69 Speedometer Removal

[Chuck Poulsen]

Hi there,

Anyone know of any tech pages that cover removal of the speedometer in a 1969 350 coupe? I want to get at the odometer, as it's non-working.

Thanks for any info you can provide.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 Speedometer Removal

Chuck-----

The 1969 Chevrolet Service Manual will provide all of the details. Basically, removal of the speedometer involves the removal or, at least, pulling forward of the left side dash panel. This is the hard part. Once the panel is pulled forward, it's easy to remove the speedometer assembly from the rear of the panel----just remove the speedo cable snap clip and the screws retaining the speedometer housing to the panel.

[Chuck Poulsen]

Re: 69 Speedometer Removal

Joe thanks for your fast response. I will have to pick up a manual. I tried removing speedometer this weekend but it seemed the steering column prohibited lowering the dash panel and I didn't want to damage the panel.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 Speedometer Removal

Chuck------

Lowering the steering column is part of the procedure for removing the left side dash panel. Sometimes, it is possible to remove the panel without lowering the column but it does greatly increase the risk of damaging the panel. Especially, OLD panels which most of these are.

[Jack H.]

Caution....

Having the CSM (Chassis Service Manual) and following R&R instructions is IMPORTANT! If you've not done this 'feat' before you can cause damage by taking disassembly 'short-cuts'....

Dropping the steering column is necessary (as Joe said). Plus, the main wiring harness is held in place with a clip between speedo/tach. Simply grabbing and pulling on the instrument cluster, can result in 'slicing' into the main wiring harness with damage and maybe some smoke!!!!

Also, there are vac lines running to the headlight switch. Being careful to 'baby' these on re-installation is essential to thwarting an unintended system vacuum leak.

Last, the odometer is interconnected to the tripometer. This is a spring loaded reset cable running from the speedo head to the underdash mount. Frequently owners don't 'exercise' the reset function and the reset cable gets 'sticky' (doesn't fully return to it's downward/engaged position). This can generate the odometer symptoms you see....

Before pulling the instrument cluster, I'd check to see if the reset cable is working properly (firmly snaps down & out into it's 'engaged' position)....

[Chuck Poulsen]

Re: Caution....

Jack, thanks very much for your responses. The trip reset cable is sticky and the meter is stuck at 888. Should I disconnect?

-C

[Jack H.]

Re: Caution....

Try pulling the reset cable down/out FIRMLY. If this is the source of your odo problem AND you haven't generated speedo head gear damage as a result (50/50 shot in my experience), you might get lucky and avoid pulling the instrument cluster.... If the odo/tripometer 'magically' begins to work again with this exercise, you DID get lucky!!!

Remove the reset cable, apply a good quality cable lube to it, re-install and REMEMBER to occassionally exercise the odo reset fuction as you operate the vehicle.

If forcing the reset cable down/out results in erratic operation, I'm afraid you're going to have to bite the bullet and R&R the speedo unit. Remember, there ARE hundreds of independent AC/United Delco dealers coast to coast who still have parts and skilled technicians to either repair your speedo on the bench (carry-in) or do a turn-key job (drop the car). Let your fingers do the walking in your Yellow Pages and you just might find the parts & experienced labor for this job conveniently available to you locally!

[John A.]

Re: Caution....

Chuck,

I have the same problem... and was reading throught the responses soaking up the good info! During my preliminary research I found about half-a-dozen shops advertising in Hemmings for instrument repair and calibration. Some have a short turn-arround time while others are months behind! Good luck..

John

[David H.]

Re: Caution....

If your speedo has speed warning option you must be very carefull with that extra cable and the way it is routed in the dash. also the parts to fix the speed warning bushing (that gets damaged from side loading) and other related parts is no longer available. Do not let any weight come on this cable was the advice from Redline gauges. David