Speedometer cable

[Bavarian Éclat]

Hello,

I have an issue with my speedometer.
When I bought the car, the speedo was not working, which I knew.
I checked the speedo cable and found it not working. So beginning of this year, I ordered a new one from SJ Sportscars which arrived super fast.
I got to a workshop and we removed the old, not working speedo cable just to find out, that this cable was around 10 - 15 inches LONGER than the original Lotus Cable from SJ.
We tried to fit it, but somehow it looked like we really need these extra 10 inches.

Unfortunately the guy from SJ was not really interested in helping me, though I did not blame him but asked if I have made a mistake with laying the cable.

Please see attached pictures:





The black one is the original cable (which I absolutely believe, since I am sure SJ knows what they are doing) and the othe cable is the one previously installed.

So my question is, ist it possible, that the original speedo cable was laid in a different way so the missing 10 inches are not a problem?
Where is my mistake?

Cheers
Stefan

[Marten]

The black one is the original cable (which I absolutely believe, since I am sure SJ knows what they are doing) and the othe cable is the one previously installed.

So my question is, ist it possible, that the original speedo cable was laid in a different way so the missing 10 inches are not a problem?
Where is my mistake?

Cheers
Stefan

LHD vs RHD?

[Zag]

I ordered a set of main bearings and a cam belt, received a set of big end bearings and a cam belt from god knows what that was inches too long from the other specialist. Given either of their postage charge and the lotus tax they apply would feed a family of four i have voted with my feet and will search for days to find alternatives.

[Hawaiis0]

Steve at SJ may know what he's talking about but not so all of his workers.

I ordered a heater fan resistor, image was good and all but when it arrived it was an M100 variant - half the size.

The guy who answered my response was adamant it was correct and the web image was wrong and would be up dated ( which it has been).

No the image was good and the part wrong! After contacting Steve he did refund fully.

[Bavarian Éclat]

And dont get me wrong, I do not want to blame anyone.
I just need help

LHD vs RHD?

It is RHD.

[MetBlue]

RHD eclat? How long is the SJ cable.
I can try and measure the cable on my S1 Elite tomorrow to compare.
Tony

[Bavarian Éclat]

Yes it is a Right hand drive Eclat on German Roads
I got used to it, though there is a lot of window wiping instead of turning on the indicators

I will measure the length and let you know.

[Hawaiis0]

Yes it is a Right hand drive Eclat on German Roads
I got used to it, though there is a lot of window wiping instead of turning on the indicators

You can swap the indicator stalks around using LHD triumph Stag units - I believe.

[Bavarian Éclat]

RHD eclat? How long is the SJ cable.
I can try and measure the cable on my S1 Elite tomorrow to compare.
Tony

I just measured:
The SJ Cable is around 47 inches (1,2m) and the cable which is currently built into my Eclat is at least 60 inches (at least 1,5m) long. I would say even longer.

I am still thinking, that there must be a mistake in my side.
Is it possible that someone with an Eclat makes a couple of pictures of how the speedo cables is laid?

[AndrewWebber]

Just a thought, your 'S2.2' would have the Getrag gear box (if manual) I should think that may have a different speedo cable position into the gearbox than with a series 1 (Lotus) gearbox?

[Alan_M]

Andy makes a good point - was there a part number on the cable?

[MetBlue]

The SJ Cable is around 47 inches (1,2m) and the cable which is currently built into my Eclat is at least 60 inches (at least 1,5m) long.

My 74 Elite cable is around 46", as best I can measure, so would say is the same as SJ's supplied. On the 5 speed lotus box, take off is very near the back and on the drivers side ( RHD).
It's years since I disconnected it, but looks to me like there is not a lot of 'surplus' length. Pretty sure you wouldn't be able to draw the instrument cluster forward 8 or 9" like you can on an Excel (need to fish blind to disconnect from speedo before cluster can be drawn much forward) , but it was definitely long enough.

Tony

[AndrewWebber]

Yes I agree, on the S1 Elite there is not a lot of slack, only just enough to connect to the speedo with a small hand round the back of an 'unhooked' instrument binnacle. (I did it last week, having changed the gauge and direction indicator warning bulbs to brighter LED)

Andy

[Bavarian Éclat]

Interesting Ideas...

On the cable which is currently in use, is no number.

Yes my Eclat is a manual 5-gears vesion.
But if this is the fact, should the Original cable still be working?

Maybe we were just too careful with the lenght?