My 83 300 TD has a "sticking" speedo . It's worse when it's cold but eventually starts to work after a few miles. After warm up it shows about 5 MPH faster than my GPS receiver. I suspect that the guts of the thing a gooed up with old lubricates. Is this thing mechanically driven or Electronic ? Any freindly advice on how to get this thing unsticky? Thanks in advance Russ

These speedo's and odo's are mechanically driven. You can determine if it is actually a speedometer component that is malfunctioning if you can check the opperation of your odometer. If the odometer works correctly and accurately when the speedometer won't work, then you know it is a speedometer problem. If not, it is the drive for the entire instrument. Be aware that the older odometers tend to slip when they get old.

When you determine what the problem is, post back. However, I'd presume that the problem (if temp sensative) is caused by the mechanical cable that transfers the wheel's turning force to the speedo. This can bind when old and dry of lubricant. It is most likely the problem, as the speedo itself isn't servicible. The cable will probally have to be replaced.

Sincerely,
ATLD

My speedo and odo stopped working during the winter and, except for very brief moments, failed the entire winter. Now that we have had a few days of 60 degree+ temps, it's working again. I guess I need to add that to my "spring break" MB fix-it list. So this is like a traditional speedometer with a cable strung from the dashboard back to the transmission?

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1987 300SDL 265,000 mi.
1982 300SD 325,000 mi. (and holding)
1956 Packard Clipper 150,000 mi.