Speedometer Cable - Ticking or Squealing Noise

91ford21

Article No.
91-12-2

06/12/91

^ INSTRUMENT PANEL - "TICKING" OR "SQUEALING" SOUND FROM SPEEDOMETER HEAD OR CABLE

^ SPEEDOMETER - "TICKING" OR "SQUEALING" FROM SPEEDOMETER HEAD OR CABLE

^ NOISE - "TICKING" OR "SQUEALING" IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AREA FROM THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD OR CABLE

FORD:
1991 ESCORT

LINCOLN-MERCURY:
1991 TRACER

This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to ensure proper diagnosis of the speedometer cable assembly.

ISSUE:
A "ticking" or "squealing" sound from the instrument panel area may be caused by a noisy speedometer cable.

ACTION:
Install a new design speedometer cable only after proper diagnosis has been performed and confirms the noise is caused by the speedometer cable. Refer to the following procedure for service details.

1. Test drive the vehicle at highway speeds to verify that a "ticking" or "squealing" noise is present. If noise is present, continue to step 2.

NOTE:
IF THE SPEEDOMETER MAKES A GRINDING NOISE ALONG WITH THE POINTER EITHER PEGGING HIGH OR WANDERING BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD MAY BE DEFECTIVE. IF THIS CONDITION IS FOUND, REPLACE THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD BY FOLLOWING THE PROCEDURES IN THE 1991 ESCORT/TRACER SHOP MANUAL, SECTION 13-02.

2. Disconnect the speedometer cable housing from the speedometer driven gear/speed sensor assembly by pulling upward on the cable housing.

3. Test drive the vehicle and recheck for the noise.

CAUTION:
BE SURE THAT THE SPEEDOMETER CABLE IS NOT IN CONTACT WITH ANY HOT OR ROTATING COMPONENTS.

a. If the noise is still present, the speedometer cable and/or speedometer head are NOT the cause of the noise. Continue with the diagnosis of other components or systems. Reconnect the speedometer and check for proper operation.

b. If the noise is gone, replace the speedometer cable with the new service Speedometer Cable (F1CZ-9A820-A) following the remainder of this procedure.

4. Disconnect the speedometer cable from the speedometer head by reaching up behind the instrument cluster and releasing the cable retainer.

5. Disconnect the speedometer cable from the clip at the lower corner of the battery tray and remove the cable from the engine compartment.

6. Install the new speedometer cable. (Use reverse order of removal procedure.)

NOTE:
BE SURE TO CONNECT THE CABLE TO THE SPEEDOMETER HEAD FIRST BECAUSE IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE THE CABLE IN THE SPEED SENSOR.

7. Test drive the vehicle to verify proper speedometer operation.

PART NUMBER PART NAME CLASS

F1CZ-9A820-A Speedo Cable Assembly. B
F0CZ-17255-C Speedometer Head (120 MPH B
with 1.8L - U.S.)
F0CZ-17255-A Speedometer Head (85 MPH B
with 1.9L - U.S.)
F0CZ-17255-D Speedometer Head (200 KM/h ZC
with 1.8L - Canada)
F0CZ-17255-B Speedometer Head (140 KM/h ZC
with 1.9L - Canada)


OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
SUPERSEDES: 91-8-7
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Basic Warranty
Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
911202A Diagnose And Replace 0.5 Hr.
Speedometer Cable Only
911202B Diagnose And Replace 0.8 Hr.
Speedometer Head Only
DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
17260 56
OASIS CODES: 204000, 702000