Trip odometer cable

[bobs77]

Anyone know of a source for a trip odometer cable for a '77 Z? No mention of it in MSA or VB.

I haven't pulled the speedo to verify, but I'm guessing the tip of the cable is broken. When I turn the reset knob I can feel the cable moving, but the trip odo doesn't change.

Thanks,

Bob

[EScanlon]

Might just be the screw that holds it onto the shaft that exits the speedo.

FWIW

[Virto]

I know I have to spin my knob several times to reset the odo.

Wick Humble mentions the cable in "How to restore your Datsun Z-Car" but I left it at the office. I'll take a peek tomorrow and see if it says anything.

[bobs77]

Thanks guys. I looked at my copy of Wick's book and the FSM for back up. I'll take a look at the set screw--I might get lucky.

[bobs77]

Enrique, you hit it on the head. I pulled the tach out and saw the end of the reset cable dangling 3 inches away from the speedo. No set screw in sight.

I tried to remove the other end of the cable so I could take it to a hardware store to find a set screw, but no luck. According to the FSM there is a screw holding the cable end to the dash, but I can't get to that screw without taking off the dash. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Bob

[EScanlon]

The Knob for the Odometer is pressed onto the shaft of the cable. Just pull down on the knob head, and it should come right off. (It is a TIGHT fit, but not screwed, nor otherwise locked onto the shaft.)

HTH

Enrique

[bobs77]

I got the knob off, the problem is the cable is attached to the dash by a screw. Getting access to that screw is the issue--it's buried in the back of the dash. I tried using a mirror to locate the screw, but couldn't see it. I ran my finger along the cable to try to feel the screw head but still no luck. I don't want to pull the dash just to get to this screw.

Any other suggestions?

Bob

FSM of reset cable.pdf

[EScanlon]

Couldn't open your .pdf.

If I recall properly, there is NO screw holding the odometer shaft. Just push UP on the shaft end AFTER you've removed the knob.

I'll check my FSM as well, but don't recall a screw holding that shaft in place except at the speedo.

E

I finally got your .pdf opened and that's when I remembered the change in position for the 77's from the earlier. You are correct, you need to remove the screw shown in the manual.

The only way I can think of having done this on other cars is to use a 90° ratcheting screwdriver, to allow me to keep the bit in the screw with my thumb and use the other fingers to wiggle the ratchet.

E

[bobs77]

I was thinking the same thing. I thought if I could feel the screw head or see it with a mirror I could get a screwdriver on it, but I couldn't do either. Maybe if I can remove the potentiometer for the dash lights (the nut that holds it in place is buried too) I'll be able to get to the screw. If not I'll buy different sizes of the smallest metric set screws I can find and maybe I'll get lucky.

Thanks anyway.

Bob

[kenmataya]

just had the same problem, got a hold of some m2-0.5 x 6 socket head screws off of ebay, shortened it to about 4mm length - much easier to get a hex key into the socket than using a screw driver.