1979 plymouth volare speedometer cable

79Volare

Member
Joined
May 13, 2025
Messages
14
Reaction score
5
Location
Connecticut
hey all, i have a 1979 plymouth volare, A998 transmission (or so ive been told atleast, idk if it matters for this), ive seen a lot of diff posts about it but ive heard that 79's can be different from other 79's or so i figured i'd just ask, what kind of speedometer cable do i need/where can i find one?
My speedometer hasnt worked since i bought the car (nothing on the instrument cluster has but i mainly wanna fix speedometer and fuel gauge right now) taking it off the wire got pulled out of its housing, wouldnt go back in, and pulled all the way out, i dont have cruise control, and idk what length i need or where it connects to the transmission, though i can follow the wire tomorrow i still gotta find out what wire i need to buy, what i pulled out measured 62 inches inches (give or take a inch or 2) all the ones i can find online are 40, 80, and 81 inches but im 90% sure because it isnt the full wire and just the inside of it its gonna be shorter, i still have it out and can take more pictures of it if anyone needs

Screenshot_20251004_201555_Gallery.jpg


20251004_175729.jpg


20251004_175859.jpg
 
It connects on the front portion of the tail housing on the driver's side. I don't think you need a new one. There should be single bolt on a semi-circular hold down holding in the gear holder. Unbolt it and pull it out. There is a clip that holds the gear on. pull that clip and pull off the gear. If the gear is bad, replace it with the same teeth count. Put the "wire" back in, it should go all the way now. Put the gear back on, you may need to turn it to align with the "wire". Put the clip back on. Count the teeth on the gear, write it down. When you put the gear holder back in, you will notice three sets of number ranges. Those are different positions for the different size gears. Find the range that your gear falls in. That one should be upright and the other two not. If not positioned right, the speedo may not work right away. Or, it may work for a while until the gear goes bad from only being partially engaged.
 
The later plastic mopar speedometer gears are getting harder and harder to find. You might not find the right one with the right number of teeth.

You can convert it to an older style housing and gear if you have to, but you'll have to change the cable out also.

Maybe you'll get lucky and someone will have already changed the housing and gear out for the older style. There's still aftermarket support for the older style.

Pics of the older metal style vs the later plastic style that i stole off the internet:IMG_5461.jpeg20201010_114057.jpgimages (17).jpegimages (18).jpeg
 
It connects on the front portion of the tail housing on the driver's side. I don't think you need a new one. There should be single bolt on a semi-circular hold down holding in the gear holder. Unbolt it and pull it out. There is a clip that holds the gear on. pull that clip and pull off the gear. If the gear is bad, replace it with the same teeth count. Put the "wire" back in, it should go all the way now. Put the gear back on, you may need to turn it to align with the "wire". Put the clip back on. Count the teeth on the gear, write it down. When you put the gear holder back in, you will notice three sets of number ranges. Those are different positions for the different size gears. Find the range that your gear falls in. That one should be upright and the other two not. If not positioned right, the speedo may not work right away. Or, it may work for a while until the gear goes bad from only being partially engaged.
yep i see it now thanks, gonna work on getting it off its just in a annoying spot and i cant find the right stuff to fit it rn so im taking a break, in the mean time i might look online to find a new cable/places that sell them just incase it is broken because idk where to look at a l l
 
The later plastic mopar speedometer gears are getting harder and harder to find. You might not find the right one with the right number of teeth.

You can convert it to an older style housing and gear if you have to, but you'll have to change the cable out also.

Maybe you'll get lucky and someone will have already changed the housing and gear out for the older style. There's still aftermarket support for the older style.

Pics of the older metal style vs the later plastic style that i stole off the internet:View attachment 56943View attachment 56944View attachment 56945View attachment 56946
ooo thanks that helps a ton, looking at the different top on them i think i do have the plastic one, other than teeth changes and fully confirming its plastic, would i just be able to buy a new speedometer gear with same amount of teeth, then a speedometer cable to fit that old style metal gear? or do i have to do something else? assuming the plastic one on it right now is broken
 
ooo thanks that helps a ton, looking at the different top on them i think i do have the plastic one, other than teeth changes and fully confirming its plastic, would i just be able to buy a new speedometer gear with same amount of teeth, then a speedometer cable to fit that old style metal gear? or do i have to do something else? assuming the plastic one on it right now is broken
You can use whatever plastic speedo gear you can find, it will throw off the accuracy of the speedometer if you can't find one with the right number of teeth though.

To switch to the old style, you need the old style housing, the old style speedo gear, and the old style speedometer cable
 
The query has been answered, but to see the details of both style speedometer cable/cable adapter/pinion gear setups at a glance, refer to the following image:
speedo_compare.jpg


Note that the new style is listed as '77-'79, but it extended into later years.

Document page is from Direct Connection Racing Bulletin/Tune-Up Tip #19, part number P4007921, March 1979.


 
The query has been answered, but to see the details of both style speedometer cable/cable adapter/pinion gear setups at a glance, refer to the following image:
View attachment 56948

Note that the new style is listed as '77-'79, but it extended into later years.

Document page is from Direct Connection Racing Bulletin/Tune-Up Tip #19, part number P4007921, March 1979.


That picture answers it a lot better than I did! Thanks!
 
The query has been answered, but to see the details of both style speedometer cable/cable adapter/pinion gear setups at a glance, refer to the following image:
View attachment 56948

Note that the new style is listed as '77-'79, but it extended into later years.

Document page is from Direct Connection Racing Bulletin/Tune-Up Tip #19, part number P4007921, March 1979.


yupp I forgot to respond but that helps so so much thank you
 
Back
Top