Speedo......and not what you wear!!

[pfuetz70]

Hey guys and gals!! My 1989 FJ just has 36,000 kms on it but when I bought it, it did have a problem with the speedo bouncing around alot. I regreaesed the cable and really to no avail. I have now replaced the cable but have not taken out since that. Anybody know what this might be and if this is a problem on this year of FJ's? Some people say it is the sending unit and some others say it is the head assembly. Either way I am not too happy about as this is very distracting while driving.
Please help
Dave

[Arnie]

Dave,

You've perfectly described what happens when the damping oil (dimethicone) leaks out of the speedo head.
There is a complete write up on how to fix this in the files section.

Cheers and welcome,
Arnie

[Scooterbob]

Dave,

You've perfectly described what happens when the damping oil (dimethicone) leaks out of the speedo head.
There is a complete write up on how to fix this in the files section.

Cheers and welcome,
Arnie

Link?  I did a quick search and didn't see it.... Maybe I'm just blind or 

[andyb]

Normally a tach problem, rather than a speedo problem.  Heavy grease on the speedo cable has always worked for me to fix a bouncing speedo.  As for the search function:

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=1032.0
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=759.0

There's more out there about fixing a bouncing tach, if you find that relevant.

[Arnie]

Normally a tach problem, rather than a speedo problem.  Heavy grease on the speedo cable has always worked for me to fix a bouncing speedo.  As for the search function:

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=1032.0
http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=759.0

There's more out there about fixing a bouncing tach, if you find that relevant.

Thanks AndyB,

I'd just started looking for it and you provide exactly the ref.

Cheers,
Arnie

[pfuetz70]

Dave,

You've perfectly described what happens when the damping oil (dimethicone) leaks out of the speedo head.
There is a complete write up on how to fix this in the files section.

Cheers and welcome,
Arnie

Well guys thanks although I did not find the link regarding the damping oil or how to replace that in the speedo head. Since last post I took my bike out after the replacement of the cable and lubing of areas around the head with white lithium grease. It seemed great for the first 5 miles but then it went crazy on me, like it blew up and now it is stuck at 40 mph. I dont know what to do yet the odometer still is clicking along along with the trip meter. Seems to me that this CANT be the sending unit or the cable as these too would stop working. I am so frustrated and dont know what to do next. HELP!
Thanks for your responses so far.
Dave

[fj1289]

Dave,

sounds like the speedo broke internally.  The odometer and trip meter run off a series of brass worm gears and plastic spur gears.  The speedo has a "saucer and bowl"? arrangement that appears to not physically touch - maybe magenetism? that turns the speedo needle shaft against a very finely coiled spring.  Looks like the easiest fix is either another gauge cluster or fit another speedo unit into yours. 

This is the only case where I could endorse using another man's speedo!

Chris

[FJmonkey]

The speedo has a "saucer and bowl"? arrangement that appears to not physically touch - maybe magenetism?

It does use magnetisim, rare earth magnets, when used in a spinning arrangement like this, has more pull as the spinning gets faster. So it pulls harder twisting against the coil spring allowing the needle to rotate. The failure is likely a worn bushing allowing a shaft to bounce around while it is trying to spin.  I did some internet searches on speedo repair and made many phone calls and emails. I found two different repair shops that said they could fix it. I went digging through my email records and could not find them. That really bugs me because I would not toss that kind of info after working so hard for it. I think one place was in San Diego CA and the other in Texas. The best of luck if you choose to search. Next time I find info like this I will post it here for everyone's benefit (and not lose it).   

[pfuetz70]

Thanks again guys, I will try and either find another used speedo.. or buy a new one. Kelowna, BC, Canada does not have a repair shop like this but I will continue to look. Thanks.