speedo hopping like kangaroo on steriods?

[lotire]

89 lotus VDO is being very erratic jumping up and down between 30 and 90 MPH below 60 above 60 just sits at 100 mph all the time
any one any ideas.
CD

[sanj]

It's broken.



The speedo needs to be rebuilt, the next thing that will happen is the needle will break off.

[snuffy]

I had that on my 89 Turbo. It means it's Barry Tucked

[cnh1990]

I would try and lube the speedo cable. It is easy to do if you have the 2 piece type with the connection point neat the rear firewall. Many times the cable will bind and then release which will make the speedo jump. If it continues the the cable will break. Another area to look at is the worn drive inside of the speedo can. The grease that they use dries up and gets very chalky over time as in 15-20 years. Once the grease dries up the worm drive will sieze and shear off.

[deecee]

The Speedo Cable is Broken....

[redhotwheels]

I had this problem - speedo was broken. However, speedo now fixed and works fine above 25mph. Below that it is still eratic so I reckon the cable is binding at low speeds....that's the next fix. Probably just needs oiling before it breaks. :-(

Mind - I now rely on a road pilot to give my speed and camera warnings.

Steve

[5150neo]

I have three words for you, Palo Alto Speedo. I just had my VDO rebuilt by these guys and I only have good things to say. Needle is steady and smooth, and holds solid at any speed though I have not had it higher than 130 since I reinstalled the unit. one of my problems was the needle was not keeping up with the rate of acceleration. Well that problem too is no longer an issue. Turn around time is about a week and the cost is around 140.00.
But I would definately investigate the cable assembly.

John

[5150neo]

Lotire,

I just clicked on your author info and I see you are in Ireland. Sorry, but I don't have a reference in Europe. If you do end up using the shop I mentioned you will be pleased. They do good work.

John