Speedometer trouble

[Poimen]

I never thought I would post something like this on the Puritanboard but here goes...

The problem: the speedometer doesn't work. I took the cable out (which wasn't broken) and I was able to move the speedometer by turning the cable. I bought a new speedometer driven gear and had it replaced. The old one had 30 teeth (one missing). So the mechanic tells me it has to be a problem in the transaxle.



So I am assuming that the transaxle will have to be pulled and a part installed (the mechanic said he couldn't see anything so he figures that whatever gear is supposed to be in there has worn right out). If so, I imagine this is going to be very expensive, especially just to fix the speedometer!

The question: Is it possible to replace whatever part is missing without taking the transaxle apart?

Oh and btw, my car is a 1994 Toyota Tercel with a manual transmission.

 

[VictorBravo]

I would check to see if the cable is loose on the transaxle. One way might be to see if the cable turns freely while the axle is in park. If so, it probably is broken at the transaxle attachment point.

You could also jack up the drive wheels and spin them to see if the cable turns. My guess is the cable is broken where it screws into the transaxle.

And if is the transaxle itself where the problem is, I'd wonder whether it is worth fixing. If you have a tachometer, you could convert that to mph with a little bit of math, depending on what gear you are in. I did that once with an old Toyota. If I remember right, 2.6 on the tach equaled 55mph in high gear, etc.

 

[Poimen]

I would check to see if the cable is loose on the transaxle. One way might be to see if the cable turns freely while the axle is in park. If so, it probably is broken at the transaxle attachment point.

You could also jack up the drive wheels and spin them to see if the cable turns. My guess is the cable is broken where it screws into the transaxle.

And if is the transaxle itself where the problem is, I'd wonder whether it is worth fixing. If you have a tachometer, you could convert that to mph with a little bit of math, depending on what gear you are in. I did that once with an old Toyota. If I remember right, 2.6 on the tach equaled 55mph in high gear, etc.

As I mentioned the cable is not broken.

I wonder too... that is why I am asking. But I think I may just have to put up with it instead of spending hundreds of dollars to get something just looked at, let alone to know what it is going to cost to fix it.

MPH? How about KPH?

 

[VictorBravo]

As I mentioned the cable is not broken.

I wonder too... that is why I am asking. But I think I may just have to put up with it instead of spending hundreds of dollars to get something just looked at, let alone to know what it is going to cost to fix it.

MPH? How about KPH?

I'm sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you meant the cable wasn't broken at the speedometer end.

As for KPH, well, you could do the math by learning the gear ratios and the circumfirence of your tires. Or, the simple thing, would be to follow someone at various speeds and mark your tachometer.

 

[bowhunter1961]

......if you can live with it, just hook up a tach. have someone follow you and take note of the rpms

 

[Poimen]

......if you can live with it, just hook up a tach. have someone follow you and take note of the rpms

It has a tachometer and that works but thanks for the suggestion.

 

[lv1nothr]

I wonder if these guys can figure out what's going on...not only do you get automotive advice, but always a good laugh!

Now, my husband's call is that there is a metal gear inside the trans axle that drives the plastic gear which is suppose to take the brunt of forces and is easier to replace, and so hubby thinks the metal gear is the problem. <<<I, Grace have no idea what any of that means>>>

Yes, it will cost $$ to replace! But you knew that already!

I hope you can get it fixed.

 

[Pergamum]

Poimen;

You are being afflicted for your sins, pray for repentance......


...then, maybe.... God will fix your car doohicky!






...maybe that whole "man's responsibility" thing also comes in here too...