Replacing speedo on a 1973 Malibu...

DorianL

DorianL

solid fixture here in the forum
Staff member
Here we go...

Exhaust header burned speedo cable... need to replace that... I tried getting at it from behind under the dash: you can forget that.

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A whole bunch of screws holding down the instrument bezel... it comes off easily enough. You need to pop off the window washer knob. The defogger can stay on... but there is a three pin connector behind that needs to be pried off carefully before you remove the bezel. The head lights knob just slides through.

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A few screws only hold down the speedo... Yes, that is in KPH.

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But RATS!!!! The cable socket is behind this plastic panel. A couple of nuts on studs hold the instrument cluster on there. You also have to unscrew and pull off a little clip that actuates the shifter needle. You can just see the thin silver line on the right of steering column.

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!970s "printed circuit" or ribbon cable. You really cannot get at the speedo cable from behind to unlock it so you need to cut the cable, say close to gas pedal, to pull the instrument cluster out.

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There's the speedo connector... right in the middle. As I say, I had to cut it from behind to pull the instrument cluster off... I put it back in just to show where it was. The cable comes through a large hole in the firewall (plugged) next to the the gas pedal. You have to remove the gas pedal.

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Hmm, I guess KPH was made in Canada. Note the circular tab the hold the speedo cable in place.

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I used some silicone tubing + duct tape to pull through the new cable... I selected a cable that was a coupla feet longer so I could route it well clear of my headers.

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Humpty-dumpty back together again.

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don,t forget to lube the new cable before inserting it very generously with moly assembly lube to help durability, I generally coat the inner cable and pump some into the outer sheath, if you forget to do so the needle tends to vibrate on the dash gauge and its slightly noisy in some applications

related info

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I always thought you should use graphite for lubrication on a speedometer cable. Any kind of petroleum base lube would get very thick at temperatures below freezing. Considering the length that would be a substantial drag.

My 85 Chevy Caprice had a two piece speedo cable that none of the auto supplies could find in there computer. We had to just look at the pictures in a paper catalog and match it up. It did break about 3 times in 125,000 miles, which seems like a lot to me.
 
I changed my speedometer cable like 1 month ago.

you use the same speedometer cable conector that my camaro do.
Except your is a pita to change OMG.
I dont have to remove gas pedal and cut the speedo cable with mine.
I just remove the dash bezel unplug w/washer cigar lighter and back windows heater(wich is relly easy to do on my model its a matter of seconds), remove the 4 cluster/gauge holding screw and slip my hand behind to unlock that speedo cable and 12 pin connector for that printed circuit, once there everything is already off the dash.... Just have to push the old cable out and the new in(wich was an easy task)

Mine was 2 piece(for cruise control models) and i changed for a 1 piece longer model. It came with moly grease "press bag".
When using the 2 piece on the camaro there is 1 model for the manuel and 1 for the auto transmission model and depending upon the years they are not routed the same on 2nd gen f-body camaro.

I routed mine outside/above the subframe then above the transmission. it do not hit the exhaust on my model and it dont get serious bend.
While it was off why not changing those gauge for a set from the SS chevelle instead of the standard style sliding needle speedometer :p

Oh yes, mine is also in KPH :). How is speed in your contry kph or mph? here its kph anyway so am happy its in kph.
The speedlimit on the highway is 100 KPH (62 mph)max. yes thats slow and everyone go between 110 and 130 kph anyway.

I see the msd knock alert on your picture. whats it fixed to? to the brake release? am thinking of putting mine into the glove box(as strange as it can sounds lol).
Now, one more question hehe.. do you have a stereo, i see none? anyway no problem with having none, i spend 600$ on a alpine and its always OFF when riding.. engine music is soo much better to me.
 
It's the small black tube mounted to the steering column. Digital read out.
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UPDATE:
The speedo works again, but the TCC lockup does not. Might be the solenoid.
Also A/F sensor readings are a bit weird. I suspect a poor ground.

It is KPH over here 120 max, up to 130 tolerated. But some areas you can sneak by going a bit faster.

The MSD Knock sensor is just velcroed under there... nothing special. Next to the brake release lever.

Nope - no stereo. Never cared to add the extra weight. ;-)
 
It's 0700 and I'm parked in front of the body shop in Brussels. Some minor rust spots to be mended. But since the combination valve is leaking at rear, I left at 0600 to beat the traffic. 20 miles.

Body shop can mess with this as I wait for new part.

Not sure I mentioned it. The TCC isn't working. I suspect the solenoid.
 
Oops - Torque Converter Clutch... saves about 200rpm of slip on highway cruise.
 
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