how to remove '89 K5 speedometer?

[Low87]

I've got to replace the speedometer this weekend, how do I detach the cable from the back of the speedo?

[blazing816]

Yours should be electronic if I am not mistaken...but with my mechinical speedo, I usally take the metal and plastic peice off under the steering column and then just reach my hand up there and pull it off and then you do not have to pull the whole dash.

However, if your replacing the gauge, you have to take the bezel off anyways so then you can just take the gauge pod (white plastic) out also and there should be enough cable that you can pull it out to get behind it to unplug everything. Then you can take the lens off and replace the speedo gauge.

[Low87]

Mine is mechanical, last year for it.  I've got the bezel and lens off.  Trouble is, there is no give on the gauge.  I can't get it to pull out at all.  I have to replace the gauge, because last time I tried to pull the gauge I broke the speedo needle off at the base.  Found a replacement at the junk yard (the instrument cluster was already pulled, otherwise I would have practiced/figured it out there). 

[DrDaryl]

Detach the speedometer cable at the transmission (it just screws off) and push it upwards to give yourself some slack to pull the speedometer assembly out.  There is a tab on the back of the speedometer, just reach back there from the top and release the cable. 

[Low87]

Thanks!

[blazing816]

AS DrDaryl said about the clip...that is what I do when I take the two parts off under the steering column I reach my hand up there and feel for the clip and pull the cable off.

[Low87]

I got it, thanks everyone.  I reached in over the instrument panel and was able to get the speedo out.  Also disconnected the cable at the tranny to give myself some slack.  Nice to finally have a speedo after a year without.

[blazing816]

yeah it helps keep the cops off your back probally.

Mine was bouncing anything under 50mph for a good year and I always said if I got pulled over and they asked me if I knew how fast I was going i was going to tell them "somewhere between 0-50mph, speedo doesn't work" and see if it would get me out of the ticket (long shot I know). But luckly never got pulled over.

[Low87]

Wouldn't have gone that long if a new speed wasn't $150.  Finally found an entire instrument panel at the yard for $5.
I've been doing pretty good either gauging my speed or following traffic.  I did get nailed in the spring in a speed trap small town.  Cop even saw that the needle was broken off my speedo.  Still got a $200 ticket.  At least he was nice about it.
I also had my signal lights out last week, just waiting on that doozie of a ticket.  New signal switch and I'm back.

BTW, mine bounced around too.  I looked it up and read it's caused by dry or dirty gears in the speedo.  I shot some lithium grease back there and it's smooth now.  Might give it a shot.

[blazing816]

Yeah thanks, I already fixed mine, one of the PO and melted the stock cable to the exhuast so they bought a cheap generic at auto parts store. I finally bought a AcDelco online and it fixed it instantly. But before that I tried grease gears, putting gease inside the cable...I swear I tried everything.

Wish I knew you where looking for one I have a whole cluster not using would have sold it to you for the price of shipping, but $5 aint bad.

[Low87]

That's cool of you, thanks!
I'm too unstable in my board visitation, work fluctuates quite a bit.  Never thought to check on here for the part.

[howlinwolf]

so, mine makes a whining sound when it bounces, but when its quiet, it stays pretty steady.  it is reading off, but im missing the correcting adapter between the trans and cable. any ideas?