer model pickup truck. I always vowed to get another one when I had the space to work on it, and didn't need to rely on it as primary transportation. I've only had this one for three months, but I've enjoyed working on it as much as driving it....kind of wierd I know.

I have a job that is very stressful, and believe it or not, this is my stress relief. Nothing like listening to the radio, working on the jeep, and enjoying each small success. This forumn is priceless for someone w/o much experience.

Once I get all of these small things fixed, I'll enjoy it for a couple of years. When my 10 year old son is a couple of years older, we'll tear it down and build it up like new, which is something I've always wanted to do. Hopefully he'll enjoy it as his first vehicle like I did mine. Thanks again.:chug:
 
I can understand the stress relief as I too have an occupation that leaves me exhausted (mentally) after the day. I too enjoy going to the garage and just getting back to MY work!
 
Trigger said:
~~~The old one is fine (other than the needle doesn't work...that is why I bought the new one)
Click to expand...
What needles are you talking about? The fuel and temp gauge? They can be replaced...
 
CJ said:
I too have an occupation that leaves me exhausted (mentally) after the day.
Click to expand...

I thought I was getting pooped because I'm an old guy. . .:D
 
The speedometer needle. The odometer works fine. Anyone have any luck trying to repair these? Looks like they work with a magnet maybe?
 
yes there should be a spinning inner disk with a magnet. This causes the outter forks connected to the needle to move. I like dry graphite.
 
Quadratec replaced my speedometer, and it is working now. A full tube of lubricant, and the needle is still bouncing. Maybe this is just part of it? I can't remember if my old CJ7 did that as well. Should I just fill the entire cable w/oil of some sort?
 
A speedometer needle is not supposed to bounce, I once corrected one that bounced by replacing the just cable, I was told to do this after consulting with a speedo shop. After you have exausted your online research and given up working with it, I would suggest seeing the pros on that. Thanks for the update.
 
I replaced the cable with this installation? I even pulled the speedo gear to check it. It is still in good shape. Maybe it just needs some more oil.
 
I would go back to the speedo gear in tranny. Make sure it turns freely
 
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