Speedy Cables - Capillary Gauge Repair Alternatives

[ukkid35]

I've seen a lot of posts on forums suggesting that Speedy Cables can no longer be relied upon despite their good reputation in the past. Limited customer service and very slow turnaround seem to be the main issues. Are there any alternatives?

[ukkid35]

Bump

[Gazzab]

Tvr power?

[SimonKD]

Gazzab said:

Tvr power?

I think Dom uses Speedy Cables themselves for his gauge repairs too.

One alternative is to fit an SPA digital type gauge which uses a sensor and wiring instead of a capillary. Trouble is it spoils the original look of the dash, just one alternative though.

Regards
Simon

Edited by SimonKD on Saturday 4th February 08:48

[nigelb777]

Or you could try and fix it yourself look on tinternet for capillary gauge repair or somthing like that, Bacicaly you find where the tube is leaking, mine was at the water pipe end so I could cut out the damage and it still reached, then you need to replace the bowl on the end and re-gas. This is done by
1 buy the chepest capillary water gauge you can (might be worth buying two)
2 filling a container with water (I used a cup) put the end of the newley purchased capillary tube (the bowl end) in the water and place in the freezer, wait, this makes the gas accumulate in the bowl.
3 Then cut off th new bowl and resolder on to your old capillary, easy.
ok its not that easy but I managed it (on my second attempt)
That was two years ago and its still working, and it is more accurate.
Gold star to me.

[MPoxon]

It is a shame about speedy cables, as in the past they have offered a great service repairing or creating exact copies of TVR gauges to keep our cars looking original.

[jwoffshore]

There is also www.speedograph-richfield.com who advertise in the classic mags, but I have no personal experience of them, just passing on the contact info.

[DuncanM]

ukkid35 said:

I've seen a lot of posts on forums suggesting that Speedy Cables can no longer be relied upon despite their good reputation in the past. Limited customer service and very slow turnaround seem to be the main issues. Are there any alternatives?

Hi Paul,

I used these guys : www.gnw.co.uk/

Now, I was a bit disappointed really as I initially used them because they offered a quicker turnaround than SpeedyCables, however, in the end the took just as long.

The good news is that my gauge now matches the ECU for temp where as before, it was typically over reading (commone fault).

Regards

Duncan

[TV8]

The guy who runs this business will probably be able to help you. http://www.thegaugeshop.com/

Alan is a really decent guy to do business with.

[pmessling]

The lead time on the SPA gauges is a good while, been in contact with them for some time, and although they now have the gauges are waiting on sensors.

I have ordered a dual gauge for when i replace my water pipes, and ideally want to get my capillary out in one, but weather i can or not not sure.

Also regarding speedy cables, i want to send the SPA gauge to them to change the surround which they seem happy to do, but waiting for a long time isn't something i want to have to do.

[Hoover.]

It's a bit hit or miss with them....... had 3 speedo's via them now, 2 quick, one slow....... I think its all about how much they have on.... Been very happy with the result, last time used about a year ago.

[snookes]

TV8 said:

The guy who runs this business will probably be able to help you. http://www.thegaugeshop.com/

Alan is a really decent guy to do business with.

I've just used Alan at the gauge shop. My oil pressure on the cerb was
Faulty and when removing snapped the end off the water capillary
Turned it around in about 9 days
Great service, good price !

Anthony

[ukkid35]

Speedograph quoted me 71 exc vat, GNW quoted 140 exc vat, I left messages with Alan at TheGaugeShop to no avail.

In the end I sent it to SpeedyCables who turned it round in about a week for £66 inc vat/p&p. I haven't seen it yet as I'm abroad, but assuming the work is ok then that seems pretty good to me.

[snookes]

ukkid35 said:

Speedograph quoted me 71 exc vat, GNW quoted 140 exc vat, I left messages with Alan at TheGaugeShop to no avail.

In the end I sent it to SpeedyCables who turned it round in about a week for £66 inc vat/p&p. I haven't seen it yet as I'm abroad, but assuming the work is ok then that seems pretty good to me.

I agree Alan is a little bit difficult to get hold of, but try him on his
Home number in the evening, cost me £54 all inclusive

Anthony

[Gazzab]

snookes said:

I agree Alan is a little bit difficult to get hold of, but try him on his
Home number in the evening, cost me £54 all inclusive

Anthony

Wow where we're you ringing from, the moon?

[MPoxon]

Gazzab said:

snookes said:

I agree Alan is a little bit difficult to get hold of, but try him on his
Home number in the evening, cost me £54 all inclusive

Anthony

Wow where we're you ringing from, the moon?

[Gazzab]

Oops a spelling mistake and I've been quoted :-(

[ukkid35]

ukkid35 said:

In the end I sent it to SpeedyCables who turned it round in about a week for £66 inc vat/p&p. I haven't seen it yet as I'm abroad, but assuming the work is ok then that seems pretty good to me.

For the first two days the temp gauge read correctly, then it 'slipped' and read 15C higher all the time, not returning to the stop when cold.

I returned it to Speedy who fixed it within a week, I put it back on the car and it worked perfectly for another two days before the same happened again.

I asked Speedy if they would consider repairing a spare gauge I had been using while the other was off the car, perhaps there was something intrinsically wrong with the original gauge. Once again Speedy agreed immediately without quibbling, so I really can't fault their customer service which was my original concern.

I will report back when the spare is returned.