1997 ZX speedometer

FrenchLeave · Post by **FrenchLeave** » 19 Apr 2009, 17:34

The speedo on our ZX occasionally doesn't give any reading, but on the next startup it works fine. According to Haynes it has a mechanical drive with the cable break point in the engine bay on the left hand side of the scuttle.

Every instinct about its behaviour tells me it's electrical, when working the needle is smooth and steady and the total on/off behaviour is not compatible with cable drive. Also there is no sign of a speedo cable entering the left side of the scuttle - or anywhere else for that matter.

Could the experts please confirm whether it's mechanical or electric and if it is electric, where the auto gearbox drive and cable connectors are. At 76 years old I don't want to dive under the car until I know what I'm looking for.

I can dismantle the instrument panel on my XMs inside a half hour but for some reason I'm not happy about the ZX!

Thanks in advance,

Derek

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 19 Apr 2009, 21:29

if it is an electronic speedo, you will find the a unit (transducer) with a plug conector were a speedo cable would normaly fit into the top of the diff houseing, this type usualy suffer with bad conection's at the plug, the easyest fix is remove the transducer from the diff houseing, clean the terminals, grease them and re/fit it,

if you have flexable wrists you should be able to do get to it from under the bonnet as it is just at the rear of the head/block gear box end of engine

regards malcolm

Post by **Peter.N.** » 19 Apr 2009, 21:57

On the XM its often caused by dry joints on the facia panel around the pins of the red plug, dont know if the ZX is the same, we have one but have not experienced that problem.

Have you found the new XM forum Derek?

FrenchLeave · Post by **FrenchLeave** » 19 Apr 2009, 23:17

Thank you Malcolm, I'll see what I can find tomorrow.

Yes Peter, I've registered. I've also posted on Assiefrogs (I'm a tadpole!) to let Craig, Shane and anyone else interested know about Ciaran's sterling efforts.

Derek

uncle buck · Post by **uncle buck** » 21 Apr 2009, 20:49

As far as I'm aware none of the ZX range had an electronic speedo, they were all cable driven mechanical units...weren't they

Post by **Peter.N.** » 21 Apr 2009, 20:55

Could well be - mine's never gone wrong.