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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Speedometer mileometer sticking

AS I suspected yesterday, my mileage reading isn't working correctly. It functions for a while and then sticks. Not at anything significant, for example when trying to turn a wide group of digits (say from 999.9 to 1000) but today the trip stuck at 8.4 and the main reading at 1765. Both items stick not just one of them. Before I lever the back off, does anyone have any suggestions as to what to look for or what to be aware of?
I have another speedo which is for a different diff ratio so the gearing inside would be different somewhere. Could the milometer be swapped or would there be a gearing issue?
Graeme W

Its quite a common problem and usually an easy fix.

I did find a website that had some info on it. I will have a look when I get on a PC
Dave O'Neill2

Hi, This chap does inexpensive and reliable repairs. He sorted out my Morris Minor speedo when it exploded with bits of gear wheel inside the glass! Charged about £35 if I remember correctly. Fast turnaround too. Highly recommended.

http://www.jdo1.com/index.html

Dom.
D Excell

Graeme

I can't seem to find the website I mentioned earlier, but I have found a couple of others.

The problem I had with mine was similar to this...

http://siteground237.com/~gunsandr/showthread.php?23-Smiths-Odometer-Repair

...where a clip had come off allowing the shaft to move out of position.

There is a more common problem ISTR where the ratchet pawl just falls off and can easily be refitted.

Here's another site

http://magnetic-speedometer-repair.com/odometer.html
Dave O'Neill2

Thanks everyone. I've a second unit (wrong gearing) which I'll have a look into before I see how the "important" one comes apart. I'm not sure anything has fallen off because the problem is intermittent.
Graeme W

Have a look at the speedo cable connenction at the back of the unit and see if it has worked loose and just needs nipping up.
M J Chapman

THanks MJ but that was my first check. THe speed reading still works so the cable is doing its job.

Can anyone tell me how to remove the trip reset rod? This is stopping me getting the case off and is too long (even after removing the extension section) to push inside the case or tilt the case over the end.
Graeme W

Curiously, I have managed to get the innards out without removing the trip reset, although the last time I stripped a speedo, I couldn't.

One way is to remove the two screws securing the face, which gives you a bit more wiggle room.
Dave O'Neill2

I wonder whether the cold weather is making it stick?
Relatively warm garage - take car out into cold day - drive a few miles and it stops. Next day initially working again but stops after 9 or 10 miles again.

Thinking perhap by warming up overnight all is ok again but the 5 deg ambient outside is enough to make it stick. I had no problems over the summer months. Was going to try it again today but had a flat!

Is the lubricant getting too viscous?

Graeme W

This thread was discussed between 02/01/2013 and 03/01/2013

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