This is my next job on the wagon.

Problem: Speedometer needle is erratic and has a 20mph swing when I am going between 50-80mph. I can hear it spinning behind the cluster -- click, click, click, but at a high speed.
I have replaced the cable, TWICE (Gemo brand). It is routed correctly against the transmission.

Could the actual speedometer head be worn a little so that it is slipping inside?
Any other things I can try here?

PS: This has been going on for 7 years...I kinda just got used to it, but now its affecting my cruise control since I sent it off to be resoldered + fixed last month. The cruise control will stutter because the speedometer is swaying. Plus its just driving me crazy now and I've had enough.

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2016 Monsoon Gray Audi Allroad - 21k
2008 Black Mercedes E350 4Matic Sport - 131k
2014 Jeep Wranger Unlimited Sahara - 62k
2003 Gray Mercedes ML350 - 122k

This partially sounds like my 190E. The speedometer head will make a tick tick sound but the cruise control is in effected. This makes me think the problem is in the head. Or the cable isnt fully engaged or something like that. I really really dislike these mechanical speedometers.

In my 300D the cable was bad. It gave me a 10 MPH bounce and that really pissed off the cruise control. I replaced it with an MB cable and have been fine ever since. I had the cluster out a few weeks ago to replace some of the idiot lights and managed to do something to the cable and induce a bounce in the needle. Doesnt effect cruise but still pissed me off royally.

With your problem my initial thought is the cabl buts you've replaced it. Twice. Is Gemo == MB oem? I've never bought anything other than MB branded cables. All my initial installs were successful. I know the cable spins a small disc that a sensor picks up. I'm not sure how everything is mechanically coupled so I can't say exactly. Is there any speed range that the needle is smooth?

You might want to consider grabbing a speedometer/cluster from the junkyard and seeing how it performs against yours. That way you could definitely say one way or another it is the head or the cable.

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Cruise Control not working? Send me PM or email (jamesdean59@gmail.com). I might be able to help out.
Check here for compatibility, diagnostics, and availability!

(4/11/2020: Hi Everyone! I am still taking orders and replying to emails/PMs/etc, I appreciate your patience in these crazy times. Stay safe and healthy!)


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