I don't know about the Z, but on my 87 Pathfinder the speedo cable
cannot be disassembled as Tom suggests. Nissan used a spring loaded
assembly on the speedo end of the cable, this allows the instrument
cluster to be installed without having to reach behind and connect the
speedo, but prevents the cable from being removed. The spring-loaded end
allows the speedo to be just pushed up against it, when the inner cable
rotates the square drive engages the speedo. Pretty slick design, but
the plastic part eventually breaks disabling the speedo, or perhaps
causing the symtoms Dave describes. The speedo shop I talked to said he
makes a lot of money from these old Nissans.
There are 3 options to repair the cable, all require removing the
instrument cluster.
1) replace the entire cable with new Nissan unit, part alone is ~$160
(ouch!)
2) Have a speedo shop replace just the inner cable with custom made
cable. Old cable is stretched and cut to remove, new cable is cut to
fit. ~$60.
3) Repair the broken plastic (my cheapo solution), but it is very
difficult to get things lined up properly, works but cable is pretty
noisey and an may result in excessive speedo bearing wear.
Hope this helps.
Todd Osborn
2x68 2L DATSFUN
87 Pathfinder
San Jose, CA
Thomas Walter wrote:
>
> Dave,
>
> Might need a new speedometer cable. I recommend getting the OEM
> Nissan ones, as they are the best quality.
>
> Something worth trying is to disconnect the speedometer cable at the
> transmission end. Pull out the inner cable, and wipe it down. Relube
> lightly with white lithium grease, and reinsert the cable. You might have
> to spin the cable around, as the square end will fit back into the speedometer
> head. Once you feel the cable seat in all the way, adjust the drive end
> to slip back into the transmission.
>
> If all is well.... it was a cheap repair! ;-) Trivia, on the Datsun/Nissan
> they like a light coat of grease. Some of the Domestic OEM cars use
> only graphite on the cables, so if a Auto Parts place sells you "speedometer"
> lube, quite often it is a big tube of graphite. Messy stuff! ;-)
>
> I do not think any vehicles use speedometer cables any more. Almost
> all the modern vehicles are electronic.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Tom Walter
> Austin, TX
>
> > >
> > >I just purchased an 86 300 ZX as a supplement to my broken down roadster.
> > >The speedometer will work fine sometimes, then, after a stop it will show
> > >145 mph (at about 30 actual mph) . Is there any way to clean or repair this
> > >unit? What would cause such a thing? I'm baffled again.
> > >
> > >Thanx in advance,
> > >
> > >Dave.
> > >SRL311-10444
> > >NOWROC
> > >
> >
> > ________________________________________________________________________
|