[mreid333]

So the other day it was a little cold outside. Somewhere around -40. When I started my car and started to drive the dash made this high pitched screeching noise till the inside of the car warmed up, its done that before and would just go away. It's been doing that for a wile now when it’s under -35 but this time I started driving and as the dash wormed up the screeching noise went away and so did my dash lights! One by one. First it was the climate control, then the gas gauge, engine temp and final the tach and Speedo (can't remember what first). I checked the fuses and the bulbs and there fine. It hasn’t been that cold since they went so I don’t know if it still makes the screeching sound in the cold.

I’ve never posted on a forum before and thought I might as well start with a fun one.

1990 Toyota Corolla sr5

 

[jiggy]

I experienced the same thing in my 91', except I only hear the sound, lights weren't
affected.

Only seems to happen when it's really cold (like -35 C). The noise sounds like something
'spinning' or 'whirling', if that's the right way to describe it. It seems to come
from behind the tachometer.

When I accelerate it, the sound seems to speed up. It then suddenly stops
when I press the brake. Pretty weird and still not sure what it is.

I think it's something to do with the tachometer, but not sure.....

 

[REN69]

The screeching is from the speedo cable, mine used to do the same at any temperature under -10C and it got worse the colder it was outside.

They might not be related to the screeching but more to the cold, time for new bulbs anyways, mine did the same in the winter, every month one burnt out until they were all out. :disappoin

 

[mreid333]

Thanks for the response!

Ive already got the gauges out of the dash and the bulbs look ok. Ill try replacing one to see if that helps.

since I've got the dash apart anyway. is there some way of greasing the speedo cable? it looks like theres grease were the speedo cable attaches to the gauge. Is there anywhere else to look?

 

[Flashmn]

no way to grease the cable, its sealed because otherwise MTF will shoot into your dash. :lol:

Time for a new cable. You might wanna try some contact cleaner on the light bases, when the dash warms up, condensation turns to moisture = electrical problems.

 

[mreid333]

I finally got around to fixing this. It was the bulbs. I think they were really old so with a little vibration from the cable and moister they all burned out at the same time.

Thanks for all the help!