Odometer and trip meter not working

[Cadee]

78 Newport. Off the road for twenty years. Just got it on the road and noticed that both the trip meter and odometer don’t work. If I tap on the plastic near the trip meter, it will start turning but only for a few tenths of a mile.
Any ideas what it might be? I want it working so I can see what my gas mileage is.
Thank you.

 

[Mark Kevin Weaver]

1st check the speedometer cable and make sure it freely spins. Next check the back of the speedometer and make sure the vertical shaft with gear teeth is correctly mounted and the teeth in mesh. Mine did that awhile back and I reset the gear (not the numbers!) and found the odometer gear had slipped out of the bracket. All good now.

 

[Cadee]

Ok thank you. I will look at the cable and its connection.