SPEEDOMETER NOISE OR NEEDLE FLUTTER (INSTALL NEW CABLE)

SUBJECT: SPEEDOMETER NOISE OR NEEDLE FLUTTER (INSTALL NEW SPEEDOMETER CABLE)

VEHICLES AFFECTED: 1984 "C" AND 1985-1989 "D" MODEL YEAR(S)

Some 1984-1989 Broughams may experience speedometer noise or needle flutter usually between 50-80Km/Hr (30 and 50 mph). This condition may be caused by excessive resistance to rotation of the speedometer cable resulting from kinks or bends. NOTE: The speedometer head may also be the source of noise or needle flutter. A new speedometer cable, P/N 3636399, is available that has a more flexible outer housing and specially designed inner core to eliminate speedometer noise and needle flutter. Due to the nature of this cable it requires special installation instructions (below) which must be followed.

Speedometer Gable installation procedure:

1. Remove old speedometer cable. Attach a wire to the dash side of the old cable before removing to use as a guide when installing the new cable.

2. Remove inner core from new speedometer cable. Protect the inner core from contamination and kinking.

3. Route new cable housing and attach housing at the transmission. Care must be taken to avoid sharp bends in cable routing.

4. Lubricate inner core with a light coating of Lubriplate(R) or equivalent.

NOTE: Use of a heavy lubricant or excessive amounts of lubricant may cause speedometer noise or needle flutter.

5. Feed inner core through cable housing from the inside of the vehicle.

6. Put one wrap of electrical tape or other thin tape on the speedometer neck. Refer to Figure 1.

7. Install cable onto speedometer head then gently pull the cable away from the head to eliminate compression of the inner core.

8. Reinstall speedometer head.

9. Adjust underbody cable routing to take up slack and ease bends in cable.

Labour Operation: N4429

Labour Time: .7 hour

General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.