rattling "bouncy" speedometer - cause?

[DarkHorse]

I get on the freeway this morning in my '95 to find my speedo bouncing around my general speed, rather than going up and down smoothly like usual.

It also makes somewhat of a rattling or scratching type noise, so something obviously came loose or snapped.

I'm not one who's afraid to get in there and poke around or fix it myself, but I was curious as to whether this is a common problem on the 2nd gen 4runners and if anyone might know the direct cause or offer a quick fix.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

 

[Ebola888]

It sounds like you have a bad speedometer cable. I had the same symptoms on my '89 4X4 DLX. I replaced the cable and the needle bounce and noise are gone.

 

[mcbk1452]

Same thing..but no noise...just during acceleration...instead of a smooth "Rolex" movement of the indicator..it just "bounces"...

You're saying to replace the throttle cable not the entire instrument cluster?

Is that hard to replace the throttle cable ..DIY?

 

[DarkHorse]

thanks for the replies.

and no, I shouldn't see any reason to replace the whole instrument cluster when it would be more specifically a problem located at the connections of the speedo cable or in the cable itself.

any idea how much I might be able to pick up a new cable for? ..and would that be something I could possibly order through an autozone/pepboys type of store or would it have to be through the dealer more specifically?

 

[mcbk1452]

duh...I fogot that I have a Haynes manual...let me look through it to see if it says anything about throttle cable replacement....

 

[Ebola888]

If I remember correctly the speedometer cable was about $65.

The hardest part of the installation was getting the cable disconnected from the back of the instrument gauges. I didn't want to dismantle the whole dash so I just reached up underneath to do it. If you have smaller hands it should be a piece of cake. If not, taking the dash apart might make more sense.

mcbk1452 the throttle cable goes from the accelerator pedal to the throttle body. The speedometer cable goes from the transmission to the instrument gauges. A faulty throttle cable won't cause the needle to bounce, but a bad speedo cable will. Just trying to clarify things.

Hope this helps.

 

[eightnine]

I get on the freeway this morning in my '95 to find my speedo bouncing around my general speed, rather than going up and down smoothly like usual.

It also makes somewhat of a rattling or scratching type noise, so something obviously came loose or snapped.

I'm not one who's afraid to get in there and poke around or fix it myself, but I was curious as to whether this is a common problem on the 2nd gen 4runners and if anyone might know the direct cause or offer a quick fix.

Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

i have the same problem on my 1st gen. But for some reason when i put the overdrive on and the ECT on it becomes smooth. Everyone tells me its cause the engine has no power lol... But i guess its the cables.

 

[n8buddy]

same problem here to, just havent bothered to look at it yet. when its warm out it doesnt jump to bad or make noise, but when the temp drops (especially below 0C) the noise in unbearable. guess i should fix it before winter comes around....

is it hard to do?

 

[Red]

Im going to try and bring this thread back to life a bit.

Did any of you guys end up replacing the speedo cable?

I have a 95' and there is a strange "rattling" type sound coming from behind my guage cluster and I think my speedo was bouncing a bit when it was colder and based on what I've read most people seem to think that this is due to a faulty speedo cable, Im going to try to do mine but I was just wondering if any of you guys ended up doing this and what kind of difficulty level is it? I want to try to avoid taking the alot of the dash apart.

If someone has a write-up somewhere that would be great!

Thanks.

 

[n8buddy]

I tried spraying some graphite based lubricant into the end of the cable last summer as it was silent all winter, so it seems to work as a quick fix. Ill just keep doing it that way, it has lasted almost a year so far.

 

[Red]

I tried spraying some graphite based lubricant into the end of the cable last summer as it was silent all winter, so it seems to work as a quick fix. Ill just keep doing it that way, it has lasted almost a year so far.

Im not too familiar with these components, could you explain what you did a bit better? which end of the cable did you stray the lubricant into? where it plugs into the transmission?

Sorry I've never had to deal with something like this before, if you could give me a short step by step that would be cool.

 

[n8buddy]

you will have to take you gauge cluster out, to do that you just take off the plastic piece below the steering wheel (3 or 4 screws and 1 10mm bolt, i dont take off the gas door or hood levers, i just let the piece sit on the floor), then take off the black trim around the cluster (2 screws, you will have to unplug dimmer switch, hazard lights switch, and rear defrost/clutch start cancel, if equipped. then the peice just popes off).
the gauge cluster is held on by 4 screws, and then you will have to reach around it to unplug 3 plugs and the speedo cable. the speedo cable has a sort of cone shaped end on it and i just sprayed the graphite spray (aerosol can from local hardware) into the end. where safety glasses and clothes you dont care about, b/c my first spray came back and got me in the face.

 

[toplessrunner]

My runner does this also, my plan is to remove the tach, have passenger spray lubricant into cable will I am driving, hoping gravity and rotation will draw the lube down the entire cable, in return have a fully lubed throttle cable, Im trying it this weekend, Ill let you guys know how it goes

 

[jrs2]

Or you could just remove the end of the speedo cable where it goes into the tranny and chuck it in a variable speed electric drill.

Should be easier and safer than doing it while driving.

Or, I just came across this on an MR2 forum.

http://www.mr2oc.com/showthread.php?t=294827&highlight=speedometer+cable

Here they take the inner cable out and run it through a bottle of oil to lube it. Don't know if this is do-able on the 4Runner cable, but they're both Toyotas.

I replaced my speedo cable a couple of years ago. Got about 15 years on the first so hopefully have another 13 years before it goes.

 

[Griffin1340]

same problem here to, just havent bothered to look at it yet. when its warm out it doesnt jump to bad or make noise, but when the temp drops (especially below 0C) the noise in unbearable. guess i should fix it before winter comes around....

is it hard to do?

Have the same problem with my '90's speedo...when its cold out it squeals and the needle jumps around. I took the instrument cluster out and used a spray grease into the speedo cable head. Long spray and lots of it...took care of it...well until it's below -20f, then I cant blame it for acting up!

 

[Alabama4Runner]

Guys,

There's a replaceable drive gear on the end of the speedometer cable where it goes into the transmission. I haven't done it myself but my mechanic has. Go to the dealer and see if there isn't a replacable part...easier than the entire speedometer cable.

 

[toplessrunner]

I was able to fix my speedometer last weekend, it does not jump or rattle anymore, I used Prolong lubricant on the cable and a small amount on the odometer where the cable connects, FYI if anyone uses my method please do it in a empty parking lot.

 

[rob dives]

try this

jc whitney sells a speedo cable lubricator it attaches to a gease gun. also if you can disconnect from tranny side a slowly pull on inner cable you can inspect it for kinks/grease and put it back .

 

[rob dives]

try this

jc whitney sells a speedo cable grease tool and grease.detach cable both ends and lube cable...also some cars cable pull out easy inspect for kinks/grease and replace.. check speedo cable gear at tranny end for damage...good luck

 

[Lewichris]

I have just taken my dash apart due to this same problem. What I found was old ass grease causing the cable to work too hard to turn the gear. I put PB blaster in there to loosen it up. Then cleaned it out with parts cleaner. Then put in some new light grease. Put back together and absolutely no bounce or squealing. No need to lube the cable for me. The problem was old ass grease in a 25 year old vehicle. Hope this helps someone out.