Speedo quit working

[DMC 2692]

So went for a drive tonight and noticed the speedometer isn't working. I'm assuming the problem is the angle drive but I haven't looked at it yet. My question is how hard is this part to replace. I'm a new owner (about a month) so I'm not familiar with the whole car yet. Also, is there anything other than the angle drive that could cause this issue?

[David T]

So went for a drive tonight and noticed the speedometer isn't working. I'm assuming the problem is the angle drive but I haven't looked at it yet. My question is how hard is this part to replace. I'm a new owner (about a month) so I'm not familiar with the whole car yet. Also, is there anything other than the angle drive that could cause this issue?

It could be the angle drive but first check the plastic disc you will see when you remove the front, left wheel (if it is there!). The square cable fits into the square hole in the plastic drive disc and if that hole gets rounded it won't turn the cable.

[DMC 2692]

Okay I'll give that a look. The disc was there last week when I had the wheel off to replace the steering shaft and u joints. The speedo did work Sunday when I drove the car. Is it possible that because it's about 20 degrees here that the cable is just binding?

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[sdg3205]

Put a drill on to the angel drive and run it forward as if the tire was doing the work. Have a buddy watch the speedo. If it works then the dust shield is either spinning on the hub or the square has rounded out. If so, put some electrical tape on the inner lip of the shield and cut some tin from a soda can to fit into the square of the shield to prevent the drive from spinning in the hole.

If the speedo doesn't move, obviously the problem lies upstream. Move to the lower speedo cable and check again.

[davidc89]

Go by the foot pedals inside the car to the lambda box and unhook the lower speedometer cable from it. Jack up the front left wheel and spin it. Go inside the car and see if the cable is spinning. If it is, unhook the upper cable from the lambda box and spin the inside of the cable. If that is working your speedometer will move as you are spinning it. If both of those work, your problem is in the lambda box. If the lower cable doesn't spin, it could be an angle drive or cable issue.

[DMC 2692]

Okay so here's what I did. I unhooked the lower cable from the lambda box and removed the front tire and removed the plastic disc. The disc looks fine so I put a drill on the shaft and spun it. I watched the end of the cable and it didn't spin. So I guess that means the angle drive is bad? Looks like a pretty easy part to change I'm guessing?

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[davidc89]

My suggestion would be to buy the kit that comes with the angle drive, plastic cap, and lower cable. If you end up going that route.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

My suggestion would be to buy the kit that comes with the angle drive, plastic cap, and lower cable. If you end up going that route.

Yes make sure you request the Chinese (Hervey) or Indian (DMCH) version!:)
I prefer our rebuilt Smith's units with a bulletproof American made adapter cup and lower cable but who buys American anymore? And no sorry they're not on our site as I can't keep up with demand as it is.
Rob

[BladeBronson]

I recently did the angle drive on my car and found this video to be really helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITPF5SDM0Z0. This big revelation for me was using a floor jack to start the nut turning.

I used DMC's angle drive (I bought it from DMC CA and it has the removable shaft and no lubrication screw). I noticed when I was finished that my speedo is reading fast (when I'm driving 40 MPH, the speedo shows a few MPH higher - based on those digital "you should slow down" speed limit signs). I read that there was a problem with gear ratios with John Hervey's unit, but DMC's should be correct. Do DeLoreans just tend to report higher speeds?

[davidc89]

Yes make sure you request the Chinese (Hervey) or Indian (DMCH) version!:)
I prefer our rebuilt Smith's units with a bulletproof American made adapter cup and lower cable but who buys American anymore? And no sorry they're not on our site as I can't keep up with demand as it is.
Rob

I would have got mine rebuilt from you, but you must have forgot about me as its been a few months and I haven't got a return call or email.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

I would have got mine rebuilt from you, but you must have forgot about me as its been a few months and I haven't got a return call or email.


That's what I meant about the "can't keep up with demand" statement. Sorry but I was about to contact my back-order people to see who still wanted them as I've ramped up production a bit. Please shoot me a PM and I'll take you off the list as I'm not sure of your last name?
Rob

[DMC 2692]

I ordered the kit from DMCH. I also got a new grommet and the retaining ring. I'm assuming you have to remove the nut from the old one and transfer it to the new one?

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[davidc89]

I ordered the kit from DMCH. I also got a new grommet and the retaining ring. I'm assuming you have to remove the nut from the old one and transfer it to the new one?

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Yes. Make sure you have a really small screw driver or a pick for the snap ring and patience.

[DMC 2692]

I have a snap ring tool hopefully that makes it a little easier

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[davidc89]

I have a snap ring tool hopefully that makes it a little easier

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Unfortunately it's not that type of snap ring. It's more of a retaining clip.

[sdg3205]

Unfortunately it's not that type of snap ring. It's more of a retaining clip.

A retaining clip from hell.

[davidc89]

A retaining clip from hell.

Yeah they can be a Royal Pain!

[sdg3205]

I think I had some success with a small curved pick.

[88KPH]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITPF5SDM0Z0. This big revelation for me was using a floor jack to start the nut turning.

Do DeLoreans just tend to report higher speeds?


I believe that inner nut is a 32mm (I know this because my biggest spanner is a 30mm :lol: )

My 'original' speedo, Is bang on accurate, all the way up to 88mph. Tested against GPS it displayed exact mileage.

[Jonathan]

Okay so here's what I did. I unhooked the lower cable from the lambda box and removed the front tire and removed the plastic disc. The disc looks fine so I put a drill on the shaft and spun it. I watched the end of the cable and it didn't spin. So I guess that means the angle drive is bad? Looks like a pretty easy part to change I'm guessing?

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I saw this last night but didn't have the chance to respond. It may very well be the angle drive needing replacement, but one other thing came to mind.

When you did the test of spinning the angle drive cable with the dust cap removed, and then watching to see if the far end of the lower cable was spinning at the connection point of the Lambda counter, there is a possibility of the metal cable inside the lower cable sheath to move in and out and fool you. I found on my own car that it was either that metal cable being a little too long (or short?) and once the end was disconnected, it could move away from the angle drive connection. The gears inside the angle drive are a bit fussy and without it being meshed just right, it can either bind and not spin at all or not make contact and not spin at all.

I fought mine for most of the years I've had my car until recently. I had replaced most portions, more than once, but it was only after replacing all of it together (with the one piece cable from the UK) that it started working again (KOW as it was only a couple hundred miles into the end of the season).

Also, there is normally a grommet already on the lower cable (replacements or otherwise). Since the threaded ends are on it when you get it, getting a new grommet on yourself would be a challenge. New angle drives also come with their own retaining ring/clip typically.

The DMCH instructions for replacement are good, follow them closely. When you go to get those nuts loose, focus on putting the force on the outside nut, with a two foot breaker bar and socket (32 mm for some cars, 36 mm for others). You can reach it much better than the inside one without risking whacking the car or your knuckles. Once the outside one is at least loose, the inside one will come loose much easier.

You can't get a socket on the inside nut, so you use an open ended wrench. Some nuts are just a wee bit bigger than others, so sometimes a 32 mm wrench works and other times it is a 1 1/4" wrench.

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[88KPH]

The advantage of single cable is it reduces stress on the 'dodgy ' angle drive.