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Why does the speedo in my 2004 Mitsubishi Triton bounce up and down and make a weird noise?

While driving my 2004 Mitsubishi Triton the speedo bounces up and down and I can hear a noise that sounds like budgies singing under the bonnet. What is going on here?

The cable that drives the speedometer is a likely candidate for this in some cars, Aaron, but mainly older ones than your Triton. The cable will eventually run out of lubricant, at which point it can bind up and won’t turn smoothly (the cause of the hyperactive needle) while also making a dry squawking noise (the budgies). But, from memory, your car has an electronically-driven speedo, so the cause is more likely that the speedometer itself is worn out and causing internal friction (for the same set of symptoms).

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