Hi,

I have been having some problems with my w123 speedo cable, which must somehow be binding up a bit, causing the speedometer needle to not move unless I tap on the gauges. I think that the routing and attachment to the car is a little bit off.

What I would really appreciate would be a picture of the speedometer cable mounted to the car at the pont near the oil filter, and the point near the transmission oil pan.

Any help with this would be really appreciated, especially if your speedo is running etremely smooth, even up to 20 mph.

Thanks very much!

JMH

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
2008 ML320 CDI (199k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)

Sorry I don't have a picture for you, but this sentence got my attention:

Any help with this would be really appreciated, especially if your speedo is running etremely smooth, even up to 20 mph.

Is it typical for the speedo needle to kind of be wishy-washy until it reaches 20 mph? I think mine's been that way for a while now, but I was really focusing on it today. Up until about 20 mph, the needle really just kind of bounces around, while generally increasing towards 20. Once it hits 20 it becomes rock solid, and I have checked its accuracy at 60 mph, and it seems just fine. It's just this <20 mph behavior that seems weird.

Anyway, not trying to hijack the thread, but I was meaning to ask this anyway.

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'78 240D

FWIW, my car's speedo does that, and I would venture ot guess that it's a common thing in a vehicle this old.

It could be worse; my truck's speedo does that up to 35mph, and the fluctuations can be as much as 10mph...I'm going to put all aftermarket gauges in the truck someday.

Same here, seen it in a bunch of older cars of all sorts. I assume it's a worn speedo cable binding slightly.

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One more Radar Lover gone...
1982 VW Caddy diesel 406K 1.9L AAZ
1994 E320 195K

But my speedo cable is brant new... so I doubt it is worn. But it might be binding due to its route, thus my request.

On the mbz list, a number of people stated that it was because of the needles sticking to the posts; even though the paint was dry to the touch, the tack was just enough to cause it to stick until a bit of outside force helped it to move, orthe speed was quite high. This seems to be what I am undergoing right now. My needles were repainted, and when hot, it sticks worse, this morning when it was pretty cool out, the needles move as they ought to, very smooth, etc.

Maybe it inst the cable or speedo at all...

JMH

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
2008 ML320 CDI (199k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)

dissconnect the cable at the speedo and drop a few drops of oil down the cable. sorted! kushdy roller son!