cj 3a speedometer

[dluyk]

just recently purchased a 53 CJ 3A. Have started small repairs.
When I removed the speedometer with a non working odometer,
to oil the gears - the odometer starting working. When I reinstalled
the speedometer - nothing works. Anyone have insight as to
what I did wrong or should do. Thanks

[F Bill]

Are you sure your cable is turning the speedo? Check for a disengaged cable, breaks, or a worn out end.

[Carls_jeep]

Was the speedo working except the odometer before you took it out?

Is the speedo cable broke?

Did you take the speedo apart to oil it or did it just start working?

[dluyk]

The speedo was working but not the odometer.
I did take the speedo apart so I could oil the odometer gears. When I turn the
the ring where the cable goes in the speedo and odometer works, but when
I reinstall the speedo nothing works while driving. A slight tug on the cable
end only goes so far - so I don't think the cable is broken.

[Carls_jeep]

From past experience if the speedo works when you turn the part the cable goes in and then when you hook the cable up and road test it then the cable is broken or the speedo drive gear in the tranny is broken.

If the speedo works in your hand but don't work hooked up in the Jeep something is wrong from the cable to the tranny.

[mud pie]

My speedo made a hellacious whirring sound while under way. I removed it and oiled it, but didn't take it apart. I bought a new speedo cable from Walcks, hooked it up and put my drill on the other end. Spun it up, all was quiet.  Oh yeah, did the same test with the original cable just to see, all still quiet, but I like Walcks cable better. The original wasn't rubber coated, just sheathing.  Apparently replaced before with some cheapie aftermarket.

[dluyk]

thanks for all the tips. I was able to get the cable to work - suprising what a little
tighting of a cable will do by the speedo drive gear. Now the 10th of a mile numbers
even turn. Any Ideas how to make the rest of the odometer numbers turn as well?

Again thanks for the tips - now I might tackle changing the oil. One learning step at a time.

[mud pie]

Someone on here posted a photo of where you need to oil the speedo.  It only take a few drops of a light machine oil, I used 3 in 1.  Put in a drop or two, let it set for a couple minutes to let the oil sink in, then test.  Too much oil is worse than not enough, don't squirt it in.