i am about to purchase an 1987 carbed orion....the speedo doesnt work and id like to fix it...does anyone know the best way to do this? (fixing/replacing) and help would be very much appreciated

thanks, nick

 

Disconnect the speedo drive from the gearbox. Get someone to watch the clocks whilst you spin the cable with your fingers. If it spins, then either the speedo drive in the 'box is dead or the diff is about to go through the casing. If the speedo does not move when you spin the cable, the cable is broken.

 

ah thanks dude! so is the wiring expensive and where can i obtain it? the diff will be fine the car has only done 36000 miles or so

the miles do not count up either...this might help source the problem

thanks for your time ian

 

Make sure it IS the speedo cable as IAN pointed out, as otherwise as he says it could well be the diff and will be EXPENSIVE if it is.
No drive to the speedo will stop the milometre also as it uses the same feed inside the speedo head.
Diff problems are NOT uncommon on these.
tabetha

 

i nearly always find when the speedo goes off the gearbox is on its way out

 

isnt this some thing to do with the worm gear droping in to the diff

 

Don't be silly this is a job for the ol' lump hammer

 

thanks tabetha....is there any way i can notice any differences in the driving? would the car drive differently>? ive given it a test drive and it seems tip top...