88 GL Wagon speedometer issue

[TomRhere]

Question is, what would cause the speedometer to read low?

 

Until yesterday morning, I haven't noticed any issue with the speedometer.

 

Heading into work, getting up to the 55 mph speed limit, I noticed the engine was hitting higher on the tach than where it should've been, over 3k in 5th gear. Speedometer was still showing only 45 mph. Hmmmm.

 

Few miles down the road and it started reading correctly, 2750-2800 rpm's at 55 mph. Right where it's always read.

Didn't notice any funky reading on the trip home.

 

I've had issues with the BRAT's and funky speedometer readings during the Winter months. But those where the needle would basically peg it's self, not read low.

 

 

The clutch is not slipping at all. When I run her up thru the gears hard, the front of the Wagon will lift a few inches every time I let the clutch out, and you can feel the pull of the engine quite well.

[czny]

I've experienced much the same thing with the speedo readings in my 87 wagon. Driving the fwys 65 is now 55 because of the whl/tire combo on the wagon, but at times it reads lower, like 45. Tap the cluster lens a few times & it rises to where it should be. I have 2 other instrument clusters - may have to try replacing the current one & dissect the old one, if possible.

 

Perhaps its something to do with the magnetic drive cup losing its magnetism with age? Or worn "jeweled" brgs in the speedo? Or dust & oils collecting in the "jeweled" brgs slowing the drive?

[Gloyale]

Rubber seal where the cable threads into the trans is possibly shot.

 

Oil wicking it's way up the cable creates drag in the housing.

 

I'd take the cable out of trans, and see if it's wet in there.

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

That is Good advice, but if you don't find oil on the Speedo cable, This:

 

... Or dust & oils collecting in the "jeweled" brgs slowing the drive?

 

Happened to me once, in other car -non Subaru- I only cleaned the Gears and used a very small amount of 3-in-1 oil, and solved the Problem.

 

Kind Regards.

[czny]

Rubber seal where the cable threads into the trans is possibly shot.

 

Oil wicking it's way up the cable creates drag in the housing.

 

I'd take the cable out of trans, and see if it's wet in there.

 

One step at a time: ordered new GL trans speedo seal from local dealer. FSM shows the same diagram for both 2 & 4WD, P/N 806712090. Will be here next week.

[TomRhere]

Rubber seal where the cable threads into the trans is possibly shot.

 

Oil wicking it's way up the cable creates drag in the housing.

 

I'd take the cable out of trans, and see if it's wet in there.

 

That, had crossed my mind. But I was under the impression that trans lube would cause the needle to want to peg instead of reading low.

 

The White '86 BRAT was good for that one on cold Winter mornings. Could peg the needle in 1st gear.

Was alot of lube under the dash near the speedometer connection on it.

 

Been wanting to keep an eye on it the past few mornings, but wasn't really able to. Foggy with a light drizzle, and a full compliment of Deer wanting to be in the road, hasn't led to favorable conditions to keep an eye on the dash.

Early morning temps have been in the low 40's, high 30's the past few days. But this morning it was 62 with even more drizzle, light fog. A tad bit better than the past few mornings. But the Deer were still out in force.

Don't like venison enough to want to mash my Wagon to get some.