Speedo and mileage stopped working.

[Mydmc5898]

Yesterday I got caught in heavy snow. The car made it through even in bumper to bump traffic on the highway...
Usually I don't have the car out in that... But long story.

Anyways, today I had to take to have someone look at the after market setup. While on my way I notice the speedo wasn't working at all. Yesterday it did. Today it won't do anything. It's is maybe... 4years old?
And only has about 3k miles on it. It all looks attached inside the car. Not sure what could have caused it to stop working... Snow pile? Something got in it like water....
Do they usually just stop like that?
Could something at the wheel and tire be screwed up?
I have replaced this before but usually it acts up and stops. This won't do anything.
Any ideas what to look for? Can I take it apart without damaging it further?

Thanks
Darryl

[sdg3205]

Hey Daryl,

Usually there is some flutter, stumbling and jumping around when the speedometer is about to quite and it's breathing its last breath, but perhaps in all thew weather and slow driving you just couldnt see it happening.

Remove the left front wheel and inspect every component from the dust shield to the speedometer. Dust shields can "round out" causing the angle drive to NOT catch and rotate. Angle drive failures are very common, even new units. Some folks have gone though 5 in 32 years. Maybe some ice hit the cable and loosened it. Bottom line is you'll have to get your hands dirty and inspect it.

You can use a drill to rotate the angle drive FORWARD to check speedo function if everything looks fine.

Keep us posted.

[DMCMW Dave]

Probably got the angle drive or lower cable full of water. And it froze, stripping the gears or the drive cap, or twisting the cable. Or all 3.

[Mydmc5898]

The last two drives that were installed did that fluttering you described. Usually around 15mph which is right at the speed I was doing. So more than likely it died. I have the car at a tuning shop now, once Iget it back I will pull the wheel.

It's been so long since I last pulled it apart, and finally got all the gauges to work and the speedo stops, go figure lol.

Thanks guys!