Classic/Antique Car Repair/Speedometer

Advertisement

Expert: - 4/18/2008


Question
QUESTION:  My speedometer and odometer,on 1973 Buick Rivera have quit working.Can this problem be a cable?
 Walter

ANSWER: A question for you. Do you have cruise control?
Brad

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes I do have cruise control,but it has not worked in 3 years,The speedometer worked in that time frame.
Thanks Walter

Answer
Ok, this is the way that I check out a speedometer and cables. I jack the rear wheels off the ground and support the rear axle with safety stands. Under the hood locate the speedometer cable that comes from the transmission and connects to the cruise control servo. Disconnect it and start the engine and run the car in drive. Watch the cable end to see if it turns. If it does not then that cable, the lower cable, is either broken or there is a problem in the transmission with the speedometer drive gear.  If it does shut the car off and reconnect the cable. Disconnect the other cable and watch the drive in the cruise servo to see if it turns with the engine running, in drive and the rear wheels turning. If it does not then there is a problem with the cruise servo. If it does then you need to disconnect the speedometer cable from the back of the speedometer and repeat the test. If it does not turn then there is a problem with the cable and if it does turn the problem is in the speedometer head.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.