ailing speedo

[jolotter]

My 83.5's speedo started swing up and down at all speeds and shows about half speed on the highway. The OXS light has been on for about a month, but I haven't yet been under to reset it.
Is this a cable or speedo problem?

Johann

[dart330]

My experience with 80s VDO speedometers is that they all need to be recalibrated at this point in time (after 20+ years). I have sent 3 speedos in over the last few years for recalibration and usually to also repair the broken odometer. Prices range from $80-$125 for the repair, but well worth it.

I remember my first Vanagon, an 85 Westy read 10mph fast at 70mph. I thought the thing was amazingly fast until someone following me told me we were going much slower than I believed. The 82 I have now read 15mph fast when I bought it, rough when you don't have a tach and rely on the speedo for shift points.

[MootPoint]

I just replaced the VDO speedo in my '84 Westy with one from the Samba Classifieds - $30 including shipping. Hardest part, other than taking the instrument panel apart, was resetting the odometer so it was accurate, but even that wasn't all that difficult.

Prior to the problem it was reading anywhere from 10 - 30 mph fast. It was quite enlightening to dream you were doing 90 when you were actually doing 65 but I do prefer accuracy.

Took it out for spin this weekend and it did the measured mileposts on the freeway at exactly 60 seconds per mile @ 60mph indicated.

I'm happy as a clam.
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1984 Westy with tencentlife power!