Donate NOW and support Jag-lovers!

IMPORTANT! We have moved! The new site is at www.jag-lovers.com and the new Forums can be found at forums.jag-lovers.com

Please update your links. This old site will be left up for reference, until we can move all the old content over to the new site.

Volunteers wanted! Please help us move information from these pages to the new site, and also join us in providing new, exciting content.



Serving Enthusiasts since 1993
The Jag-lovers Web

Currently with 3,166 members





Speedometer Adjustments

Speedometer Adjustments

Hello all,

I have a speedometer accuracy question.

Once I get over 40 mph, mine tends to report "a possible range" of speed,
with the needle constantly flickering. I tend to go with the lower end of
the flickering, that is, if the lower end is around 55 and the upper end
peaks over 90, but everyone is still passing me on the interstate, I assume
I'm doing the speed limit.

Is this possibly just (slight hint of sarcasm) a spring replacement or an
adjustment or should I send it to one of those people in Hemmings that
repair instruments?

I assume that it will be a typical repair job if I send it off, one that
uses the quaint southern word "hunnertn," translating as some (specified)
hundreds of dollars, as in "This'll cost ya two hunnertn fifty, at least."
for those not from the South.

Jim Voorhies
XK140 FHC

Jim,
In addition to all of the other good advice you may want to check the
odometer for binding. The odometer uses the speedometer cable to turn its
gears. Momentary binding at specific points could cause the the spining
magnet to slow down at a binding point and speed up once its past (i.e. the
cable snaps back once the drag is gone). Lubricating the odometer should
cure this problem.

Cleo Bay
XK120, XK140

Jim,
Take the unit out and run it with an electric drill to determine if it is
faulty. If it is OK, then you probably have a cable bind that is causing
the wavering.

George Badger

Jim,

i haven't gone in in a while, but my recollection is that the speedo action
is a spinning magnet inside a spring balanced housing attached to the
needle. There is a small air gap....with age and storage a dusting of rust
may form causing occassional physical contact where only a magnetic pull
should exist between the spinning parts. This might explain the swinging
needle....or not-

Jim Warren XK 140dhc, XJ6 vdp

Jim,

You are correct. I had my S-type speedo apart last week. I could easily see
where the spinning magnet was striking the plate attached to the needle. I
don't know exactly what caused the air gap to close but it wasn't rust.
Perhaps warpage or a bushing wear. I tried to slide the magnet back on its
shaft. When I put it back together it worked for a while, that is it
eliminated the wild swinging, but it was reading too low.

By the time I put about 50 miles on it it was swinging wildly again.

Thank goodness for the lock up torque converter. It allows me to use the
tach to determine speed.

Jim,

I have excellent results having old british gages repaired by Nisonger
Instrument Sales in NY. 914-381-1952. Bob Nisonger is the owner, very
knowledgeable and definitely not southern (how about a Broklyn accent). I
have always been pleasantly surprised at the reasonable prices, although
$100 or so may be what it would cost to get your old speedo back in shape.
Before you do that though, have you checked the cable, fittings, etc. I'm
no mechanic, but it sounds like it might be that kind of problem.

Good luck,

Jeff Snook



If you have any questions or comments send e-mail to: ted@jag-lovers.org
Main Page Back to the Library

 

Please help support the move to the new site, and DONATE what you can.
A big Thank You to those who have donated already!

 


       
       
       
       

Go to our Homepage
Improve your Jag-lovers experience with the Mozilla FireFox Browser!

  View the latest posts from our Forums via an RSS Feed!

©Jag-loversTM Ltd / JagWEBTM 1993 - 2024
All rights reserved. Jag-lovers is supported by JagWEBTM
For Terms of Use and General Rules see our Disclaimer
Use of the Jag-lovers logo or trademark name on sites other than Jag-lovers itself in a manner implying endorsement of commercial activities whatsoever is prohibited. Sections of this Web Site may publish members and visitors comments, opinion and photographs/images - Jag-lovers Ltd does not assume or have any responsibility or any liability for members comments or opinions, nor does it claim ownership or copyright of any material that belongs to the original poster including images. The word 'Jaguar' and the leaping cat device, whether used separately or in combination, are registered trademarks and are the property of Jaguar Cars, England. Some images may also be © Jaguar Cars. Mirroring or downloading of this site or the publication of material or any extracts therefrom in original or altered form from these pages onto other sites (including reproduction by any other Jaguar enthusiast sites) without express permission violates Jag-lovers Ltd copyright and is prohibited
Go to our Homepage
Your Browser is: claudebot, IP Address logged as 3.89.163.120 on 28th Mar 2024 10:25:34