Technical Cinquecento Speedo Cable Replacement

[Cinq83]

Hi all - I have lurked around for a while but never posted because all the information I have needed has been in old threads, and I don't have enough knowledge to help others!

I am wondering if someone can give me some help though. The top half of my speedo cable broke recently, and after ordering one incorrect cable (a one piece that didn't fit my old instrument cluster) I then ordered the correct top half based on the chassis number. I took it to get fitted however they said it is too short (which looking at the one it has replaced is true, plus I tried myself and it doesn't reach).

I ordered it from Ricambio who were incredible helpful - the guy said that the chances are someone replaced the cables with incorrect ones which is why the lengths don't match up, so I have ordered a new bottom half now, which means I should have 100% the correct set up for my car.

Basically... what is the best way to fit it? Firstly I am assuming I need to jack the car up to attach the bottom to the gearbox, is this easy enough? Also, how does the cable route to the dash? The old one seemed to go through the bulkhead in front of the passenger seat, go down and run along underneath the dash and then up to the dials, which seems a very long winded design. I would have thought it were much simpler to just go through the bulkhead behind the speedo but there doesn't seem to be a hole there.

Any help would be very much appreciated, thank you

 

[rallycinq]

You can access the cable from the top, without jacking the car up.

The cable should go in through the passenger side but should go along behind the dash to the cluster.

Cheers

SPD

 

[Cinq83]

You can access the cable from the top, without jacking the car up.

The cable should go in through the passenger side but should go along behind the dash to the cluster.

Cheers

SPD

I was afraid of that - looks like a tight squeeze to try and get it across to the cluster! I've read a couple of people have drilled a hole through the bulkhead behind the cluster to make it easier so i guess that is the back up if I can't get it through.

Thanks for the reply

 

[rallycinq]

I've read a couple of people have drilled a hole through the bulkhead behind the cluster to make it easier so i guess that is the back up if I can't get it through.

Thanks for the reply

Thats the way I've done it.

Cheers

SPD

 

[Cinq83]

I might do that instead then - did you need to get a grommet for the hole or does it not really matter? Thanks for all the help

 

[rallycinq]

Grommet is a good idea, although I think the speedo cable will have one on it.

Cheers

SPD

 

[Cinq83]

Ah yes you are right, it does, my bad! Now to cut a hole the correct size...

Cheers for the advice

 

[ycming]

Is this an 899 ? IS you are going to drill a hole, i would recommend using the 1 piece cable ?

Ming

 

[Cinq83]

Yes it is, although the old instrument cluster. To be honest I already bought one incorrect one piece cable, a new top half and a new bottom half so I don't want to spend out again on yet another cable, it has been doing my head in

 

[ycming]

is just that the 899 cable is really really long, and if u take a direct route, there will alot of useless cable and i am not too sure if this will affect anything,.

It is different from a sporting as they both route differently and is not hard at all kinda goes like this.

Out from the cluster, goes down towards the footwell then comes up again the passenger side then out to the engine bay then down to gear box.

 

[ycming]

Actually if u cover just the postage, if i can send u a 899 cluster with the correct 1 piece cable.

Ming

 

[Cinq83]

That's really kind of you mate - I am going to have a bash with the 2 piece over the weekend and if it is a nightmare or looks like the two piece will have problems I'll send you a message next week. Thanks a lot

 

[ycming]

no problem at all, and rhe cluster i got kicking about also have a water temp guage, does your have that?

Thanks
Ming