84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

Ive heard that its a square cable that goes between the sensor to the rear of the trans for the speedo(pics shown). My local parts store has no idea what im talking about and it would help if i knew what the part looked like and what it is called. Lets go into some details, the car is a 84 firebird with the 700r4 trans, I have the main speedo cable that hooks from the speedo to this odd looking sensor(pictured), the there should be that other cable that connects to the sensor to the transmission. Please any help is wanted, need to find this part asap.

Thanks

Bo


(Sensor shown to the left, transmission connection shown to the right.)

Apeiron

The sensor itself is aftermarket. You'll need a really short speedometer cable to connect it. Different applications use them to connect external ratio adapters and such.

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

Will a regualur cable fit on there if i just coil it up? Also why would somebody add a aftermarket sensor like that? Or could i just bypass that sensor with a longer speedo cable?

Apeiron

Not sure what that sensor would be for. Maybe something like a TCC controller, or an aftermarket cruise control. Is your car still computer controlled?

In any case, if you don't need it, just take it out and screw the cable directly into the transmission.

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

No its got the carbed 2.8, also i tried to make the that cable reach but its a foot short. Also does anyone know if all speedo cables are universal?

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

Bump, please guys, i need this fix asap

Apeiron

They're pretty much universal.

My diesel 93 Dodge Ram has a short cable like that to an external ratio adapter, might be a place to start.

8492bird

If you can take the part to a transmission shop and ask them. They probably have the cable you are looking for or can order it. They can also tell you what that part is and whether you need it or not. Do you still have 14" wheels on the car? it might be an external gear adapter for the speedo if you have larger wheels.

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

The car now has 15inch wheels, Ill probaly have to do that and take it in, but i might try to do it myself first. It sucks not haveing a speedo. Also this sensor thing has a braided wire following the main speedo cable.

8492bird

I did'nt mean to let the tranny shop do the work - most of the good shops will be glad to help identify the part (if you get the "bring it in and we'll take a look" response - run). Take your pictures with you if you can't get the part off without cutting the wires.

BTW- after searching the web I'm pretty sure that part is called a "ratio adapter". You just need a short speedo cable to connect from the part to the tranny.

Apeiron

It doesn't look like a ratio adapter to me, though. Ratio adapters aren't straight through, they're offset for the gears, and they don't have wires hanging out of them. That's some kind of sensor.

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

Well im going to check the salvage yard this weekend and see what i can find, any cars in particular i should look at for cables? Hopefully there all universal...i hope. Id remove that sensor but then id have to rip apart my guage cluster(to lazy) and install a longer cable. I hope i can find a cable there. Will any size work?

8492bird

I'm not a tranny expert or anything - it's just that the sites that did sell ratio adapters all had straight through adapters as well as the offset. Most of the sites stated the primary use was when changing the rear end gear ratio but I suppose if you put bigger wheels on a car the adapters could also correct the speedo reading.

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

I did notice while working under the dash that theres this little box with some wires plugged in it, says something about automatic transmission and has a few leds lights on it? Have no idea what it is for. maybe ill post a pic later.

Apeiron

Probably a B&M TCC lockup kit.

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

Heres another pic of that sensor thing.

8492bird

look for gm vehicles at the JY. The speedo cables should all be the same for GM vehicles from similar years. If you're just looking for a short cable I'd guess that the FWD vehicles use shorter cables.

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

It said something like oem automatic transmission something like that, it had lights on it like power on and stuff but they didnt light up at all. ill have to get pics later, these people who owned it before me sure hacked the car up. lol

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

Thats my plan for the weekend, im trying to fix this 84 up to make it atleast road worthy, i called the local master transmission and there estimate on installing a cable is $100. Thats more than i want to pay so its a diy project.lol

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

oops, double post

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

Btw, the cable that comes from the cable doesnt look like itll reach the tranny, if i were to order a new cable what size length would i need to buy? I keep getting all different sizes. Im also going to bypass that sensor and the cruise control and run it from the speedo to the tranny.

Apeiron

Just go to the parts store and ask for it by application for your car.

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

I tried a few places and they keep giving me different sizes, also something about a upper and lower cable??? Then other places say that the 82-83 had upper and lower cables, not 84's. i suppose it would hurt to get the 80in cable, thats almost 8ft

Apeiron

If your car has cruise control, there are two cables. The lower one is from the transmission to the cruise control, and the upper one is from the cruise to the speedometer.

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

It has cruise, where exactly do these cables meet?

Apeiron

At the cruise control unit, under the hood on the driver side.

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

Ill check it out tonight. Maybe less work.lol

84'Firebird

iTrader: (1)

Hey yall, just got my speedo working again, i just bypassed the sensor and hooked it up to the tranny. Thank you guys for all the help.