1987 Plymouth Voyager Speedometer

1987 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER
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OMARE19
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Electrical problem
1987 Plymouth Voyager 4 cyl Four Wheel Drive 200,00 miles

The speedometer stopped working. It started yesterday and just stayed at zero and won't climb up but the vehicle is working but I don't know my driving speed. Can you tell me the problem and is it something a lay man like myself can fix?
Apr 25, 2009 at 4:59 PM
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CARADIODOC
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Check the end of the speedometer cable where it screws into the speed sensor on the left side of the transmission. It should be square, not rounded off.

I pulled my engine out of my '88 Grand Caravan years ago and forgot to unhook the cable. It bent the casing which put sideways pressure on the cable end. After a couple of years, the cable rounded off and stopped spinning. I fixed it with "Belzona" which is an epoxy-like product used in paper mills. Once cured, it can be filed or machined on a lathe just like metal. I filed my cable to a nice square end, straightened the casing, and it's been fine for years.

If your cable end is ok, try pulling it out of the casing. It will only come out of it is snapped off somewhere. To remove it, you must remove the instrument cluster, squeeze the lever on the white cable end to pull it from the speedometer, then pull the cable out of the casing.

Before you do that, try spinning the cable by hand or with an electric drill. If the speedometer works, and the cable looks ok, remove the 10 mm bolt from the right side of the speed sensor and pull it out to inspect the teeth on the gear. Sometimes the gear gets hot and actually melts where it snaps onto the sensor.

If you need a cable and can't find one, holler back. I went on a salvage yard excursion a couple of months ago and got a spare cable for my van.
Apr 29, 2009 at 5:53 AM
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.