MCI DL3 speedometer wonkiness

[plyonsMC9]

On a quick trip out to Texas from AZ, and the speedometer just started reading crazy high numbers.  So at 65 (I guess) or so MPH, it's reading over 120.  And I promise I'm not speeding.  Now reading through the manual, one of the issues seems to be adjusting the clearance of the sensor gap.  If we have that model of speedometer and configuration. Bus is running fine, and this year of bus, 1993 or so, doesn't show wires going to any ECM.  That I can find. And - the bus is running very smooth, no issues that I can determine.  At the same time, a flasher stopped working - not sure if that's related (long story re: flasher).

My question is; I'd like to just get back to AZ and deal with it when we get back. This is a bereavement trip, and I don't want to add fixing the speedo on top of the current family situation - -  Can I get by with just using a speedometer app on the iPhone for the drive back?  The app actually looks better than our current speedometer  - and GPS based.

Will that work short term?  Or is the adjustment so simple I'd be better off giving that a shot?

Thanks bus folk!
> Phil

[niles500]

Hi Phil, never had anyone care about speeding in west Texas, AZ, or NM just run with the pack that will get you home - fwiw

[plyonsMC9]

Thanks for that Niles!,
Kind Regards, Phil

[RJ]

Phil -

In this circumstance, I would just use an iPhone speedometer app until you get home, then worry about troubleshooting your problem. There are several speedometer apps in the App store, but the free app I chose and use is from "Tim O Studios, LLC", which gives a nice, large display.

Just make sure you keep your phone charged, because the app keeps the screen on all the time.

FWIW & HTH. . . 

RJ

[chessie4905]

 For now,  just check connections at sender at trans or wheel. Sounds like deteoriated connection.

[Ed Hackenbruch]

Back in the day when i wanted to go faster than the speed limit, i would wait until 2 or 3 rigs would blow past me and then i would increase my speed until i was going just a little slower than them. I kept an eye on their brake lights and if they came on i would slow down. They would keep pulling away from me and  eventually be gone and i would slow down to the limit until another couple would come by. Figured to let them get pulled over rather than me.....sometimes it is better to not be the leader for the pack! Have only ever had one speeding ticket in my life and that was in 1977.

[luvrbus]

Phil your speedometer on the 700 series Allison ATEC should work off a pulse generator mounted on the rear of the transmission ,when you get back to Az call Precision Speed in Phoenix he will walk you through the trouble,they have a pin drive that wears and get a little wacky over time   

[plyonsMC9]

Will give them a call for sure Cliff! 

And thanks all for the rest of the responses - read them, very helpful and appreciated.   

Kind Regards, Phil

[plyonsMC9]

Sooo - this project as usual for me, has taken a while to get to.  I did try to call Precision Speed in AZ but their number is disconnected.  For the transmission mounted sending unit, does anyone have a picture of what that may look like?  And where it would be found on the trans?  Not finding it in the manuals I have so far.

Kind Regards, Phil

[luvrbus]

Do you have cruise control? if so is it working?

[plyonsMC9]

Thank you Cliff,
Yes, there is cruise control, but I believe it has never worked and it used to be throwing a check engine light for as long as I can remember.  Strangely, in the past 2 -3 weeks I have not seen the check engine light. (Ha Ha - burned out?).  The speedometer issue started a little over a year ago.  I'll be heading into AZ in the next couple of weeks so I can test the cruise control.

Kind Regards, Phil

[luvrbus]

Phil,on the driver's side front wheel take a light and see if you have 4 bolts on the inside lip of the drum,your bus may have a magnetic pickup for the speedometer, the bolts are part of the pickup and they rust off in time.