# Speedometer needle waivers

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/speedometer-needle-waivers/15318>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [June 14, 2008, 3:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/speedometer-needle-waivers/15318 "2008-06-14T15:53:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![andysnowflake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@andysnowflake](https://community.cartalk.com/u/andysnowflake)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 3:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/speedometer-needle-waivers/15318/1 "2008-06-14T15:53:00Z")

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I own a 1996 Ford Windstar with 143,000 miles on it (trips to Alaska to work for summer and trips across the country). I replaced the alternator 8 months ago on the last drive down from AK…  
  
 I never know what speed I am going if I exceed 40mph - the needle flips around too much.

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**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2008, 4:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/speedometer-needle-waivers/15318/2 "2008-06-14T16:08:36Z")

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Lube or replace the cable from the trans to the speedometer.

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**Author:** ![meaneyedcatz](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/meaneyedcatz/32/692_2.png) [@meaneyedcatz](https://community.cartalk.com/u/meaneyedcatz)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2008, 3:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/speedometer-needle-waivers/15318/3 "2008-06-15T03:24:49Z")

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There is no cable from the speedo to the trans. It was discontinued back when Moses crossed the Red Sea. OK, I’m exagerating.

I can’t tell you what the problem is but I have an 03 junkstar that the dealer has put 4 clusters in and the speedo still jumps. Not bad but it should not happen.

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**Author:** ![Craig58](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3da27b/32.png) [@Craig58](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Craig58)\
**Post date:** [June 15, 2008, 3:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/speedometer-needle-waivers/15318/4 "2008-06-15T03:28:16Z")

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Yup, it’s more likely that this car has an electronic speed sensor which can have the same effect when it fails.