Uno Speedometer cable -- maintenance and refitting

As mentioned earlier, there are at least two main types of speedometer cable for the Uno, or at least two that I have encountered. Below are some pictures to compare them:


If your car requires the right-hand cable, i.e. with identically squared-off ends, then Fiat still stock this brand new, as a full assembly including cable and sheath, with the large grommet in position on the sheath. It comes ready greased, although I'd still recommend taking it out and applying grease yourself, to ensure that it is definitely well lubricated.

Unfortunately, if like mine your car requires the other "key"-ended type of cable, then this is no longer available from Fiat, and your best bet is to find an Uno at a local scrappy and remove the cable yourself. To be honest, whichever cable you need, it's probably better to check your scrapyard first anyway, as for £25 inc. VAT from Fiat (at time of writing), you could probably do a bit better for your pocket by looking for a second hand one... I got mine for £3.

Of course, when picking up a used cable, inspect it to make sure that it is the correct type, and also make sure it's in good condition. You may find that you can simply take a used cable and put it back into your car's original sheath, but it's worthwhile picking up the whole assembly from the scrapyard while you're there, because we all know what it's like to get home and discover that you need to go back for the rest!


Removing/refitting cable/sheath assembly:

If there's no avoiding the replacement of the full sheath assembly, then again, it's not really a difficult task, just awkward.

1. Disconnect both ends of the cable as per the instructions on the previous pages.
2. Disconnect the rear washer fluid hose from the washer fluid reservoir in the engine bay. The tap on the tank can be plugged with blue-tac or similar. Remove the one-way valve (if fitted) from the hose, to ensure that the hose can be pulled out through the grommet later without any resistance.
   
   
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3. From inside the passenger side footwell (driver's side in LHD cars), unclip the hard outer shell of the grommet from the bulkhead surround.
   
   
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4. (*In RHD cars) From the same position, begin to pull the speedometer end of the cable through from behind the dashboard/heater matrix. Surplus cable can then be pushed through the bulkhead into the engine bay. Coax the cable through behind the dashboard; you may need to push from the bay behind the speedometer clocks.
5. Once the cable is free inside the car, simply pull the remainder out from the engine bay. In doing so, remove the grommet from the end of the rear washer fluid hose.

Refitting is, as they say, the reverse of removal. Just ensure that there is plenty of slack inside the cab to start off with, to help thread the cable back over the heater matrix and to easily plug back into the speedo clocks unit. I found it easier to reconnect this end first. Don't pull the cable tight around corners, particularly the bulkhead grommet!

Also remember to push the washer fluid hose through the grommet again as you put the grommet back in place. On brand new assemblies a hole must be punched in the rubber, through which to thread the hose.

When refitting the cable to the gearbox, pull the cable out a little way first to ensure it sits well in the top of the gearbox. Then slide down the outer metal rim of the sheath, followed finally by the threaded cap. This ensures a good connection and avoids twisting the cable at its end.

Good luck!