Whirring sound behind instrument panel 71 280 sl.

[akessel56]

So, in the endless array of 280sl problems. All of a sudden when I am driving and it a bump, I get a whirring (fluttering) sound with the pitch increasing with speed. When I stop, it goes away. Sometimes to come back but usually not until next time I drive the car.

I'm suspicious that this has something to do with the odometer which has begun working again (it's an on and off thing)

Add this to the fuel smell issue and my instrument panel lights not coming on (again - the twisting back and forth of the rheostat doesn't help this time)., and the transmission being jumpy .....  I need a good 71 280 sl guy to help.

Anyone want to come to arkansas for a trip and help straighten my car out? I can offer the use of our river house on the little red river as an enticement. Great trout fishing spot!

Thanks, Andy

[w113dude]

Hi Andy,

My guess would be a transmission problem, have you checked transmission fluid?

[akessel56]

No,  but it sounds awfully close for transmission. Like its my side of firewall.
I'm thinking it might be the speedometer cable.

[w113NY]

yep, sounds like the speedo cable. it can be super loud sometimes. I've gotten it on my w123 as well. cheers

[akessel56]

So how does one fix this?

[w113NY]

New speedo cable I think.

[Garry]

I would pull the inner from the old one from below first and clean and re-oil and refit before spending monies on a new one.

Do a search on the forum on how to remove the inner cable.

Garry

[Jonny B]

You may also be having some issues with the gears inside the speedo. On my 250 SL, when I was still in Ohio, the speedo would squeel like crazy and the needle would jump. This was usually in cold weather. Then it started happening even after I moved to SoCal. I had the gears checked/replaced - smooth as silk.

Speedo cable is good place to start, try the easier stuff first.

Repair cost was ~US$ 240 including shipping/handling to a guy here in San Diego.

[49er]

Mine started chirping at around 30K miles and around 40mph. Cold aggravates it but usually stops after a few miles. Never have lubed the speedo cable so I am adding that to my spring "things to do list"

John

[Benz Dr.]

I've found that in almost all cases it's the main shaft on the speedo or tach. This is the one with the magnet on the other end that drives the needles for either gauge.

[akessel56]

Some how I am imagining that lubing the speedo cable is out of my technical expertise.

I wish I could find a better mercedes mechanic (away from the dealership) here in Little Rock, AR

[Benz Dr.]

Odds are it's not the cable. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be difficult to lube it after you remove it. I can say with a high degree of certainty that it will be in the main drive shaft of the gauge and not the cable.  They all tend to make noise eventually.

[m300cab]

Ahh the comforting sound of a whining speedo!
had that sympton once for a year or so
send the speedo out to be rebuilt

[alpagoda0693]

I too think it must be the speedo cable.  Mine just started doing it and it stops after driving for a few minutes, but it does drive me bonkers when it comes.  Will try the suggested fixes, starting with doing the cable lube.  Glad this site is there to help me when I think I found something unusual... when others have the same problem it is reassuring.