I recently purchased my first classic car as I couldn’t resist the 69 XR-7 convertible. I took it to a mechanic and asked them to disconnect the tilt away steering functionality. When I picked it up, the speedo no longer works. Before I think about pulling out the dash, I wanted to ask if there are any wires inside the steering column that the mechanic may have cut / disconnected that would also impact the speedo?
Suskman,welcome to the group.
What exactly did the mechanic disconnect?
The speedometer has nothing to do with the tilt wheel
Maybe the cable got dislodged from the back of the speedometer.
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Thanks Trixie. I guess that is my question, is the speedo cable the only thing needed to work the speedo, or is there any wiring through the steering column that could impact it? Someone had mentioned to me about wiring too, but thought I would confirm with this knowledge base before I trouble shoot the back of the speedo. Thanks for your help.
Suskman,
There are no electrical wires for the speedometer. Single cable that runs from the speedometer to the transmission. Unless you have cruise control in which case another cable is used to connect to the speed control unit mounted on the inner passenger side fender sheet metal. Located by the passenger side hood hinge. Are you maybe talking about the tachometer instead?
I don’t know your age or physical ability, but you may be able to look up under the dash and see the speedometer cable with a flashlight. I did it when I was younger, but that was 40+ years ago!!
Good luck and keep us posted.
The 69 has a funky connection for the speedometer cable. It’s pretty easy to dislodge it. Unfortunately to hook it back up means pulling the dash pad and the instrument cluster. Lots of work.
Not necessarily true. Yes it is cramped behind the dash but it can be done. You have to be young and dumb to do it but that was a long time ago.
Thanks for the advice. I’ll see if I can find someone with small arms 