speedometer showing 5 mph when stopped

[TerryVB]

Hey All. My speedo bounces erratically which would suggest the cable is bad. However, when stopped, the speedo reads about 5mph. This seems to suggest the unit itself has an issue. Has anyone else experience this?

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Yes, and a "jerky" cable is often the cause. It could also be that the lubrication is dried out, so you might try relubricating the inner metal cable before getting a whole new cable. I have found it easier to remove the inner cable from the bottom of the car (at the speedometer drive connection on the rear of the transmission) rather than by removing the instrument cluster. Remove that inner core, lubricate with lithium grease or the like, and reinsert. You may have to turn that inner cable back and forth a bit until it seats in the speedometer housing receptacle like it should, before reconnecting to the transmission.

As for reading 5 MPH when the car's not moving? Could be a bad speedometer (which could also cause the jerking). There should be a tiny little pin that the end of the speedometer needle rests on at 0 MPH. This pin can be very hard to see in low light. If the speedometer needle isn't resting on that pin when the car isn't moving, then the speedometer likely has an issue.

-Bryan

[chrisg]

I think they all zero out at some number between zero & 10 mph. I wouldn't take that as a factor to indicate a speedometer. Remember, these are Italian cars. Who cares what your speed is when it is so low?

[SteinOnkel]

Mine does this too, but the needle is resting on the tiny pin. Very hard to see without a good flashlight, but it's there.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Chris and Steiny, you are right. I looked at my two cars and the 3 extra speedometers that I have in my parts bin, and all of them read about 5 MPH when the speedometer needle is resting on that pin. So, I think this is completely normal although I have no idea why they were designed this way. One of the joys of Fiat ownership, and at no extra cost!

-Bryan

[TerryVB]

Thanks all. It sounds like it's a cable issue. I never paid attention to the speedo reading when stopped until the needle started to jerk around.

[RRoller123]

Gets a faster 0-60mph time......

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Gets a faster 0-60mph time......

I like the way you think, Roller!

For TerryVB: If you don't want to mess around under the car, you can also loosen the 4 screws that hold the instrument cluster panel in place, and if you're dexterous, get you hand in there enough to loosen the speedometer cable connection on the back of the speedometer. If you do that, you can withdraw the inner solid core cable a bit, shoot some lithium spray lubricant down the cable hole, work it all around, put it back together, and see if that helps. Sometimes this works wonders, and sometimes not. Perhaps worth a try.

-Bryan

[geospider]

Working on this now. Used Mahogany to redo the "wood" panels.
the speedo did not go back together. looking at the plastic connection: was clearly broken. there was even a hose clamp around part of it. have a new one now. didn't know the new inner cable would slide out of the outer sleeve. now to figure out which way it goes back in. there is a plastic piece that hold one end in place.
will see how old one comes out.
not that concerned with my speed. kinda know by the tach.

geo

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I have several extra speedometers, Geo, if that would help you out. I don't have any extra speedometer cables.

-Bryan

[geospider]

thanks
I now have a new cable ($20). no reason to think my speedo doesnt work. worked before it came apart and initially "blipped" in first 20 ft. clearly not engaged.
will work on it this weekend. I am guessing the plastic "stop" piece is on tranny end.
we will see when i pull old one out