What is the Speedometer Cable and Housing all about?
The speedometer cable attaches on one end to a drive gear in the transmission, which rotates at a speed corresponding to the vehicle’s speed. It is routed up from the transmission to the instrument cluster, or dashboard. The cable is a solid strand of relatively rigid metal and is surrounded by a protective sheath known as the cable housing. It prevents the speedometer cable from being damaged, seized, and kinked. Along with the speedometer, this piece works to make sure the driver is always informed about the speed they’re traveling at. If the speedometer cable and housing is damaged or seized, the speedometer will not read accurately. You may also hear a whirring or grinding noise in the dash.
Keep in mind:
- The speedometer cable design is unique to your car and requires an exact replacement.
How it's done:
- The vehicle battery is disconnected then car is lifted and supported on jack stands
- The defective speedometer cable and housing is removed
- The new speedometer cable and housing is installed
- The vehicle is removed from jack stands and the battery is reconnected
- The vehicle is road tested and speedometer operation is checked
Our recommendation:
The speedometer cable and housing cannot be serviced, as it is buried deep inside the dash of your vehicle. It should last the life of your vehicle, though if you notice related symptoms, you should have one of our expert mechanics diagnose it.
What common symptoms indicate you may need to replace the Speedometer Cable and Housing?
- Speedometer reading is inaccurate or jumps around
- Speedometer doesn’t read any speed at all
- Grinding or whirring noise in the dash of your vehicle
How important is this service?
Because the speedometer cable and housing directly correlates to your speedometer operation, it should be replaced as soon as possible. An incorrectly operating or broken speedometer cable will put you at greater risk of traffic/speed violations.
