89 560 SEL speedometer.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Melbourne, FL
2010 GL550, 2008 CLK55
The speedometer in W126 models from 1981 through 1991 is electronic. A mechanical speedometer uses a cable that spins faster as the speed increases. This mechanical set up is common in most vehicles built prior to 1985. Although the dashboard readout on your '89 560SEL is presented in an analog style, still, there is no speedometer cable. The orange speedometer needle is driven by an electric motor inside the dash cluster, which receives it's signal from a speed sensor mounted on the side of the transmission housing. This signal also controls - among other things - your cruise control speed, and the automatic volume level on the factory stereo. While the speedometer itself is designed to last the vehicle's lifetime (unlike the plastic odometer gears which are prone to failure), a sudden electric shock (a bad alternator, or an improper jump start to a dead battery) could render the speedometer inoperative.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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2000 MR-S daily driver, 1997 SL600 weekend fun, 1999 ML430 tow vehicle
I was just curious, because the engine and trans are going into my 1976 240D and I had no idea what the tech behind it was since my W201s all have Mechanical speedos.
Thanks for that info!
Thanks for that info!
