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MG MGF Technical - Speedometer Needle Bounce

I own a 1997 (R-plate) MGF 1.8i and would like to know if it is common for the speeddometer needle to flicker up and down at certain speeds?

Does anyone know what causes it, and if it can be easily fixed?
Ross

A common cause for this was a badly routed speedo cable - a bit kinked - I think you will find quite a bit about it in the archives, you will need to become a member to access the archives but it is free.

Ted
Ted Newman

>ou will need to become a member to access the archives but it is free.

And they will not sell your email on, or use it for spam. However I would set it so it didn't display your email unless you expect people to reach you directly.
Will Munns

Common problem, mine bounces wildly at about 35 - 40 mph then settles down again, I have tried straightening the cable route under the bonnet but it has had no effect I'm afraid.

Their is a join in the cable under the bulk head cover above the washer bottle resevoir which sometimes comes loose and this is where the biggest curve on the cable is too. If you find a permanent solution short of buying a new cable please let me know
Chris

MINE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AT THE SPEED OF 40 - 60KM. ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT AS ERATIC. GUESS I CAN LIVE WITH IT.

HANK
hank teekaveerakit

I took mine back to the dealers because i had the same problem. They replaced the cable and it didnt bounce between 30-40 any more just a little at 50. But now its come back. Maybe it is getting squashed somewhere. It cant be the cable since thats new.
R Jay

I solved my bounce problem today. I removed the plastic bulkhead cover to access the cable where it joins above the washer fluid bottle.

I packed the cap of the join with copper grease, rejoined the cable, ensuring it was pushed well together and smoothed out the curve of the cable by attaching the clip to the brake pipes on the drivers side.

Took it for a spin and not a bounce in sight, whether it was the grease or the smoother curve I do not know but it worked.

Chris

Sounds good Chris, i had a good look at the cable in Scarlet yesterday looking for a reason for the needle bounce. I will give your method a go when i rebuild her and let you know how i get on.

SF
Scarlet Fever

Also, this may not be significant but when I pushed the join together in noticed movement in the cap so I pulled the cap down securely onto the cable join.

Chris

Hi guys,my 97 VVC speedo ticks audibly between 35-40 particularly when the ambient temp is cold.The colder it is the louder the tick.I have had this on other cars,notably a Sierra .I have always put it down to the temp/brittleness sensitive gubbins(plastic cogs etc)inside the speedo and lived with it.In all instances the tick has gone away when the car has warmed up inside(MGF)or in the engine compartment-or ignore it and put the radio on/up.I've given up worrying about it now and just accept it as just another MG noise.Mose
mose

I don't know of any other MGFs that have had this reported, almost certainly not terminal, and I'm guessing a strip down of the speedo to find it.

I would just turn up the stereo.
Will Munns

This thread was discussed between 23/05/2003 and 28/05/2003

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