To add to what 1963SV2 says, I think it is dirt or the speedo cable causing it to bind. Try SLOWLY loosening the cable from the speedometer gradually - If the inner portion is too long, as you loosen, at some point the needle would drop. If you don't have an assistant, loosen the nut one turn at a time, checking each turn. If the needle spring was broken, the needle would have gone high and stayed there, but you report it sticking in various positions. I doubt it is broken.

Some really great help here Ian. You’ve been kind enough to offer me more troubleshooting technique ! I particularly like the notion that the transmission end of the speedo cable doesn’t have to be touched ( probably I’ll do a visual though ) and the dry graphite powder is great to know. Whatever the trouble, the graphite will be going in/on to help keep it working better for longer. Thanks and Cheers Ian, Darren.

I think its more likely that there's dirt/debris between the speedo drive and driven plates....  Once the car stops the cable is out of the system and the spring will return the driven plate (and attached needle) to zero.....unless something is preventing it.  (there is no mechanical connection between the cable and the speedo needle
 
However, you can check the cable by removing it from back of the speedo and trying to *gently* twist the inner cable.... maybe first check it actually has a square section on the end..  If its OK it won't turn... You can further check the cable by *gently* (there should be pretty much no resistance) drawing the inner cable out of the outer case.  It should not have any broken wires, bulges, whatever..  Replace it by (first coat it with dry graphite powder) sliding it back into the outer cable.  When it won't go any further, twist it and push it *gently* You will feel the bottom square end slide into the drive mechanism at the gearbox end as it engages...

You can clean the drive/driven plate gap but I think that's something you should leave to an expert... 

The cheap solution is to buy a simple GPS speedo and clip it to the dash...

Cheers, Ian

Quote “To quote a post all you need to do is look at the message you want to respond to and in the top right corner of that post will be a "quote post" tab. Click it. Quoting multiple posts is more difficult.”

I know that correct procedure, and for my first ~ 5 months on the forum the “quote “ button did nothing. And then one day about a month ago I tried it and it worked up until today. Now I’m back without the “quote “...I may have a ghost in my machine ( IPad ) but it’s easy to work around :)

Dan, once again your keen eyes have pointed out something important. 32 MPH instead of the 60 MPH that I thought it sat at , at all times. Better chances of a cheap ( or free with the appropriate tweeting of the speedo cable ) fix. I definitely agree with dk...this makes much more sense. Thanks.

Cheers, and thanks again for the help, Darren.

That makes much more sense.

Given that situation, loosen slightly the nut securing the cable to the back of the speedometer.  If the needle drops to zero and the gauge then functions "normally", you have a cable problem.  If the needle still hangs, the problem is most likely inside the speedometer.

According to a photo Darren took yesterday, the speedometer was reading about 32 mph while parked and off.

To quote a post all you need to do is look at the message you want to respond to and in the top right corner of that post will be a "quote post" tab.  Click it.  Quoting multiple posts is more difficult.



I'm sorry but that makes no sense at all.  The speedometer in a classic Mini is cable driven and there is nothing electrical about it apart from warning lights.  If the car is not moving the speedometer should not move.  Of course, you could have a car with a custom dashboard and aftermarket gauges.   Please look into the photo hosting sites and post pictures.

DOH ! I’ve lost my ability to quote again. Oh well, not a big deal as I can cut and paste if I wish. Thank you Don ( bluebox ) and dklawson. Your tips will set me of in the correct direction. That is often the hardest part when working on something new ( new to me in this case ). I now have troubleshooting method and know where the transmission end of the cable is too.

FWIW, the cable sits at 60 when the engine is turning, irregardless of wether I am moving in the car or stationary, but drops to zero when the ignition is turned off. Kind of indicates the more ( much more ) expensive fix, but I will be checking the cable over as suggested, and checking the ends too. Much appreciated guys!

Early this week ( Tuesday likely, as I need to try to line things up Monday) I will be moving my Mini ( tow truck as u-haul won’t allow their dollies haul an unplated car ) to a 10”x20”x10” storage place. One of the garage-door type of temporary storage places that many storage places now offer. This will make my list of necessary fixes happen quicker than using my brothers “tent” type of garage. A level cement floor for my jackstands plus a smooth floor for my creeper, and about 9”x8” of space for tools, a chair or two, etc. Plus I can unload my tools all at once and only once. So, things should start happening at a faster pace, and when I am ready, the Canadian Tire ( one of only two locations in Charlottetown that do these “special “ MVI’s on cars that have never been MVI’ed in Canada ) is only about a block away from this storage place. As I will need to check everything before this MVI takes place ( hope to pass it the first time ) the whole affair will make me more knowledgeable about my Mini. One more thing....the Mini will be dropped off at a quality muffler shop so that can all be fixed ( I want a resonator installed too ) before it is hauled to the storage place. At 180$ a month I think it is money well spent.

Thanks again gents, Darren. PS- if the speedo problem is in the instrument ( speedo ) , it will mean more money to fix, but because I have zero plans to sell, I want everything in top shape, so the money will be spent. Cheers mates !

The most common new cable issues are malformed ends of the cable and the cable being slightly too long for the sheath.  If the ends are malformed you typically have no needle motion.  If the cable is too long you can sometimes get a bound up needle.  If you loosen the top end from the speedometer (slightly) and the gauge functions normally, then the problem is most likely with the cable length.

A new cable was installed on the car but I have seen bad cables out of the box

When you say that the speedo sits at 60 MPH, do you mean just when the car is being driven OR do you mean this happens when you are sitting parked?

If the gauge is pegged at 60 while sitting still, unhook the cable at the top end as Bluebox suggested.  If the needle drops to the stop peg at zero, consider yourself lucky and try a new cable.  However, be prepared to find the gauge still reads 60 MPH.  If that happens, professional repair by a speedo shop is recommended.

Darren, when you are under your car working on your collector, the speedo cable entry connection is on the rad side of the gear box. Undo it and see if the inner cable is free to spin. If not reach in behind the carb and undo the other end of the cable. If need be you can replace the inner with a new one. Don't jump to the bigger and more expensive fix first. Check it out first. Cheers

Hi all. My speedo is WAY out of service... It sits at about 60 kph all the time. Time to grab the Haynes repair
manual I guess, then head over to the car and check it out. Unfortunately for me, I think the problem may
be in the Smiths gauge in the centre , and $$.
   I’ll soon know. 
     Derwood.