Should the speedometer cable spin freely in the transmission?

[Myasylum]

I just bought new autometer gauges that came with a new speed sensor. It will not calibrate. I checked down below at the transmission and the "cable" just spins freely. The stock speedometer didnt work before either, I assumed it was the speedometer, perhaps it's the speedometer gear in the transmission not spinning?

 

[4mulas]

Have you pulled the gear to see what it looks like? If not do that and report back

 

[moparmarks]

Should not spin. Gear may not be adjusted right.

 

[Jerry Hall]

If it spins freely, then the speedometer gear is not engaged with the transmission gears. As @4mulas said check that first. Also the speedometer gear has to be clocked correctly for the gear to engage.

 

[dan juhasz]

get ready to catch some fluid when you pull it out

 

[Myasylum]

Here you go! How does this get clocked correctly?

 

[Jerry Hall]

I think it's explained in the service manual. I insert it back into the transmission and rotate the assembly until it no longer turns freely, then I look at the marks on the outside of the assembly and continue to rotate until it lines up with a mark on the transmission case. It's been a lot of years, so this is by my memory.

 

[Myasylum]

Yep! I got it! Thanks!

 

[dan juhasz]

Count the teeth, the housing shows multiple choices of tooth counts. Little arrow on the tail shaft housing at 6 o’clock to line it up. Is it just the picture the teeth look funny on the output shaft.?

 

[kiwigtx]

The outer body of the speedometer pinion holder has three ranges of tooth counts. Line up the slot nearest the appropriate count number and lock the housing down.

A spinning cable could also mean a broken cable.