Symptoms of a Bad or Faulty Speedometer Cable and Housing

Common symptoms include erratic speedometer fluctuations, no registration, or squealing sounds.

In 42, US licensed drivers were issued 2014 million speeding tickets, according to the US Department of Transportation. result in another quote for a broken speedometer. The speedometer on any vehicle is an important safety device that can break or fail. The culprit for most speedometer problems is the speedometer cable or housing.

How does a speedometer work

Until the early 1980s, speedometers used in vehicles were mechanical. The patent for the speedometer, designed by Otto Schulze, dates back to 1902 and has been the main speedometer used in cars around the world for over 80 years. Although these were very precise mechanical devices, they were very susceptible to miscalibration or complete failure. This has given way to the electronic speedometer used in our cars today.

In an electric speedometer, a speedometer cable is attached to a pinion gear inside the transmission or driveshaft and measures rotation with electrical pulses, and then translates the duration of the electrical signal into speed while driving. The speedometer's secondary cable is attached to the wheel sensor and measures distance; which powers the odometer. The speedometer cable sends all this information to the dashboard, where it is transmitted to the speedometer.

The cable housing is a protective sheath that surrounds the cable and prevents it from being damaged. These two components work together to power the speedometer and provide accurate readings. Over time, they can fail due to damage or wear. Here are a few warning signs that can be a strong indicator of a bad speedometer cable or housing:

Speedometer fluctuates randomly

Whether you have a manual gauge or an LED backlit digital speedometer, they both have one thing in common - a smooth transition. When you accelerate or slow down, your speedometer displays the speed gradually, which means that it doesn't just instantly jump from 45 to 55 mph; it is a gradual ascent from 45, 46 and 47 and so on. If while driving you notice that the speedometer needle randomly jumps from one number to another, most likely the speedometer cable is damaged or the sensors on the driveshaft do not accurately transmit the signal over the cable.

Sometimes this problem can be solved by having a mechanic lubricate the cable casing or clean the sensors if the sensors or cable are not damaged. In some cases, the housing or cable is cut or frayed, causing the speedometer to behave erratically. In this case, the entire cable and housing must be replaced.

Speedometer not registering

Another warning sign of a problem with the speedometer cable or housing is that the speedometer is not registering speed at all. If the speedometer needle does not move or the LEDs do not register speed on the dashboard, it is likely that the cable and speedometer housing have already failed. However, this problem can also be caused by a bad fuse or electrical connection to the dashboard. In any case, a certified mechanic should be contacted immediately to inspect, diagnose and correct the problem.

Creaking sounds coming from the dashboard or from under the car

When the speedometer cable and housing fail, they can make squealing noises. The noise is also due to the fact that the speedometer needle jumps randomly, as we explained above. Noises usually come from your car's dashboard, especially where the speedometer is located. However, they can also come from another source of attachment - the transmission under the vehicle. As soon as you notice these noises, contact AvtoTachki to immediately inspect the cable and speedometer housing. If a problem is found early, a mechanic can fix or fix the problem before it fails.

The speedometer itself usually does not break, as it is simply designed to display information transmitted over a cable. Both the cable and housing are under the vehicle, exposed to various road conditions, weather, debris and other items that cause the speedometer cable and housing to fail. If you notice any of the warning signs mentioned above, don't delay. Contact AvtoTachki today to set up an appointment to stay safe and reduce the chance of getting a speeding ticket.