Speedometer needle Jumps - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MVK · #1 05-28-2002, 01:52 PM

Hi folks;
My speedometer needle jumps when car is between 0-10 miles. Sometimes you can also hear the click of needle hitting the stop pin near the mark zero. At high speed above 10 miles/hr its steady. Any suggestion. This is happenening for a while now.ts not getting worse but just annoying.
MVK

lrg · #2 05-28-2002, 10:27 PM

MVK,
It sounds like your speedo cable is binding a bit. At slow speeds you'd see the needle flucuate as the cable binds then releases the extra energy. At higher speeds the binding is relatively less significant and it smooths out. Done any work on the instrument cluster recently? I'd check behind there and under the dash to make sure the cable is clear and not bent too much. Also while you're at it try putting some graphite down the cable. Avoid oil because it can get dirty and cause the binding to get worse. I had luck once actually pulling the inner cable out from the instrument end, cleaning it and reinserting it. If there is any sign of wear or fraying you'll need to replace it. A good speedo shop can make one cheaply if you give them an old inner cable. When you take it out it will be dirty so watch your interior, also you'll need to twist it some to get it back in all the way. I'll bet that will solve your problem. Good luck.

LRG

MVK · #3 05-29-2002, 12:09 AM

Thanks LRG. I was thinking of lubricating it but was not sure with what. I think graphite sounds good otherwise replacement. Yes I did some work on the ACC valves but the problem was there from a while it did not get worse.
Thanks again.

MVK

DieselHead · #4 05-29-2002, 12:25 PM

I have the same problem except that my needle jumps all the way up to 20 MPH. Is there a way to fix this without disconnecting the oil pressure line? Thanks.

Alex

MVK · #5 05-29-2002, 01:35 PM

Hi Alex:
You dont have to disconnect the oil pressure line as far as I know. I think you can push the instrument cluster from behind by accessing it from under the left kick panel. You will have to remove the kick panel, slide your hand from under and behind the meters, push it out as much as you can, not too much because the speedometer connection is the one that will restrict it from coming out mor. Now disconnect the speedometer cable. It can me done by hand. Once disconnected, you can see the speedometer cable in its housing. I used a long spray tube and sprayed some graphite spray in it end. It made a big diff for now. almost no jump. But if it happens again i will replace the whole speedo cable.

Do a search on the forum many folks have replaced the speedo cable.
hope this helps
MVK