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Bouncing speedometer needle

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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 01:47 PM
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pifcat2's Avatar
pifcat2
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300TE / 300E / 300CE
Question Bouncing speedometer needle
I notice mine bounces at upper speeds. Anyone else have this problem and what is the fix?
Last edited by pifcat2; Sep 23, 2004 at 02:03 PM.
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 12:02 PM
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jrmd01
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2005 E320 CDI
Change your speedometer cable with a new one. The old one is "stretched out".

I have no doubts that will fix your bouncing needle.

GL.
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 05:01 PM
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1988 300TE
I'm bumping this old thread just to keep my question together with the OP's question.

I have a bouncing speedo on a '88 300TE. Ordered and installed a new cable and I swear it's bouncing worse!

What else?
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 02:24 AM
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08 Lexus GS350 AWD. 08 Lexus RX350 AWD - wife's. 94 MBZ E320 - still have it.
Mine bounces from time to time, usually in the 25-45mph range. Whenever it starts bouncing, I pull out the instrument cluster just enough to be able to disconnect the speedo cable, then spray some WD-40 into the cable. It stops the bouncing for few months.
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 02:28 AM
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1988 300TE
Originally Posted by Arnie
Mine bounces from time to time, usually in the 25-45mph range. Whenever it starts bouncing, I pull out the instrument cluster just enough to be able to disconnect the speedo cable, then spray some WD-40 into the cable. It stops the bouncing for few months.

My Cable is brand new and jumps all the way to 80 mph.

Is there anything else this can be besides the cable?
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 03:24 PM
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From: Salem, OR
08 Lexus GS350 AWD. 08 Lexus RX350 AWD - wife's. 94 MBZ E320 - still have it.
That only leaves one suspect: the speedo itself. Try squirting some WD-40 into the cable opening on the speedo. It it doesn't fix it, swat the istrument cluster with somebody.
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 10:41 PM
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1992 Mercedes-Benz 500E
I believe the speedo gear is plastic. Could be breaking down or wearing out? I only have experience with the cables breaking down though.
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 10:44 PM
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2018 GLE350, 2014 G550, 2000 SL500, 1980 TR8, 1995 E320 Cabriolet
On my British cars the speedometer cable drive gear in the transmission is made of nylon. Because of that, speedo jumping at low speeds usually means the cable is shot or needs to be lubed. Speedo jumping at high or all speeds means that the nylon drive gear is damaged. Not sure if the Benz uses a similar setup, but if so, I would suspect the drive gear over the actual speedo.

- FD
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 11:07 PM
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1988 300TE
It's much worse since the cable replacement.

It was bouncing up to about 50 and wouldn't be noticeable at 60-80. Now it's bouncing at a quicker "frequency" and bounces 100% of the dial.
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