mystery rumbling noise behind dash

[brad360]

I have a rumbling noise that comes and goes, it doesn't seem to correspond to any particular activity.

I thought the speedo was electronic, or is it driven by a cable that needs lubrication?

The sound is not unlike a speedo cable sound I had on an antique car, 1954 Morris Minor, fixed with some oil.

Or maybe there's a rat inside the air vents, chewing at things from time to time....

[jtbo]

I have a rumbling noise that comes and goes, it doesn't seem to correspond to any particular activity.

I thought the speedo was electronic, or is it driven by a cable that needs lubrication?

The sound is not unlike a speedo cable sound I had on an antique car, 1954 Morris Minor, fixed with some oil.

Or maybe there's a rat inside the air vents, chewing at things from time to time....

Speedo is not electronic, cable connects to front wheel. If speedo needle jumps up and down with sound then cable could be near end of it's life, but putting some oil in it might not hurt anything.

Instrument cluster is not too difficult to remove, you can see idea from here:
http://www.janiervast.com/gallery2/disp ... =10&pos=10
Two screws hold metal list at top and front of instrument cluster, you need to remove that and then you need to remove interior panel below dashboard so that you can disconnect two cable plugs one each side of instrument cluster, once done that you can disconnect speedo cable (push and turn) after that turn instrument cluster 90 degrees and pull it out trough steering wheel opening.
I guess that is easiest way to get access to speedo cable for lubrication, from wheel's end it could be bit more problematic and they have tendency to become loose at wheel's end too.

[brad360]

Thanks,

The needle does jump up and down a bit.

This could be a chance to sort out the dash lights that come and go?

Is there one particular thingy that comes loose to be looking for?

[jtbo]

Thanks,

The needle does jump up and down a bit.

This could be a chance to sort out the dash lights that come and go?

Is there one particular thingy that comes loose to be looking for?

I would think that it is only connections of bulbs and instrument panel circuit 'board', when you take them out you will find out that bulbs have small plastic frame and also you see connectors, two of them at each bulb, you then need to carefully bend these small metal parts so that they will have solid contact when bulbs are attached to instrument panel.

Wise call is to renew all bulbs while you are at it, cost is not too big and it is very easy to do.

That was what sorted problems on mine, it has quite big effect on how solid car feels actually

[MJ]

I believe graphite lubricant or something should be used for the spedo cable. What's the problem with all the dash lights, do they all not work at times? It could be one of the multiplugs behind the panel, accessible from below if you remove the panel above the drivers legs