Anyone else have a "bouncy speedometer?

crazypete · 06-06-2003, 12:35 PM

My friends love it. From first to 3rd gear, the needle will "bounce" up and down about a center point (so you can tell how fast you're going, but not directly). When you hit fourth, it will stop bouncing and become solid. Same in fifth. Now this happened before and after I changed the driven gear (that plastic thing) for my gear swap. What do you think I'm looking at?

GhettoPop · 06-06-2003, 12:47 PM

mine doesn't bounce, it just makes a squeaking noise that increase in frequency with speed, it comes and goes and is ANNOYING AS HELL!

ChunkFunky · 06-06-2003, 01:41 PM

I'm goign to GUESS the cable is getting old and cruddy and could just be binding up a bit... I hate to tell you to get a new cable, seems like alot of work if it's not the problem. maybe someone else will knwo for sure
=-as

jimberg · 06-06-2003, 04:17 PM

Mine used to squeek, then it started to bounce. I replaced the cable and it did nothing so I ordered an FMS 160mph speedometer from PPI. It should be here next week.

Johnny Fort · 06-06-2003, 08:21 PM

Mine bounces also. Quite violently around 20-30 mph I might add. It might be that the speedo gear is getting chewed up a little.

jimberg · 06-06-2003, 08:57 PM

I think it's probably a gear inside the speedometer since mine bounced before I changed my cable and driven gear in the tranny.

Mountain Main · 06-06-2003, 11:04 PM

Mine worked fine untill I coiled it up when working on the grommit that goes into the fire wall. My speedo does the same that your car does. I think I crimped it when I was pulling it up to the engine compartment. I should have done it with a little more finess. It could be the gear but I don't think so.

Mountain Main

TMASTER · 06-07-2003, 09:52 PM

mine bounces when im in low speeds only under 20mph probably needs something! haha im gonna wait a while.

crazypete · 06-08-2003, 01:16 PM

Thanks for all the replies.

I just got back from 3 days of driving around in maine and I noticed that it bounces in every gear sometimes (after lots of stop and go) and sometimes is solid in every gear.

Based on what people said, it's probably the gear in the speedometer. I'll WD40 it from the back and let you all know how that turns out. Gonna try to pour some silicone down the cable housing too.

shadow · 06-08-2003, 01:47 PM

Go to the parts store and get some speedometer cable lube. Pull the cable out and lube the hell out of it. This will get rid of both squeeking and jerky speedos.

Scrapla · 06-09-2003, 01:58 AM

My bounces under 20mph but no noises

Coupe50h · 06-09-2003, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shadow
Go to the parts store and get some speedometer cable lube. Pull the cable out and lube the hell out of it. This will get rid of both squeeking and jerky speedos.

Yea i can see the guys at autozone now, with a lost look on their face, at least the idiots down here

oh yea, and my speedo does this too, but i know i could'nt get that pin back on the cable last time i had the t-5 out.......

DemonGT · 06-09-2003, 07:18 AM

you guys have it easy...mine bounces violently...and dose the whole "clickclickclick" all the time...when doing 70 on the interstate it will peg out at 140

Rosco · 06-11-2003, 03:19 PM

Same problem here. Anything above 20 mph it'll start to shake a little..it'll smooth out at 60....then anything above 60 it's fine. And then there is the slow down jump. IF i start to slowdown from about 45 to a stop, the needle looks like it wants to break right out of the casing. It goes from 0 to 140 and back and forth and back and forth. Then when i hit about 8mph it calms right down.
I think it's about 5 mph to high anyways...Looking at changing the speedo cable itself...or do u think lubing it would fix that as well?

JaxTheDJ · 06-11-2003, 04:57 PM

Save the hassle and find a Motorcycle shop and ask for the pressurized cable lube kit most all sell,pull the gear at the tranny and spray it UP the cable,stopped my bouncing speedo.

srv1 · 06-11-2003, 09:28 PM

I have worked on many Ford vehicles. I have replaced, lubed or what have you to correct these conditions. Nine out of ten times it is the speedometer head unit. Ford has many problems with the bouncing speedo. Mine does it also at low speeds. I believe it is one of the counterweights that came loose. I have a 160 speedo i have yet to put in. I bought it used and it is getting calibrated by the place that calibrates the NY State Police vehicles.

This is a common problem on Fords. The only correction I know of is getting a new one or getting it repaired.

James

Hethj7 · 06-11-2003, 09:47 PM

Mine bounces just slightly at lower speeds. When I got my white face gauges installed, the speedometer shop that did it said they see a lot of bouncing speedos on Fords. They said something about it being caused because of the framing (or something to that effect) behind the needle being slightly bent.

jimberg · 06-11-2003, 10:54 PM

srv1, my 160mph arrived today. I can't wait to put it in. I'll let you guys know if the bouncing goes away.

06-06-2003, 12:35 PM	#1
crazypete Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 592	Anyone else have a "bouncy speedometer? My friends love it. From first to 3rd gear, the needle will "bounce" up and down about a center point (so you can tell how fast you're going, but not directly). When you hit fourth, it will stop bouncing and become solid. Same in fifth. Now this happened before and after I changed the driven gear (that plastic thing) for my gear swap. What do you think I'm looking at? __________________ 91 GT Carb conversion, holley 600 double pumper, edelbrock performer intake, FMS "C" drop springs, march 1000 underdrive pullies, crane 1.7 roller rockers, GT-40P headers, bassani x pipe, american thunder catback, FMS 4.56's, msd aL6, trunkmount battery, A/C eliminator kit, 3000 stall tci streetfighter, AOD with transgo kit, A+ servo, 300M hardened lockup shaft, kevlar bands and 28,000 gvw trans cooler, 3 core radiator, 300 lbs stripped with a full interior

06-06-2003, 01:41 PM	#3
ChunkFunky Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Tustin, CA Posts: 465	I'm goign to GUESS the cable is getting old and cruddy and could just be binding up a bit... I hate to tell you to get a new cable, seems like alot of work if it's not the problem. maybe someone else will knwo for sure =-as __________________ '89 GT Convertible: TFS TW Heads, TFS Street Intake, TFS Stage 1 Cam, FMS 1.6 RRs, 24# Injectors, Pro-M 75mm MAF, No Name CAI, 3.73s, O/R H-Pipe, FlowMasters, AOD w/ Trans-Go Shift Kit

06-06-2003, 04:17 PM	#4
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	Mine used to squeek, then it started to bounce. I replaced the cable and it did nothing so I ordered an FMS 160mph speedometer from PPI. It should be here next week. __________________ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

06-06-2003, 08:21 PM	#5
Johnny Fort Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Naperville, Illinois, USA Posts: 35	Mine bounces also. Quite violently around 20-30 mph I might add. It might be that the speedo gear is getting chewed up a little. __________________ '89 GT- Hurst- 3.55's- MM's subs- 144K miles- 14.31@97.5

06-06-2003, 08:57 PM	#6
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	I think it's probably a gear inside the speedometer since mine bounced before I changed my cable and driven gear in the tranny. __________________ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

06-06-2003, 12:47 PM	#2
GhettoPop Gimme a Drink! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 694	mine doesn't bounce, it just makes a squeaking noise that increase in frequency with speed, it comes and goes and is ANNOYING AS HELL!

06-06-2003, 11:04 PM	#7
Mountain Main Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Minturn, CO 81645 Posts: 109	My opinion Mine worked fine untill I coiled it up when working on the grommit that goes into the fire wall. My speedo does the same that your car does. I think I crimped it when I was pulling it up to the engine compartment. I should have done it with a little more finess. It could be the gear but I don't think so. Mountain Main

06-07-2003, 09:52 PM	#8
TMASTER Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: TEXAS Posts: 161	bounce mine bounces when im in low speeds only under 20mph probably needs something! haha im gonna wait a while.

06-08-2003, 01:16 PM	#9
crazypete Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Boston Posts: 592	Thanks for all the replies. I just got back from 3 days of driving around in maine and I noticed that it bounces in every gear sometimes (after lots of stop and go) and sometimes is solid in every gear. Based on what people said, it's probably the gear in the speedometer. I'll WD40 it from the back and let you all know how that turns out. Gonna try to pour some silicone down the cable housing too. __________________ 91 GT Carb conversion, holley 600 double pumper, edelbrock performer intake, FMS "C" drop springs, march 1000 underdrive pullies, crane 1.7 roller rockers, GT-40P headers, bassani x pipe, american thunder catback, FMS 4.56's, msd aL6, trunkmount battery, A/C eliminator kit, 3000 stall tci streetfighter, AOD with transgo kit, A+ servo, 300M hardened lockup shaft, kevlar bands and 28,000 gvw trans cooler, 3 core radiator, 300 lbs stripped with a full interior

06-08-2003, 01:47 PM	#10
shadow Registered Member Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: DFW Posts: 42	Go to the parts store and get some speedometer cable lube. Pull the cable out and lube the hell out of it. This will get rid of both squeeking and jerky speedos.

06-09-2003, 01:58 AM	#11
Scrapla Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 532	My bounces under 20mph but no noises __________________ 90gt 347 and some bolt ons :-) RICE HATERS MEMBER #73

06-09-2003, 07:18 AM	#13
DemonGT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 879	you guys have it easy...mine bounces violently...and dose the whole "clickclickclick" all the time...when doing 70 on the interstate it will peg out at 140 __________________ '91 GT,410W,10.5 to 1 comp,Victor Jr. heads,Victor 5.8 intake,FTI cam,Crane retro fit lifters,Scorpian 1.6 RR's,Melling HV oil pump,MSD distro.,Canton oil pan,FMS flywheel,Romac balancer,FMS timing chain,Accufab 90mm TB,C&L 76mm maf, 42lbers,HD clutch,K&N air filter,Mac long tubes,Pro dumps,powerchamber,FMS 9mm wires,180 thermostat,Ford Racing gauges,5inch Tach,centerline convo pro's,nitto DR's,Pro3i lower control arms,50/50 shocks,3.55 gears,TFS HD diff. cover Next year: Tremec TKO,Spec stage 3 clutch,alum driveshaft,complete fuel system www.angelfire.com/linux/demondan

06-11-2003, 03:19 PM	#14
Rosco Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Vestal, NY Posts: 307	Same problem here. Anything above 20 mph it'll start to shake a little..it'll smooth out at 60....then anything above 60 it's fine. And then there is the slow down jump. IF i start to slowdown from about 45 to a stop, the needle looks like it wants to break right out of the casing. It goes from 0 to 140 and back and forth and back and forth. Then when i hit about 8mph it calms right down. I think it's about 5 mph to high anyways...Looking at changing the speedo cable itself...or do u think lubing it would fix that as well? __________________ 1989 Mustang 5.0 Conversion, Full Saleen ground effects and spoiler, '94 saleen decal set, '93 Saleen Seats, Black interior from a '93, Steeda quadrant, smog pump delete, a/c delete, Steeda Tri-Ax shifter, '97 rear differential, aluminum driveshaft, 5 lug conversion, '97 rear disc brakes, southside upper and lower control arms, '99 GT Anniversary wheels, flowtech longtubes, flowtech offroad H-pipe, saleen lowering springs, kyb shocks, caster/camber plates

06-11-2003, 04:57 PM	#15
JaxTheDJ Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Jacksonville,Fla. Posts: 134	Save the hassle and find a Motorcycle shop and ask for the pressurized cable lube kit most all sell,pull the gear at the tranny and spray it UP the cable,stopped my bouncing speedo. __________________ Jack 1989 Mustang LX: Converted to Carb.650 AED Holley DP,Weiand Stealth Intake,Edelbrock Performer RPM Aluminum Heads,Hooker Super Comps, Ground Pounder Uppers and Lowers,Moroso Drag Springs,NEW COMP Xtreme Energy Cam and 1.6 RR. ,a few other goodies.*** New 1/4 times-12.50 1987 SC GT ( fast as hell) 2001 Powerstroke Tow Vehicle 1989 Coupe. Sometimes when you cry,no one sees your tears.......... Sometimes when you are happy,no one sees your smile......... But,FART just ONE time..........

06-11-2003, 09:28 PM	#16
srv1 Get down..... Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Room 103 Posts: 2,095	I have worked on many Ford vehicles. I have replaced, lubed or what have you to correct these conditions. Nine out of ten times it is the speedometer head unit. Ford has many problems with the bouncing speedo. Mine does it also at low speeds. I believe it is one of the counterweights that came loose. I have a 160 speedo i have yet to put in. I bought it used and it is getting calibrated by the place that calibrates the NY State Police vehicles. This is a common problem on Fords. The only correction I know of is getting a new one or getting it repaired. James __________________ Cobra brakes are on! Finally..... ------------------------------------------------

06-11-2003, 09:47 PM	#17
Hethj7 Mizzou Tigers Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: weston, MO United States Posts: 1,455	Mine bounces just slightly at lower speeds. When I got my white face gauges installed, the speedometer shop that did it said they see a lot of bouncing speedos on Fords. They said something about it being caused because of the framing (or something to that effect) behind the needle being slightly bent. __________________ 2006 Mustang GT 1990 LX GT-40 motor 262 horsepower, 307ft-lbs (sold but forever loved) 1998 Contour SVT Rice Haters Club Member #244

06-11-2003, 10:54 PM	#18
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	srv1, my 160mph arrived today. I can't wait to put it in. I'll let you guys know if the bouncing goes away. __________________ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

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