Speedo Cable

[D87 SMW]

I cannot quite pull tghe clocks out far enough to see the connection for the speedo cable, so how do I do it by feel?

BTW: I cannot puish the cable in thru the bulkhead for extra room - it won't go!

[Mat_C]

What are you trying to do, remove or re-fit?

[D87 SMW]

Originally posted by Mat_C
What are you trying to do, remove or re-fit?

Remove. Then fit another set of clocks.

:confused: :banghead: :rage: :mad: :o :censored:

[Mat_C]

Once you've removed the outer cowling and unscrewed the the instrument pack, you need to pull it out a bit and unclip the two electrical connections at the top. Then just give the pack a tug (or you could tug at the cable with someone holding the pack). Don't be too brutal and it should all be fine ;)

[D87 SMW]

Have pulled off the electrical connections, but they unit will not come out far enough on the right for me to see the speedo cable connection. If I put my arm round the back of the unit (from the left) I can feel the connector, with some sort of clip on it. I have tried to undo this clip, but cannot do it.

How is it unclipped? Does it turn and pull off or something?

:confused:

[Mat_C]

I've seen a couple of different types of connector so can't be sure, but I think you squeeze it (eg 12 and 6 o'clock). I've used force to remove it with success. I've done this many times without damaging anyting - perhaps I'm lucky!

[D87 SMW]

Good news: I got the speedo cable off - thanks Mat_C! :thumbup:

Bad news: I can't get the :censored:ing clock unit out of the dashboard!!! :rage: :rage: :rage: :banghead: :mad:

[Rich]

There should be a flat spot on it. What you need to do, is push this bit, so the other side moves, and the plastic lug will come free of the grove in the bit that sticks out the back of the speedo.

It will be clearer when you see when its off I am afraid, just get your hand round the back, and try pushing different parts of the plastic clip until it moves and you can pull it off.

When its off you will see the flat spot, and theres an arrow on it, but thats not much help when you cant see it in the car.

To put it back, just push it in until it clicks in, sometimes a bit of twisted is needed as the flat spot on the pin has to line up with the flat in the speedo.

HTH, Rich

[Rich]

Was typing that while you posted it seems!

You can get it out, but its a bit fiddaly, try taking off the steering column cowl, this sometimes helps, then its just a lot of jiggery pokery to get it out the gap, then out from behind the steering wheel, you dont need to but it may be worth taking the steering wheel off too. Be careful of the metal plate on the top, this has a habit of scraping and gouging anything it touches!

Rich

[D87 SMW]

After a bit of jeh jeh jiggling, the old unit is out! I took the metal plate off the top of it (the part that hold it in at the top) and it just fell out! :D

Had to take the steering wheel off in order to get the new unit in, but all is sorted now.

Thanks for your replies chaps.

PS: I put a couple of small dents in the dashboard when I got angry and started bashing it. :banghead: :o

[talkingcars]

The speedo cable is hard to release for the first time, it gets easier every time.

[Simon]

Yes the clocks can be a pain to extract from the dash, for next time tilt the clock binnacle a bit and manoevre it sideways to the left (nearside) and it'll slide out without and need to remove the steering wheel. Never get stressed with any job and don't force it.

[MGTurbo]

Originally posted by Simon
Never get stressed with any job and don't force it.

Easy said than done Simon .

[Simon]

Yes, agreed!:)