1990 4runner speedometer & cable problem

Hello,

Recently, the speedometer on my 1990 4runner SR5 (V6 3.0L 4WD) starting making a clicking noise and the needle would bounce up and down rather than hold steady at any given speed. While trying to make it home, the clicking continued and eventually the needle stopped moving completely.

Since I thought that it would be easier to disconnect the cable at the side of the transmission, I tried that first. After disconnecting it, I tried to spin the gear and could tell that the cable was binding up top. I had expected it to spin freely, indicating that the cable had snapped internally.

So, after putting that back together, I removed the instrument cluster. There it was, the cable had broken at the very tip. Of course, when I tried to extract the broken piece from the speedometer, I just pushed it further in. Any ideas as to how I can extract that piece? Do I need to disassemble the speedometer itself or would that just be a waste of time? If so, does this mean that I need to start looking for another one? Any links?

BTW, if I place a small screwdriver in the back of the speedometer and twirl it, the speedometer appears to work properly. At this point, once I replace the cable, I don't know if I'll be able to use this speedometer in its present condition. I suspect that the new cable may not seat all the way, due to that small broken piece that's still inside.

As far as the cable is concerned, can just the inner cable be replaced as opposed to the whole speedometer cable assembly? The local dealer quoted me a price of $92 and change, plus tax. And, as I expected, it's a special order item. Does anyone know of any alternative places to buy one? I tried searching for one online, but couldn't come up with any sources.

The up side, if you can call it that, is that I'll be able to replace my broken parking brake cable at the same time, seeing as how they both pass through the floor at the same point. In fact, it looks like the parking brake cable, although separate, has to be removed in order to replace the speedometer cable anyway. Is that the case?

Of course this had to happen in the middle of Winter, so I'm not looking forward to doing the job. But I really do need to get the vehicle back on the road again.

Thanks in advance to those who post a reply here.

Peter.

Reply to
Peter Bogiatzidis
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I presume you have tried holding the speedo upside down and shaking it.

Have you tried magnetising a small screwdriver or nail and using that to extract the piece? Though I am not sure if it is steel.

Otherwise, try putting a VERY small blob of superglue on the point of a nail and inserting that into the hole and waiting for it to set - then pull nail and cable end out

Good luck

David

Reply to
David

"David" wrote in message news: snipped-for-privacy@news.ceinternet.com.au... | In article , | "Peter Bogiatzidis" wrote: | | > Hello, | >

| > Recently, the speedometer on my 1990 4runner SR5 (V6 3.0L 4WD) starting | > making a clicking noise and the needle would bounce up and down rather than | > hold steady at any given speed. While trying to make it home, the clicking | > continued and eventually the needle stopped moving completely. | >

| > Since I thought that it would be easier to disconnect the cable at the side | > of the transmission, I tried that first. After disconnecting it, I tried to | > spin the gear and could tell that the cable was binding up top. I had | > expected it to spin freely, indicating that the cable had snapped | > internally. | >

| > So, after putting that back together, I removed the instrument cluster. | > There it was, the cable had broken at the very tip. Of course, when I tried | > to extract the broken piece from the speedometer, I just pushed it further | > in. Any ideas as to how I can extract that piece? Do I need to disassemble | > the speedometer itself or would that just be a waste of time? If so, does | > this mean that I need to start looking for another one? Any links? | >

| > BTW, if I place a small screwdriver in the back of the speedometer and twirl | > it, the speedometer appears to work properly. At this point, once I replace | > the cable, I don't know if I'll be able to use this speedometer in its | > present condition. I suspect that the new cable may not seat all the way, | > due to that small broken piece that's still inside. | >

| > As far as the cable is concerned, can just the inner cable be replaced as | > opposed to the whole speedometer cable assembly? The local dealer quoted me | > a price of $92 and change, plus tax. And, as I expected, it's a special | > order item. Does anyone know of any alternative places to buy one? I tried | > searching for one online, but couldn't come up with any sources. | >

| > The up side, if you can call it that, is that I'll be able to replace my | > broken parking brake cable at the same time, seeing as how they both pass | > through the floor at the same point. In fact, it looks like the parking | > brake cable, although separate, has to be removed in order to replace the | > speedometer cable anyway. Is that the case? | >

| > Of course this had to happen in the middle of Winter, so I'm not looking | > forward to doing the job. But I really do need to get the vehicle back on | > the road again. | >

| > Thanks in advance to those who post a reply here. | >

| > Peter. | | I presume you have tried holding the speedo upside down and shaking it. | | Have you tried magnetising a small screwdriver or nail and using that to | extract the piece? Though I am not sure if it is steel. | | Otherwise, try putting a VERY small blob of superglue on the point of a | nail and inserting that into the hole and waiting for it to set - then | pull nail and cable end out | | Good luck | | David

Peter:

I assume that the piece in the speedo head is plastic as most of them are nowadays. If it is plastic, take a needle (not a pin), heat it up, push it in the plastic piece (with a pair of pliers), wait for the needle to cool, then grab onto it with the pair of pliers and pull it out.

That's the way I learned to do it years ago.

Now, the reason that it broke in the first place is another story. The speedo probably needs repairing. That's why the tips are made of plastic... to shear off rather than twist the cable and do more damage.

Reply to
Steve

try a nice strong magnet. as long as it's in the connector, it should work even with metal around it. if not, a drop of superglue on a stiff wire of smaller diameter. should work. care and finesse will get it. try not to push through the hub or you will have to use the last method. all else fails...., use a dremel and superfine cutter to remove the glass, then push the broken part through, then superglue it back use a speed control or you will burn the plastic. or buy a used speedo from a junkyard. reset it with a drill. don't fudge the miledge.

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someone

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