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HarryFD
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Joined: February 24, 2012
Posts: 265
Location: Portland, OR
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 Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 6:26 pm Post subject: Speedometer Stopped Working |
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Today, I removed my instrument cluster to determine why my fuel gauge reads full all the time (the PO grounded the G terminal behind hte panel).
When I reassembled everything, all is ok except the Speedo no longer works.
I lossened the knured nut and pulled the cable back to remove it fromthe panel. When I reassembled, I merely pushed the end back into the speedo and tightened the nut. I never touched the end on the wheel.
Did I booger up the cable? Did I inadventantly pull the wheel end out of hte sensor?
Help!
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VDubTech
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Joined: December 29, 2002
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Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 7:03 pm Post subject: Re: Speedometer Stopped Working |
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| HarryFD wrote: |
Did I booger up the cable? Did I inadventantly pull the wheel end out of hte sensor? |
Those are questions only you can answer. Feel free to pop off the LF hubcap and clue us all in.
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First Trip in the RustyBus:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279077&highlight=
| borninabus wrote: |
| a measurement of your rod would be extremely useful. |
| notchboy wrote: |
| my dad wasnt a belittling cock when he tought me how to wrench on cars. |
| EverettB wrote: |
One photo = good for reference.
10 photos = douchebaggery |
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SGKent
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Joined: October 30, 2007
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| Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 7:15 pm Post subject: |
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| the wheel end is supposed to have a C clip on it to keep it from being pulled out but it can be if a prior mechanic left it off. Pull the left front hubcap and see. |
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HarryFD
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Joined: February 24, 2012
Posts: 265
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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I looked at the wheel. The wheel end is inserted intot he hub. I took the bus for a short (1/2 mile) drive and noted that the odometer is working but no speed is being indicated. My next move?
Sorry but I am very ignorant on this topic.
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2006 Ford Focus
2009 MB C300 |
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VDubTech
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Joined: December 29, 2002
Posts: 8589
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 8:26 pm Post subject: |
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Most likely the plastic gear that drives the speedometer is broken. Pull the instrument cluster and have a look. Pull the gauge cluster back out and take out the 7mm screws holding the gauges in the housing. You'll see the broken gear when you pull it out of the housing.
_________________
First Trip in the RustyBus:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279077&highlight=
| borninabus wrote: |
| a measurement of your rod would be extremely useful. |
| notchboy wrote: |
| my dad wasnt a belittling cock when he tought me how to wrench on cars. |
| EverettB wrote: |
One photo = good for reference.
10 photos = douchebaggery |
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HarryFD
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Joined: February 24, 2012
Posts: 265
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 8:31 pm Post subject: |
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| VDubTech wrote: |
| Most likely the plastic gear that drives the speedometer is broken. Pull the instrument cluster and have a look. Pull the gauge cluster back out and take out the 7mm screws holding the gauges in the housing. You'll see the broken gear when you pull it out of the housing. |
If this is the case, can I repair myself or do I need to get a new speedo?
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1973.5 911 Targa
2006 Ford Focus
2009 MB C300 |
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VDubTech
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Joined: December 29, 2002
Posts: 8589
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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I've replaced them myself without any problems, the gear for the odometer has a tendency to break as well after all of these years. I had another speedo I pulled the gear out of but you can buy the gears online to replace them. Pop it apart first and make sure that's the problem.
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First Trip in the RustyBus:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279077&highlight=
| borninabus wrote: |
| a measurement of your rod would be extremely useful. |
| notchboy wrote: |
| my dad wasnt a belittling cock when he tought me how to wrench on cars. |
| EverettB wrote: |
One photo = good for reference.
10 photos = douchebaggery |
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busdaddy
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Joined: February 12, 2004
Posts: 24143
Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, Land of the giant flying moose!
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| Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 8:43 pm Post subject: |
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When the gear breaks the odometer stops but the needle still works, sounds to me like you bent the back of the instrument while messing with the cable, if it's skewed the needle drive cup or needle shaft can bind.
Any tension or side pressure on the cable near the back of instrument?
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HarryFD
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Joined: February 24, 2012
Posts: 265
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2012 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
When the gear breaks the odometer stops but the needle still works, sounds to me like you bent the back of the instrument while messing with the cable, if it's skewed the needle drive cup or needle shaft can bind.
Any tension or side pressure on the cable near the back of instrument? |
busdaddy:
I am not sure, how would I tell? I can wiggle the cable if that helps.
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1973.5 911 Targa
2006 Ford Focus
2009 MB C300 |
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SGKent
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HarryFD
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Joined: February 24, 2012
Posts: 265
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 8:02 am Post subject: |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
When the gear breaks the odometer stops but the needle still works, sounds to me like you bent the back of the instrument while messing with the cable, if it's skewed the needle drive cup or needle shaft can bind.
Any tension or side pressure on the cable near the back of instrument? |
Pull the Speedo out this morning. THe gears for hte odometer rotate but the needle does not move. I can (gently) move the speed indicator with my finger and it stays wherever I stop.
Looks like a rebuilt or used one in my future? Other repair options?
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2006 Ford Focus
2009 MB C300 |
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busdaddy
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Joined: February 12, 2004
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Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, Land of the giant flying moose!
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 8:24 am Post subject: |
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| HarryFD wrote: |
| Other repair options? |
I'm sensing this is strange territory for you so digging in may not be an option, but if you want to there's little you can do to make it worse.
Take the instrument out of the cluster and turn the drive shaft, look for all the moving parts and give them a lube (careful with tiny hair springs and thin shafts, they are really fragile), same deal for the needle shaft, maybe take some pics if you can't figure out how it works.
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Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Wanted, 68-73 westy OG plaid curtains, singles OK. |
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HarryFD
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Joined: February 24, 2012
Posts: 265
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 8:46 am Post subject: |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
| HarryFD wrote: |
| Other repair options? |
I'm sensing this is strange territory for you so digging in may not be an option, but if you want to there's little you can do to make it worse.
Take the instrument out of the cluster and turn the drive shaft, look for all the moving parts and give them a lube (careful with tiny hair springs and thin shafts, they are really fragile), same deal for the needle shaft, maybe take some pics if you can't figure out how it works. |
Thanks. I hate these watch like things. Always have had bad luck. The speedo is out, there are no apparent loose parts. If I gently move the pointer, I can see the spring wind/unwind. I can see the odo gears moving smoothly.
I am thinking there is something messed up in the magnetic coupling between the cable and the indicator.
Would something like Tri Flow (as opposed to spray lithum) lube be a good choice for lubing all the parts?
I really appreciate your sharing "the knowledge".
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1970 Sunroof Bay
1973.5 911 Targa
2006 Ford Focus
2009 MB C300 |
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busdaddy
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 8:51 am Post subject: |
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Triflow will do, a cleaning with WD-40 first wouldn't hurt either. The objective here is find out why the needle shaft is dragging and what was displaced when you messed with the cable.
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Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.
Wanted, 68-73 westy OG plaid curtains, singles OK. |
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HarryFD
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Joined: February 24, 2012
Posts: 265
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 4:36 pm Post subject: |
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| busdaddy wrote: |
| Triflow will do, a cleaning with WD-40 first wouldn't hurt either. The objective here is find out why the needle shaft is dragging and what was displaced when you messed with the cable. |
I have spent most of today trying to get the thing to work. No luck.
The odometer portion works when you turn the drive connection by hand but the speedo is dead.
I decided to reinstall the Speedometer so I can drive it (albeit without knowing my speed) but I am unable to get the cable to fit into the drive housing. I thought it would just slip in. Any ideas?
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1973.5 911 Targa
2006 Ford Focus
2009 MB C300 |
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SGKent
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Joined: October 30, 2007
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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| HarryFD wrote: |
| busdaddy wrote: |
| Triflow will do, a cleaning with WD-40 first wouldn't hurt either. The objective here is find out why the needle shaft is dragging and what was displaced when you messed with the cable. |
I have spent most of today trying to get the thing to work. No luck.
The odometer portion works when you turn the drive connection by hand but the speedo is dead.
I decided to reinstall the Speedometer so I can drive it (albeit without knowing my speed) but I am unable to get the cable to fit into the drive housing. I thought it would just slip in. Any ideas? |
move the wheel chocks, let the e-brake off and roll it a few inches at a time until the square cable end lines up with the square in the speedo. |
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tubdub
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Joined: March 29, 2004
Posts: 2080
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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| I have a extra fuel guage/speedometer cluster from a 71 that i will ship to you for $25 if all else fails. pm if you are interested in it |
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HarryFD
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Joined: February 24, 2012
Posts: 265
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 6:53 pm Post subject: |
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| SGKent wrote: |
| HarryFD wrote: |
| busdaddy wrote: |
| Triflow will do, a cleaning with WD-40 first wouldn't hurt either. The objective here is find out why the needle shaft is dragging and what was displaced when you messed with the cable. |
I have spent most of today trying to get the thing to work. No luck.
The odometer portion works when you turn the drive connection by hand but the speedo is dead.
I decided to reinstall the Speedometer so I can drive it (albeit without knowing my speed) but I am unable to get the cable to fit into the drive housing. I thought it would just slip in. Any ideas? |
move the wheel chocks, let the e-brake off and roll it a few inches at a time until the square cable end lines up with the square in the speedo. |
Maybe I'll just jack that wheel up and have my boy slowly turn the wheel while I try to get it in.
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1970 Sunroof Bay
1973.5 911 Targa
2006 Ford Focus
2009 MB C300 |
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HarryFD
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Joined: February 24, 2012
Posts: 265
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 6:55 pm Post subject: |
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| tubdub wrote: |
| I have a extra fuel guage/speedometer cluster from a 71 that i will ship to you for $25 if all else fails. pm if you are interested in it |
I may need to take you up on your offer. Let me see how things turn out.
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1973.5 911 Targa
2006 Ford Focus
2009 MB C300 |
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HarryFD
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Posts: 265
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2012 10:20 pm Post subject: |
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After another hour of trying to get the cable attached (jack up wheel turned slowly and tried to attach), no dice.
I would guess I managed to damage the cable end. I guess I'll get a new cable.
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1973.5 911 Targa
2006 Ford Focus
2009 MB C300 |
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