I can't get the speedo on my coupe to work. I have an MG Metro 1275 engine and possibly Triumph Smiths speedo?
It's the usual speedo found in coupes of this age- mid 1980's.
If I spin the cable by hand at the gearbox end of things the needle moves so I know the speedo and cable are working. Is it just a question of trial and error removing and refitting, hoping the cable will seat properly in the drive, or is the drive incompatible with the cable?
As usual I can't actually see what I'm doing as access to it is tight.
Any advice welcome as always.

Ed

Disconnect the cable at the speedo end and see if it rotates if you push the car along. This will tell you if the drive gears in the gearbox are working.

I'm certain that the cable is not turning whilst on the move. Are there different types of gear and cable or are they a universal size/fit..? I am wondering this because the cable originally connected to an older A series engine and has not worked since swapping over to a later A+ lump.

Ed

Older A series only had one set of speedo drive gears with the speedos altered to suit, later there were different combinations of gears to suit the speedos Don't know when the change point was but i'm pretty sure A+ are all the later type.

Thanks Tim, so it could be that the cable is for an older drive and not compatible with the one in the A+...?

The square ends on the cable are fairly standard. Maybe it's just not locating correctly or maybe the cable or drive peg have rounded off?

Mmm... my cable doesn't appear to be square, more sort of elyptical... Presumably worn.
What cable do I need to buy if I decide to try a replacement...?

The drive gear in the gearbox of the Minis all used the same connection to the cable. I suspect what Tim is talking about is the ratios which you will need to consider to get it reading right but wouldn't stop it from reading at all.

The eliptical end of the cable should work OK as it should catch corner to corner in the square of the drive. What I suspect has happened is that the square in the drive gear of the gearbox has split and it's opened up enough to stop it from gripping the cable.

Next to where the cable goes into the box and in the same plane is a small bolt (1/4UNF from memory so a 3/8AF socket). Pull it out and the housing that the cable screws onto will pull off. It usually brings the drive cog with it but watch is it doesn't as there is an oil seal and a spacer that can drop out and end up rolling around in the grit on the floor and you then wonder which way they came out. Once the drive cog is out look at the square in the end for splits and you can even screw the cable back onto the housing and check that the two do engage.

If that is the problem then squeezing it closed will make it work again for a while but a new one is needed and before you order do your sums to make sure the speedo will read corrrectly after by buying the right one.

Iain

Ian, that's magic- thankyou. I will investigate further.

Ed

I have Coupe cables in stock if you need one.

Whats the price of a cable?

Cheers, Alex

Hi Alex

The cables are old stock(ex Primo) at
old price of £24 + vat + postage = £30.95.
Cheque to "SPECIALIST ENGINEERING"
as below. Don't forget to include your
address.
Cheers
Alan