Speedometer problems with my 76 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**straight6chevyguy** · 08-06-2024, 04:00 PM

Hi everyone so this last Sunday I took my 76 C10 for its first trip to town in something like 18 years the drive went great accept my speedometer wasn't working correctly.
It seems to work ok at lower speeds but once you get to about 45 it seems to want to move around and I can't seem to get it to go above 50.
I removed the cable and lubed it and it seemed to turn smoothly but it made no difference one re installed. Anyone have any suggestions on what to check next?

**Corts60** · 08-06-2024, 04:38 PM

Did the cable seat in the cluster properly, I.e.: pushed in until it clicked?

**straight6chevyguy** · 08-07-2024, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corts60

Did the cable seat in the cluster properly, I.e.: pushed in until it clicked?

Yes, It is snapped in all the way as far as I can tell.
I checked it more than once just to be sure.

So after driving some more I have been able to get it above 50 but it's pretty bouncy it seems maybe it's reading something like 5 to 8 mph slow but it's accuracy seems to depend on what speed I'm driving. I also have noticed a "snapping sound" come from the speedo gauge on occasion seems like I noticed around 35 to 40 mph when I hear the snap my gauge needle will jump.
Im kinda thinking there's something wrong with my speedometer gauge?
What do you guys think?

Dead Parrot · 08-07-2024, 03:40 PM

A 48 year old mechanical device may need replacement or a bunch of TLC. Sadly, not many old school speedometer shops left.

The speedo in my 75 is also bouncy but is better at higher speeds. The odometer is on its 3rd cycle through the numbers. The bounciness has survived a couple of replacement cables. Pretty certain at this point it is the gauge.

**72malibu** · 08-11-2024, 03:00 PM

On the 75 I'm working on, the cluster is out for freshening up. I cleaned and lubed the old cable, connected it to the gauge, inserted the other end into a cordless drill, and spun it to check for smoothness. The needle fluctuated. So, I bought a new cable and tested it - no fluctuation. Maybe try a new cable.

**straight6chevyguy** · 08-17-2024, 12:54 PM

Thanks, I will probably try a new cable before changing out the gauge.

wbort27 · 08-18-2024, 09:55 PM

Mine was doing same thing had to replace gauge on my 75 good luck

08-06-2024, 04:00 PM	#1
straight6chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: yamhill OR Posts: 910	Speedometer problems with my 76 Hi everyone so this last Sunday I took my 76 C10 for its first trip to town in something like 18 years the drive went great accept my speedometer wasn't working correctly. It seems to work ok at lower speeds but once you get to about 45 it seems to want to move around and I can't seem to get it to go above 50. I removed the cable and lubed it and it seemed to turn smoothly but it made no difference one re installed. Anyone have any suggestions on what to check next? __________________ 1965 chevy c20 292 4speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=777601 1976 chevy c10 250 4speed http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=787037 1978 chevy c20 350 4speed 1998 chevy c1500 4.3L 5speed 2002 Chevy s10 4.3L auto 4x4 Plus a Mercury & some Fords... To many projects!

08-06-2024, 04:38 PM	#2
Corts60 Just here to tinker Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Holland, MI Posts: 3,697	Re: Speedometer problems with my 76 Did the cable seat in the cluster properly, I.e.: pushed in until it clicked? __________________ 78 C10 SWB Diesel #1 (wrecked)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1978+silverado 78 C10 SWB Diesel #2 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=650751 60 GMC Suburban (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=445526 60 GMC 1000 (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=298235 67 GMC 1500 (sold) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=803695 73 Chevy C20(Daily)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=852767 86 Suburban(summer unit) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=810697 88 Suburban 4x4(sold)

08-07-2024, 03:40 PM	#4
Dead Parrot Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 2,611	Re: Speedometer problems with my 76 A 48 year old mechanical device may need replacement or a bunch of TLC. Sadly, not many old school speedometer shops left. The speedo in my 75 is also bouncy but is better at higher speeds. The odometer is on its 3rd cycle through the numbers. The bounciness has survived a couple of replacement cables. Pretty certain at this point it is the gauge.

08-11-2024, 03:00 PM	#5
72malibu Active Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Gaithersburg, MD Posts: 135	Re: Speedometer problems with my 76 On the 75 I'm working on, the cluster is out for freshening up. I cleaned and lubed the old cable, connected it to the gauge, inserted the other end into a cordless drill, and spun it to check for smoothness. The needle fluctuated. So, I bought a new cable and tested it - no fluctuation. Maybe try a new cable.

08-17-2024, 12:54 PM	#6
straight6chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: yamhill OR Posts: 910	Re: Speedometer problems with my 76 Thanks, I will probably try a new cable before changing out the gauge. __________________ 1965 chevy c20 292 4speed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=777601 1976 chevy c10 250 4speed http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=787037 1978 chevy c20 350 4speed 1998 chevy c1500 4.3L 5speed 2002 Chevy s10 4.3L auto 4x4 Plus a Mercury & some Fords... To many projects!

08-18-2024, 09:55 PM	#7
wbort27 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: portage michigan Posts: 50	Re: Speedometer problems with my 76 Mine was doing same thing had to replace gauge on my 75 good luck

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