Speedo with clip on cable - 1977 1850HL

[Bumpa]

Since I had the instrument panel out to change bulbs, the speedo drive keeps coming unplugged from the instrument. I'm driving along quite nicely then suddenly the speedo needle falls to zero. If I stop and reach up behind the panel I can just shove the cable back into the gauge and all is well again - for a while. I know the cable is meant to clip onto the boss on the instrument, but mine seems not to lock into place, even though the white plastic fitting looks OK and has the little lug and trigger thing that should hold it. Any ideas?

[xvivalve]

The triggers can fatigue; see if it still has resistance...

[dollyman]

I know it means pulling the dash out again Mike, but a cable tie works to keep the clip in place. Just don't do it to tight and break it.

Tony.

[Carledo]

I have a spare (used but good condition) cable of that type you can have for a fiver to cover postage. I got it by mistake, thinking I had that style of speedo and found out too late i'd been looking at the wrong one!

Steve

[Bumpa]

Thanks Steve. Perversely I have been to Edinburgh and back, a round trip of 150 miles, and it has worked the whole time. I'm a great believer in not touching things that work, so I'll keep your offer on the back burner.

Tony, I don't know how you would put a tie round the clip. The cable isn't long enough to pull the panel out far enough to put my hand at the back of the speedo. I have to get the panel almost in place, then shove my hand up from the right side of the steering column to try and connect one to t'other. There is no way I could manoevre a cable tie in there. How do you do it?

[dollyman]

Hi Mike, put the cable tie on the cable first, then when the cable is on the speedo pull to finish off tightning it. You can also hold the cable tie with a bit of tape if it slides down the cable.

Tony.