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Rubbing from Instrument panel?
Rubbing from Instrument panel?
Hi All,
I hear a rubbing that seems to be coming from the instrument panel. It
changes with the car speed, not the engine speed. My thought was that it
could be a speedometer cable gone bad but the speedometer registers smoothly
and I would think that if the cable was faulty then the speedometer needle
would vibrate in tandem with the noise. I welcome anyone's thought on what
the noise might be.
Many thanks.
95 BBB
Hi All,
I hear a rubbing that seems to be coming from the instrument panel. It
changes with the car speed, not the engine speed. My thought was that it
could be a speedometer cable gone bad but the speedometer registers smoothly
and I would think that if the cable was faulty then the speedometer needle
would vibrate in tandem with the noise. I welcome anyone's thought on what
the noise might be.
Many thanks.
95 BBB
Re: Rubbing from Instrument panel?
Christopher Muto wrote:
> Hi All,
> I hear a rubbing that seems to be coming from the instrument panel. It
> changes with the car speed, not the engine speed. My thought was that it
> could be a speedometer cable gone bad but the speedometer registers smoothly
> and I would think that if the cable was faulty then the speedometer needle
> would vibrate in tandem with the noise. I welcome anyone's thought on what
> the noise might be.
> Many thanks.
> 95 BBB
The speedometer/odometer and the cable that drives them are the only
mechanical parts in the instrument panel that are likely be audibly
affected by car speed versus engine speed, so that is a good guess.
The speedometer cable that I had go out was making noise at the
transmission from the gears being worn, but your's could have developed
a bad hookup to the back of the instrument cluster.
It does seem like it would affect your speedometer, but maybe that comes
later. :-/
How bad is the noise, and is it affected at all by coasting the car
versus keeping it under power?
I would disconnect the speedometer cable at the transmission and zip-tie
it out of the way. I don't remember if you have an auto or a 5-speed but
it is easy to do on the 5-speed, not sure about an automatic.
If the sounds goes away, you have identified the source.
Finally, have you checked the plastic instrument surround hood to make
sure it is fully secured?
Losing one small & brittle plastic clip turns that part into a noise-maker.
Pat
Christopher Muto wrote:
> Hi All,
> I hear a rubbing that seems to be coming from the instrument panel. It
> changes with the car speed, not the engine speed. My thought was that it
> could be a speedometer cable gone bad but the speedometer registers smoothly
> and I would think that if the cable was faulty then the speedometer needle
> would vibrate in tandem with the noise. I welcome anyone's thought on what
> the noise might be.
> Many thanks.
> 95 BBB
The speedometer/odometer and the cable that drives them are the only
mechanical parts in the instrument panel that are likely be audibly
affected by car speed versus engine speed, so that is a good guess.
The speedometer cable that I had go out was making noise at the
transmission from the gears being worn, but your's could have developed
a bad hookup to the back of the instrument cluster.
It does seem like it would affect your speedometer, but maybe that comes
later. :-/
How bad is the noise, and is it affected at all by coasting the car
versus keeping it under power?
I would disconnect the speedometer cable at the transmission and zip-tie
it out of the way. I don't remember if you have an auto or a 5-speed but
it is easy to do on the 5-speed, not sure about an automatic.
If the sounds goes away, you have identified the source.
Finally, have you checked the plastic instrument surround hood to make
sure it is fully secured?
Losing one small & brittle plastic clip turns that part into a noise-maker.
Pat
Re: Rubbing from Instrument panel?
> pws" <pwshelton@austin.rr,com > wrote in message
> news:4811cc9d$0$5726$4c368faf@roadrunner,com ...
> Christopher Muto wrote:
>> Hi All,
>> I hear a rubbing that seems to be coming from the instrument panel. It
>> changes with the car speed, not the engine speed. My thought was that it
>> could be a speedometer cable gone bad but the speedometer registers
>> smoothly and I would think that if the cable was faulty then the
>> speedometer needle would vibrate in tandem with the noise. I welcome
>> anyone's thought on what the noise might be.
>> Many thanks.
>> 95 BBB
>
> The speedometer/odometer and the cable that drives them are the only
> mechanical parts in the instrument panel that are likely be audibly
> affected by car speed versus engine speed, so that is a good guess.
>
> The speedometer cable that I had go out was making noise at the
> transmission from the gears being worn, but your's could have developed a
> bad hookup to the back of the instrument cluster.
>
> It does seem like it would affect your speedometer, but maybe that comes
> later. :-/
>
> How bad is the noise, and is it affected at all by coasting the car versus
> keeping it under power?
>
> I would disconnect the speedometer cable at the transmission and zip-tie
> it out of the way. I don't remember if you have an auto or a 5-speed but
> it is easy to do on the 5-speed, not sure about an automatic.
> If the sounds goes away, you have identified the source.
>
> Finally, have you checked the plastic instrument surround hood to make
> sure it is fully secured?
> Losing one small & brittle plastic clip turns that part into a
> noise-maker.
>
> Pat
Pat, Thanks for your reply. It is an auto and the sounds remians when
coasting in nutral... not sure why Ihad even done that but couldn't conclude
anything from it. The instrument surround does ocassionally make annoying
little noises, but usually only in the cold, and nothing as constant as this
mild drowning. Disconnecting the spedometer cable from the tranny end
sounds like a smart idea in troubleshooting this. Thanks for the tip!
> pws" <pwshelton@austin.rr,com > wrote in message
> news:4811cc9d$0$5726$4c368faf@roadrunner,com ...
> Christopher Muto wrote:
>> Hi All,
>> I hear a rubbing that seems to be coming from the instrument panel. It
>> changes with the car speed, not the engine speed. My thought was that it
>> could be a speedometer cable gone bad but the speedometer registers
>> smoothly and I would think that if the cable was faulty then the
>> speedometer needle would vibrate in tandem with the noise. I welcome
>> anyone's thought on what the noise might be.
>> Many thanks.
>> 95 BBB
>
> The speedometer/odometer and the cable that drives them are the only
> mechanical parts in the instrument panel that are likely be audibly
> affected by car speed versus engine speed, so that is a good guess.
>
> The speedometer cable that I had go out was making noise at the
> transmission from the gears being worn, but your's could have developed a
> bad hookup to the back of the instrument cluster.
>
> It does seem like it would affect your speedometer, but maybe that comes
> later. :-/
>
> How bad is the noise, and is it affected at all by coasting the car versus
> keeping it under power?
>
> I would disconnect the speedometer cable at the transmission and zip-tie
> it out of the way. I don't remember if you have an auto or a 5-speed but
> it is easy to do on the 5-speed, not sure about an automatic.
> If the sounds goes away, you have identified the source.
>
> Finally, have you checked the plastic instrument surround hood to make
> sure it is fully secured?
> Losing one small & brittle plastic clip turns that part into a
> noise-maker.
>
> Pat
Pat, Thanks for your reply. It is an auto and the sounds remians when
coasting in nutral... not sure why Ihad even done that but couldn't conclude
anything from it. The instrument surround does ocassionally make annoying
little noises, but usually only in the cold, and nothing as constant as this
mild drowning. Disconnecting the spedometer cable from the tranny end
sounds like a smart idea in troubleshooting this. Thanks for the tip!
Re: Rubbing from Instrument panel?
Christopher Muto wrote:
> Pat, Thanks for your reply. It is an auto and the sounds remians when
> coasting in nutral... not sure why Ihad even done that but couldn't conclude
> anything from it. The instrument surround does ocassionally make annoying
> little noises, but usually only in the cold, and nothing as constant as this
> mild drowning. Disconnecting the spedometer cable from the tranny end
> sounds like a smart idea in troubleshooting this. Thanks for the tip!
You may have already done this but I would make certain that the noise
is coming from that area before taking anything apart.
When I say "easy to remove", that is a relative term, and I have no idea
how hard it is to remove one from an automatic.
Locating the source of a noise can be very frustrating unless it is
obvious what the problem is.
Good luck!
Pat
Christopher Muto wrote:
> Pat, Thanks for your reply. It is an auto and the sounds remians when
> coasting in nutral... not sure why Ihad even done that but couldn't conclude
> anything from it. The instrument surround does ocassionally make annoying
> little noises, but usually only in the cold, and nothing as constant as this
> mild drowning. Disconnecting the spedometer cable from the tranny end
> sounds like a smart idea in troubleshooting this. Thanks for the tip!
You may have already done this but I would make certain that the noise
is coming from that area before taking anything apart.
When I say "easy to remove", that is a relative term, and I have no idea
how hard it is to remove one from an automatic.
Locating the source of a noise can be very frustrating unless it is
obvious what the problem is.
Good luck!
Pat
Re: Rubbing from Instrument panel?
>Can I stop by the next time I am in the DC area and have you help me
>install it?
>(Kidding)
>Regards,
Yeah, just wait the 3 months it will take me to get around to it so I know
what I'm doing. Pulling the instrument pod cover is going to be a bear.
After 18 years in the sun, the sucker is probably going to shatter. Good
thing Tommy has that part as well - NA01-55-420B-00 for only $99.50
(yikes!).
--
Ken Lyons '97 Brilliant Black/'90 Classic Red
Inside the Beltway
>Can I stop by the next time I am in the DC area and have you help me
>install it?
>(Kidding)
>Regards,
Yeah, just wait the 3 months it will take me to get around to it so I know
what I'm doing. Pulling the instrument pod cover is going to be a bear.
After 18 years in the sun, the sucker is probably going to shatter. Good
thing Tommy has that part as well - NA01-55-420B-00 for only $99.50
(yikes!).
--
Ken Lyons '97 Brilliant Black/'90 Classic Red
Inside the Beltway
Re: Rubbing from Instrument panel?
Wait! Only $95.50...that's better
"Ken Lyons" <1997MiataDriver@verizon,net > wrote in message
news:TUtQj.75$PY5.60@trnddc01...
> >Can I stop by the next time I am in the DC area and have you help me
> >install it?
>>(Kidding)
>>Regards,
> Yeah, just wait the 3 months it will take me to get around to it so I know
> what I'm doing. Pulling the instrument pod cover is going to be a bear.
> After 18 years in the sun, the sucker is probably going to shatter. Good
> thing Tommy has that part as well - NA01-55-420B-00 for only $99.50
> (yikes!).
> --
> Ken Lyons '97 Brilliant Black/'90 Classic Red
> Inside the Beltway
>
>
Wait! Only $95.50...that's better
"Ken Lyons" <1997MiataDriver@verizon,net > wrote in message
news:TUtQj.75$PY5.60@trnddc01...
> >Can I stop by the next time I am in the DC area and have you help me
> >install it?
>>(Kidding)
>>Regards,
> Yeah, just wait the 3 months it will take me to get around to it so I know
> what I'm doing. Pulling the instrument pod cover is going to be a bear.
> After 18 years in the sun, the sucker is probably going to shatter. Good
> thing Tommy has that part as well - NA01-55-420B-00 for only $99.50
> (yikes!).
> --
> Ken Lyons '97 Brilliant Black/'90 Classic Red
> Inside the Beltway
>
>
Re: Rubbing from Instrument panel?
"Ken Lyons" <1997MiataDriver@verizon,net > wrote in message
news:NVtQj.77$PY5.18@trnddc01...
> Wait! Only $95.50...that's better
>
> "Ken Lyons" <1997MiataDriver@verizon,net > wrote in message
> news:TUtQj.75$PY5.60@trnddc01...
>> >Can I stop by the next time I am in the DC area and have you help me
>> >install it?
>>>(Kidding)
>>>Regards,
>> Yeah, just wait the 3 months it will take me to get around to it so I
>> know what I'm doing. Pulling the instrument pod cover is going to be a
>> bear. After 18 years in the sun, the sucker is probably going to shatter.
>> Good thing Tommy has that part as well - NA01-55-420B-00 for only $99.50
>> (yikes!).
>> --
>> Ken Lyons '97 Brilliant Black/'90 Classic Red
>> Inside the Beltway
>>
Just found this on Miata,net ... perhaps we can both save the money and
effort of replacing the cable... though getting behind the instrument
cluster to do the following is probably more than half the battle in
replacing the entire cable...
"Just like a motorcycle control cable, the speedometer cable may need some
lubrication occasionally. Per the directions in the shop manual, remove the
instrument module containing the speed/tach/etc. Very gently roll the module
towards the steering wheel to expose the speedo cable's white plastic
connection to the back of the speedo head itself. Depress the small release
tab and remove the cable from the speedo.
Use a commercial product made for the motorcycle market called Dri-Slide.
This is a graphite-molybdenum disulfide compound that goes on wet and then
the liquid vehicle dries up to leave a non-sticky, very slick DRY lubricant
on the cable. DO NOT use oil !! The Dri-Slide container uses a long, thin
"hypodermic-style" wand to allow you to accurately direct the material into
the correct location. Be careful not to catch the end of the wand on
anything and spring it back. The resulting "twang" will spray black
lubricant all over everything !!! The resulting stains will be permanent."
"Ken Lyons" <1997MiataDriver@verizon,net > wrote in message
news:NVtQj.77$PY5.18@trnddc01...
> Wait! Only $95.50...that's better
>
> "Ken Lyons" <1997MiataDriver@verizon,net > wrote in message
> news:TUtQj.75$PY5.60@trnddc01...
>> >Can I stop by the next time I am in the DC area and have you help me
>> >install it?
>>>(Kidding)
>>>Regards,
>> Yeah, just wait the 3 months it will take me to get around to it so I
>> know what I'm doing. Pulling the instrument pod cover is going to be a
>> bear. After 18 years in the sun, the sucker is probably going to shatter.
>> Good thing Tommy has that part as well - NA01-55-420B-00 for only $99.50
>> (yikes!).
>> --
>> Ken Lyons '97 Brilliant Black/'90 Classic Red
>> Inside the Beltway
>>
Just found this on Miata,net ... perhaps we can both save the money and
effort of replacing the cable... though getting behind the instrument
cluster to do the following is probably more than half the battle in
replacing the entire cable...
"Just like a motorcycle control cable, the speedometer cable may need some
lubrication occasionally. Per the directions in the shop manual, remove the
instrument module containing the speed/tach/etc. Very gently roll the module
towards the steering wheel to expose the speedo cable's white plastic
connection to the back of the speedo head itself. Depress the small release
tab and remove the cable from the speedo.
Use a commercial product made for the motorcycle market called Dri-Slide.
This is a graphite-molybdenum disulfide compound that goes on wet and then
the liquid vehicle dries up to leave a non-sticky, very slick DRY lubricant
on the cable. DO NOT use oil !! The Dri-Slide container uses a long, thin
"hypodermic-style" wand to allow you to accurately direct the material into
the correct location. Be careful not to catch the end of the wand on
anything and spring it back. The resulting "twang" will spray black
lubricant all over everything !!! The resulting stains will be permanent."
Re: Rubbing from Instrument panel?
Chris & Ken,
FWIW, the instrument cluster is held in place by 4 screws. Once these
are out, the entire assembly can be pulled forward far enough to get to
the speedometer cable at the back of the assembly.
Running a new cable is not fun, but not too terrible a job.
I removed the instrument hood from a 1991 recently, and while the clip
broke off, it did not shatter.
The top portion is now being held in place with sticky putty, which is
quieter than the plastic clip that was there before and has been working
fine for a couple of months.
Good luck to ye both!
Pat
Chris & Ken,
FWIW, the instrument cluster is held in place by 4 screws. Once these
are out, the entire assembly can be pulled forward far enough to get to
the speedometer cable at the back of the assembly.
Running a new cable is not fun, but not too terrible a job.
I removed the instrument hood from a 1991 recently, and while the clip
broke off, it did not shatter.
The top portion is now being held in place with sticky putty, which is
quieter than the plastic clip that was there before and has been working
fine for a couple of months.
Good luck to ye both!
Pat
Re: Rubbing from Instrument panel?
pws <pwshelton@austin.rr,com > wrote:
> I would disconnect the speedometer cable at the transmission and
> zip-tie it out of the way.
Too time consuming, it would take me months to lose enough weight to
get under the Miata. Of course, others may not have that same
problem...
--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project:
http :// improve-usenet.org
pws <pwshelton@austin.rr,com > wrote:
> I would disconnect the speedometer cable at the transmission and
> zip-tie it out of the way.
Too time consuming, it would take me months to lose enough weight to
get under the Miata. Of course, others may not have that same
problem...
--
XS11E, Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project:
http :// improve-usenet.org
Re: Rubbing from Instrument panel?
XS11E wrote:
> Too time consuming, it would take me months to lose enough weight to
> get under the Miata. Of course, others may not have that same
> problem...
I got very ill and tried the starvation diet last year.
119 pounds at 5'9", still no go, it is just too low a car, plus I was
much too close to death to turn any wrenches. ;-)
I really gutted out and almost hit 150 pounds this winter. It took about
a week to drop back down to 140 once bike-riding weather set back in.
"They" said that my metabolism would slow down when I hit my 30's, they
were wrong.
Pat
XS11E wrote:
> Too time consuming, it would take me months to lose enough weight to
> get under the Miata. Of course, others may not have that same
> problem...
I got very ill and tried the starvation diet last year.
119 pounds at 5'9", still no go, it is just too low a car, plus I was
much too close to death to turn any wrenches. ;-)
I really gutted out and almost hit 150 pounds this winter. It took about
a week to drop back down to 140 once bike-riding weather set back in.
"They" said that my metabolism would slow down when I hit my 30's, they
were wrong.
Pat
Re: Rubbing from Instrument panel?
"pws" <pwshelton@austin.rr,com > wrote
>
> I really gutted out and almost hit 150 pounds this winter. It took about a
> week to drop back down to 140 once bike-riding weather set back in.
Pat, Pat, Pat (shaking head). Isn't it "bike-riding weather" in Austin all
year long?
--
Ken Lyons '97 Brilliant Black/'90 Classic Red
Inside the Beltway (which was frozen in February, but I still rode)
"pws" <pwshelton@austin.rr,com > wrote
>
> I really gutted out and almost hit 150 pounds this winter. It took about a
> week to drop back down to 140 once bike-riding weather set back in.
Pat, Pat, Pat (shaking head). Isn't it "bike-riding weather" in Austin all
year long?
--
Ken Lyons '97 Brilliant Black/'90 Classic Red
Inside the Beltway (which was frozen in February, but I still rode)
Re: Rubbing from Instrument panel?
Ken Lyons wrote:
> Pat, Pat, Pat (shaking head). Isn't it "bike-riding weather" in Austin all
> year long?
I get frostbite when I reach into the freezer. Even Texas winters take
me out, I think that I would have a hard time in a colder weather
environment.
On the other hand, riding in 100+ degree weather is not a problem as
long as there is plenty of water and sunscreen.
Just like with the Miata, night-time summer cruises are probably my
favorite type to take.
You are correct, however, in that the weather is not a good excuse to
stop riding.
The increased physical activity, at least for me, is one advantage of
the gas increases.
Pedal, hike and paddle versus using yet more gas driving cars and power
boats.
My total gas bill is lower than it was before the massive increases and
my cardiovascular system is loving it, with more endurance at 38 than I
had at age 30.
Of course, I am seeing the trickle-down expenses like anyone else.
The other good thing that I have noticed is that there are already less
pickups and SUV's on the road, which can only make me happy.
Pat
Ken Lyons wrote:
> Pat, Pat, Pat (shaking head). Isn't it "bike-riding weather" in Austin all
> year long?
I get frostbite when I reach into the freezer. Even Texas winters take
me out, I think that I would have a hard time in a colder weather
environment.
On the other hand, riding in 100+ degree weather is not a problem as
long as there is plenty of water and sunscreen.
Just like with the Miata, night-time summer cruises are probably my
favorite type to take.
You are correct, however, in that the weather is not a good excuse to
stop riding.
The increased physical activity, at least for me, is one advantage of
the gas increases.
Pedal, hike and paddle versus using yet more gas driving cars and power
boats.
My total gas bill is lower than it was before the massive increases and
my cardiovascular system is loving it, with more endurance at 38 than I
had at age 30.
Of course, I am seeing the trickle-down expenses like anyone else.
The other good thing that I have noticed is that there are already less
pickups and SUV's on the road, which can only make me happy.
Pat
Re: Rubbing from Instrument panel?
It is without a doubt your speedometer cable. Our 90's was easy to diagnose
because it would make all sorts of racket when cold. Right now it is pretty
quiet, but I ordered a replacement cable from Tommy at Finishline (part
number NA03-60-070 option: automatic) for $64.95. The speedometer needle has
been rock solid all this time.
--
Ken Lyons '97 Brilliant Black/'90 Classic Red
Inside the Beltway
It is without a doubt your speedometer cable. Our 90's was easy to diagnose
because it would make all sorts of racket when cold. Right now it is pretty
quiet, but I ordered a replacement cable from Tommy at Finishline (part
number NA03-60-070 option: automatic) for $64.95. The speedometer needle has
been rock solid all this time.
--
Ken Lyons '97 Brilliant Black/'90 Classic Red
Inside the Beltway
Re: Rubbing from Instrument panel?
"Ken Lyons" <1997MiataDriver@verizon,net > wrote in message
news:ZOtQj.72$PY5.44@trnddc01...
> It is without a doubt your speedometer cable. Our 90's was easy to
> diagnose
> because it would make all sorts of racket when cold. Right now it is
> pretty
> quiet, but I ordered a replacement cable from Tommy at Finishline (part
> number NA03-60-070 option: automatic) for $64.95. The speedometer needle
> has
> been rock solid all this time.
> --
> Ken Lyons '97 Brilliant Black/'90 Classic Red
> Inside the Beltway
>
Thanks Ken. I was afraid of that but I appreciate your insight. Would have
thought the needle would vibrate along with the noise but I suppose there is
enough delay in what it reports to mitigate the fluctuations. Can I stop by
the next time I am in the DC area and have you help me install it? (Kidding)
Regards,
"Ken Lyons" <1997MiataDriver@verizon,net > wrote in message
news:ZOtQj.72$PY5.44@trnddc01...
> It is without a doubt your speedometer cable. Our 90's was easy to
> diagnose
> because it would make all sorts of racket when cold. Right now it is
> pretty
> quiet, but I ordered a replacement cable from Tommy at Finishline (part
> number NA03-60-070 option: automatic) for $64.95. The speedometer needle
> has
> been rock solid all this time.
> --
> Ken Lyons '97 Brilliant Black/'90 Classic Red
> Inside the Beltway
>
Thanks Ken. I was afraid of that but I appreciate your insight. Would have
thought the needle would vibrate along with the noise but I suppose there is
enough delay in what it reports to mitigate the fluctuations. Can I stop by
the next time I am in the DC area and have you help me install it? (Kidding)
Regards,
