How do you replace the speedometer cable on a 1986 Honda Prelude?

Answer 1

Take the dash panel off under the steering column. There should be four 10mm bolts holding it in place. Then look reach up under the dash and your speedometer cable is connected to the left hand side of the instrument cluster when looking at the cluster. Towards the outside of the car if looking at the cluster from the bottom. The Cable is at least 3/8" thick and black. Grab it as close to the instrument cluster as possible and gently pull it out. Then open the hood and locate the cord underneath the windshield wiper motor. It may make it easier to remove the windshield wiper motor, but it's not critical. Find the cable and follow it. Keep following the cable through the engine bay disconnecting it from its little mounting points along the way until you get to the other end which is located on the back side of the transmission under the carbs. BEWARE the end that connects to the transmission has a small clip that holds it in place. Use a needle nose pliers or some other tool to remove this clip and place it in a safe place in case you need to use it again. Reach down and grasp the end as close to where it connects as you can and again gently pull on it until it comes out. Since both ends of the cable are now free, go back to the inside of the car by the instrument cluster and pull the cable all the way through the firewall from this side. Now that you have the old cable removed just reverse the process to install your new cable. The first time I replaced a speedometer cable on my 85 Prelude i lost my little clip and didn't install it. My speedometer still worked but it would stop working every once in a while for a mile or two. and good luck.

Tricks of the trade:

-Remove Wiper Motor for easy access to the firewall

-Remove air vent that is directly above speedometer cable in engine bay for easy access to that end of speedometer cable

-My speedometer cable broke directly at the end so to get the end out of the transmission, I used a magnet. The end popped right out.

-When ordering a new cable, measure the length of your existing one. I needed a 75" cable versus the 105" one.

-When putting the new cable in, you may have to finagle it to get it into the transmission. Keep working on it though, it'll go eventually.

-Good luck!