Broken Odometer

[danijo8806]

I have an 88 Cabriolet that i bought in October. Inspection is due in March and friends have told me the odometer has to work to pass. The odometer hasn't worked since I bought it. But the trip and everything else on the cluster seems to work fine. Is this a problem with a gear in the cluster? I've searched but no one has this same exact problem. HELP!

[kamzcab86]

Quote, originally posted by JPX »

Odometer Repair DIY ------------------------------------------------ When I first bought my Cabriolet, I didn't think I'd drive it too much, so it didn't matter that the odometer was broken. But now that I drive it to work and try to enjoy it as much as possible between repairs, I decided to take on repairing the odometer. There are several threads that describe various ways to fix it: www.4crawler.com - This was the first link I found on the MK1 FAQ. The entire site rocks, but the odometer writeup was for a much older odometer than I have. http://www.garageprosoftware.com/scirocco/tech_odometer.htm - This was one of the best links with some great photos from dash removal to gear fixing. But since my red gear was okay, this didn't help me with my metal gear. http://www.vintagewatercooleds.com - Had a very detailed writeup on the disassembly of the speedometer. It had a great suggestion about using tape to hold the number wheels in place. http://www.drivewerks.com/tech/mult_gauge_repair.htm - This link about Porsche speedometers was interesting because the assembly is kind of similar. It also had the great suggestion about using tape to hold the number wheels in place. http://www.4130-products.com/step/odometer/index.htm Added thanks to sehaare. This is a great site that also mentions the metal gear spinning problem. Although it didn't provide any pictures about the modifications suggested. http://mysite.verizon.net/janvdb/vw/Body/speedo_fix.txt - Then I ran across this curious link. It mentioned "stamping the hub of the metal gear to shrink the inner diameter. This effectively makes the gear an interference fit on the shaft. This was exactly what I wanted. So I took mine apart (without breaking anything *whew*) and then taped it up. The red gear on the left turned out to be just fine, it was the grey metal gear on the right that was freewheeling. Once I got the metal gear out, I took a screwdriver and punched the inner hub. You can see three of the punches on this shot. But I put four on both sides before reassembling. And it totally worked! I drove my first 35 miles with a working odometer for the commute this morning.

[danijo8806]

Thanks!

[invintive]

How did you remove the steering wheel? Did you need too?

I have the same one and I'm afraid to break something.

[briano1234]

No you don't have to remove the steering wheel.

[kamzcab86]

Quote, originally posted by invintive »

How did you remove the steering wheel? Did you need too? I have the same one and I'm afraid to break something.

You don't have to remove it, but removing it makes life a whole lot better removing the cluster. You simply have to pry out the center piece and undo the nut (21mm?). It's not that big of a deal.

[invintive]

Kinda Funny... I practically know which gear to fix, because it works in the winter!

[invintive]

I Fixed my Odometer, only to break my Speedometer! And Only the top two light turn on now !? Hard to see at night...

Help?

[dasdachshund]

Quote, originally posted by invintive »

I Fixed my Odometer, only to break my Speedometer!

Me, too. I snapped the little tiny speedo shaft off at the point it enters the back "guts". I tried with super glue and some careful soldering for a loooong time, but I wasn't able to fix it. Junk yard here I come. I suggest this, too.

Quote, originally posted by invintive »

And Only the top two light turn on now !? Hard to see at night... Help?

You know those little light bulbs are replaceable, right? Very easy to replace once you have the cluster out. Only thing is, they are made of gold (well, seems like it) and are about $4/piece at my friendly neighborhood VW speciality shop. I replaced all mine like a year ago and the cluster is still dim. Next up for me is the LED swap. Lots of threads on that. Search is your friend, here.

-dasdachshund

[briano1234]

Quote, originally posted by dasdachshund »

You know those little light bulbs are replaceable, right? Very easy to replace once you have the cluster out. Only thing is, they are made of gold (well, seems like it) and are about $4/piece at my friendly neighborhood VW speciality shop. I replaced all mine like a year ago and the cluster is still dim. Next up for me is the LED swap. Lots of threads on that. Search is your friend, here. -dasdachshund

Get the to a junk yard....
Look for a Saturn, SL or a Pathfinder.

On the back of the instrument gauges are the blue and black and grey
bulb holders. These holders are the same size as a Vdub. Better is that the bulbs are in a socket.

If you get the ones out of the warning panel they are 5 watts over 2-3 for regular instrument (instant upgrade) The higher wattage bulbs won't melt your pod....

If you want even brighter bulbs, carefully take the mylar off the lights, and pry the bulb cover off, remove that dull dingy green flim place the cover back on and use JB-weld to glue it back replace mylar, replace the bulbs.

And if you go the Saturn route, run by your favorite parts place and pick up brand new bulbs (look up the car ie: 89 saturn sl and get the warning lights...

[Camp]

I have a PA inspector license and managed a Monro shop. The Odo doesn't necessarily have to work. The speedo does though.

I don't think I've ever even checked the odometer on cars I've inspected.

[montmil]

Quote, originally posted by invintive »

Kinda Funny... I practically know which gear to fix, because it works in the winter!

Mine, too! I can actually tell how many miles I've driven in cold temps before the cabin warms up enough to knock out the odometer... winter of 07-08 totaled 153 miles on my daily driver. This IS Texas.