speedo cable removal? - 89 GMQ

[RunUoveR]

real quick whats the trick to get the cable off the back of the gauge cluster so the cluster can be removed? i dont wanna start just yanking things (or maybe i do )

im working on it right at the moment so id appericate any timley responces.

thanks

[91grandmarquis]

Should be a metal tab thing that unhooks it, it has been on all the cars I have worked on. Mine is all electric so I have not taken one of a panther so don't take my word for it. Someone else (87gtvic) would know for sure as hes had the cluster out many times.

[RunUoveR]

well it looks like a metal cylinder comming off the gauge and then theres a round white piece of plastic that i think holds the cable to the back of the gauge but im not sure if thats the piece that "unhooks"

[87gtVIC]

I think you may have done it already...but here goes nothing. Lay on your back reach your right arm up underneath the dash and feel for the white collar right at the base of the speedometer. Pinch that collar between your fingers while pushing up (a bit) and pull out.

[85crownHPP]

Yep - the collar is a bit oblong - you want to squeeze at the widest part.

[Lincolnmania]

dont get your arm stuck

[gadget73]

If squeezing it doesn't release the cable, cuss at it and try again. I've always been able to pull the cluster out just far enough to use a really long pair of needle nose pliers to reach in there and squeeze the tabs, but its still a pain, and putting it back on is a real chore.

[johnunit]

do any panels or covers have to come off to get your hand in?

[87gtVIC]

If you have the under dash carpeting that will have to come off, and removing the fuse box access panel will help you reach up a bit more. If you have long arms you should be able to remove it with the fuse panel cover still in place.

[sly]

don't need long arms really... but knowing where to reach and not having beefy arms may help. Some areas are quite narrow up under those dashes.

[87gtVIC]

Unfortunately..or fortunately..depending on how you look at things...I have gotten really good at removing and reinstalling the speedo cable into the back of my cluster.

[sly]

Unfortunately..or fortunately..depending on how you look at things...I have gotten really good at removing and reinstalling the speedo cable into the back of my cluster.

same here... needle was about 8 mph off when i first got the car... had to reseat it at 0 a couple of times along with trying to get the speedo to stop squealing and finally greased the right part. I think i've had that speedo out about 4 times, the 93 vic's speedo out about 8 times (trial and error in making that planetary gear for the odometer) and the speedo out of the 85 pontiac parisienne I used to have about 12 times (repairing the coolant temp gauge) - it's very similar to the way the 88 mgm is mounted up speedo wise that is. so far, the 93 is actually the hardest due to the lack of space to get a hold of the wire harness and get the clips on it to let go. I did figure out a press and wiggle move that made it pretty easy though. once one side lets go, it pretty much comes out with little trouble.

[86VickyLX]

I think you may have done it already...but here goes nothing. Lay on your back reach your right arm up underneath the dash and feel for the white collar right at the base of the speedometer. Pinch that collar between your fingers while pushing up (a bit) and pull out.

Lay on your back?! Reach under the dash?! I've gotten enough reach out of the cable where I can pull the speedometer far enough forward to get my hand behind it and release the plastic clip, and also to reattach it as well. I've done it with my car and an '88 Grand Marquis, so there's more than enough cable to get the cluster undone without going under the dash. Oh, and if the white thing doesn't release, push the cable and the cluster closer together and try again, it should then release easily, you'll hear and feel it release. But remember that if you're taking the cluster out that you disconnect the shift indicator lever from the steering column, or else you might break it, or break it more.