speedometer

[micbrody]

Hi, new to car and forum. I just purchased a 1981 Fiat 2000. Trying to fix some of the non-functioning stuff. One is the speedometer. When I drive,it does move, but only gets to the 20's in MPH. Needle also seems to bounce. I interpret this as the cable rotating; but probably something is stripped. Either the metal speedo gear attached to transmission; one of the cable ends being stripped; or the actual gauge being stripped or bad. I did see the cable tip at speedo gear, and it probably is the stripped end (not as square.... but still square) How do I know if the primary problem is the cable vs a bad metal gear on transmission speedo device vs. a jammed gauge linkage?

[azruss]

i've never seen the gear drive fail. you can remove the cable from the sheath and see if it is in one piece. You can pull the speedo and watch the cable with the rear axle on jack stands and see if it is spinning true.

[vandor]

I wonder if the cable is attached properly to the speedo. Very rare for anything to go bad other than the cable.