Last summer I noticed my speedo cable came loose from where it connects to the head/speedometer panel. I just screwed it back in and all was well, for a while.

Now I notice that on cold days, it won't work at all. The odometer and tach work just fine, but the speed doesn't. If it's a warm day, however, (60's or above), it will start working again and give me the speed. Usually it doesn't work in the morning (cold), but in the afternoon it does (warm).

What gives?

Also, is it okay to put locktite on the speedo cable to keep it in?

If the odometer is working, the cable is transmitting the rotation, as intended.

The speedometer works on electrical induction, which is not a solid linkage.
Being that way, it may not be able to overcome the viscosity of any grease in the mechanism.

Proper torque should be enough to keep that nut in place; I wouldn't use Loctite.

no loctite

The speedometer works on electrical induction, which is not a solid linkage.
Being that way, it may not be able to overcome the viscosity of any grease in the mechanism.

So should I not lube the cable where it connects?

...The speedometer works on electrical induction, which is not a solid linkage.


Don't you mean the tach?

So should I not lube the cable where it connects?

Pull out the inner cable and inspect it. Then lube it to see if it fixes the problem. If it does not, the issue may be the speedo gauge gearing itself.

Pull out the inner cable and inspect it. Then lube it to see if it fixes the problem. If it does not, the issue may be the speedo gauge gearing itself.

Got it, thanks!

So should I not lube the cable where it connects?

Yes, lube everywhere you can reach.
I was talking about the factory grease that goes inside the mechanism, where you cannot reach.

Don't you mean the tach?

No, I did mean the speedometer. :)

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/how-speedometer-works.html