Build Thread: Victoria, my 1990 Jetta GLI

[Volkswageneer1990]

I basically just solved the problem by buying a Deluxe Radio with an AUX input.

Anyway, I finally got around to fixing my odometer. Hopefully for good this time.

I sourced a donor cluster from a CE2 Mexican Jetta GL and the odometer looked to be in working condition. It went from 241,631 Miles tooooo 160002. To match my car. Here are pics:






And then old vs. new (new is white)


Speedo faceplate on


Andddd in the cluster

[VDub2625]

That speedometer is going to read incorrect. The guts are from the 120 speedo.

[Volkswageneer1990]

That speedometer is going to read incorrect. The guts are from the 120 speedo.

What? Isn't the only difference the faceplate?

[VDub2625]

How does the needle know if it's on a 120mph or a 140mph speedometer?

[Volkswageneer1990]

How does the needle know if it's on a 120mph or a 140mph speedometer?

Haha idk. So what is the problem?

[VDub2625]

The needle will point to the 120mph speed. So if you're doing a true 60mph, it'll say a hair over 50.

[Volkswageneer1990]

The needle will point to the 120mph speed. So if you're doing a true 60mph, it'll say a hair over 50.

So that means that I will be speeding even when my cluster says i'm not?

[VDub2625]

I'm sorry but it's not hard to understand... the needle doesn't care what the face says, it'll point to the area that the internals of the speedometer are calibrated to. Does that make sense?

Why does the odo not work? Spin the speedo (a drill usually works, with a phillips bit inserted in the cable end), and see that all the gears are turning or not. Sometimes you can repair the original odometer with glue on a cracked gear.

[Volkswageneer1990]

I'm sorry but it's not hard to understand... the needle doesn't care what the face says, it'll point to the area that the internals of the speedometer are calibrated to. Does that make sense?

Why does the odo not work? Spin the speedo (a drill usually works, with a phillips bit inserted in the cable end), and see that all the gears are turning or not. Sometimes you can repair the original odometer with glue on a cracked gear.

No, no, I gotcha, I understand. What im asking, is if there is any way to calibrate it to the 140 mph speed?

And the little red gear kept popping out along with the rod. So not only was it not working, it was tilted. And everytime I put it back in, it popped out. It never stayed in place.

[VDub2625]

I had the exact same problem as have a lot of people. I've heard that superglue on the red gear to hold it to the rod works (my red gear was cracked).

No, there is not a way to recalibrate it. The best way I understand how the speedo works is that a magnet is attached to the cable end, and spins and pulls another magnet to lift the needle, and that pull force works against that tiny tiny brass spring you see on top of the main needle shaft. That needle must have different specs for each speedo reading and changing it I believe is what does it. But it's so sensitive that anything you do to it WILL screw it up.

[Volkswageneer1990]

I had the exact same problem as have a lot of people. I've heard that superglue on the red gear to hold it to the rod works (my red gear was cracked).

No, there is not a way to recalibrate it. The best way I understand how the speedo works is that a magnet is attached to the cable end, and spins and pulls another magnet to lift the needle, and that pull force works against that tiny tiny brass spring you see on top of the main needle shaft. That needle must have different specs for each speedo reading and changing it I believe is what does it. But it's so sensitive that anything you do to it WILL screw it up.

Ah. Well my problem is not that the red gear pops off the rod persay, but that the WHOLE rod comes out along with the Red gear. The red gear does not move, the rod does.

Hmmm well that sucks. Well actually, you know that if you move the needle to a different angle it will show a different angle right? Lets say that you make the needle stay stationary at 20 mph by taking it off and rotating it. Well why not do the exact opposite? Put the needle UNDER the litte shelf it has at zero, fasten it, then put it above the shelf? By that way, then the speed should register about 10mph more to match the difference you spoke about. Idk. Crazy but yeah.

[VDub2625]

That wouldn't work because the zero mark would move. The mph climbs faster on the 140 speedo so you would have to do something that changes the speed at which the needle climbs (like adjust the spring).

Just trust me, it won't work. You need to either use the 120mph face or find a 140mph speedo.

[Volkswageneer1990]

That wouldn't work because the zero mark would move. The mph climbs faster on the 140 speedo so you would have to do something that changes the speed at which the needle climbs (like adjust the spring).

Just trust me, it won't work. You need to either use the 120mph face or find a 140mph speedo.

Dang well in the mean time that I have the 120mph faceplate on, about how much do 16V clusters cost?

[VDub2625]

You can usually just find the speedometer by itself for cheap, about the same as any other. Needs to be from a later style CE2 cluster as I'm sure you know.

I bought an 85mph speedo from an 82-84 Quantum... I'd love to use it, because the narrow range means it'll be super accurate and who needs over 85 anyway?

[Volkswageneer1990]

You can usually just find the speedometer by itself for cheap, about the same as any other. Needs to be from a later style CE2 cluster as I'm sure you know.

I bought an 85mph speedo from an 82-84 Quantum... I'd love to use it, because the narrow range means it'll be super accurate and who needs over 85 anyway?

I don't think there's anyone in the classifieds that would sell just a speedo. And my junkyards don't have any GLI's.

Hahaha I saw a sparkly green Dasher wagon at the junkyards the other day. Pretty clean and I think it had the 85mph speedo. I would love to see one of them in a Mk2. That'd be pretty cool.

[Capt.Dreadz]

I have a 140 cluster. It's a CE1 so i dunno if the guts are interchangeable. Can you confirm Jay?

[VDub2625]

mechanically yes, but the voltage regulator mounts differently so you'll have to find a way to secure it. Also the oil pressure system in the CE1 speedo can be removed, it's not needed. CE1 (and early CE2) speedos are marked every 10, while late CE2 speedos are every 20.

[Capt.Dreadz]

Gotcha

[Volkswageneer1990]

Well i'm just going to find someone willing to sell a CE2 16V Cluster. And use it for parts. Thanks Capt.Dreadz for the offer. I appreciate it

[steveo27]

im pretty sure i have a 120 speedo if you want it

[Capt.Dreadz]

im pretty sure i have a 120 speedo if you want it

He needs a 140

[Volkswageneer1990]

He needs a 140

Yep. But thanks Steve

[steveo27]

swap in the whole 120 unit, its not like the cars gonna ever go 140mph

[Capt.Dreadz]

swap in the whole 120 unit, its not like the cars gonna ever go 140mph

touche
When i used mine when i had my 16v, i never went to 140. Not even 120.

[Volkswageneer1990]

I'm going for the factory fresh look. And since my car did not come with the 120mph, it won't get a 120mph if I can help it. And when I take it apart I like to make it look like it's going 140mph

[VDub2625]

I can realistically to 120, not 140 :p

side note, did you know that the stock .91 5th/3.67 fd means that when the 2.0 16v hits redline in 5th (if that was possible), it would JUST be hitting 140. This also means that a european model with the 160mph speedo can't physically go that speed with the stock trans :p

[Ajaxpowder]

Maybe I am crazy but i thought that the Speedo guts where the same However the cable that drove them was different?

[Capt.Dreadz]

I can realistically to 120, not 140 :p

side note, did you know that the stock .91 5th/3.67 fd means that when the 2.0 16v hits redline in 5th (if that was possible), it would JUST be hitting 140. This also means that a european model with the 160mph speedo can't physically go that speed with the stock trans :p

The euro models with 160 speedo have G60's in them

@Ajax,
That & the gearing in the cluster. Example...When i installed a 2.0L MK3 cluster in the Coupe awhile back, not only was the speedo way off, so was the tac. A mere tap on the gas relined it. Anything pass 45mph & the needle was dubstep dancin'

[Volkswageneer1990]

The euro models with 160 speedo have G60's in them

Haha 'tis true.

side note, did you know that the stock .91 5th/3.67 fd means that when the 2.0 16v hits redline in 5th (if that was possible), it would JUST be hitting 140. This also means that a european model with the 160mph speedo can't physically go that speed with the stock trans :p

Wow, that's pretty cool! But I mean if someone were to actually hit 140 that would be the once and only time it would happen right?

Also, I'm not to smart with engine/transmission specs, what do the underlined number mean? Thanks!

[VDub2625]

Maybe I am crazy but i thought that the Speedo guts where the same However the cable that drove them was different?

No, it's only the speedo thats different. Cable is always the same. The gear is different on different models to match the final drive, not the speedometer. The speed compensation is only in the speedometer.

The euro models with 160 speedo have G60's in them

@Ajax,
That & the gearing in the cluster. Example...When i installed a 2.0L MK3 cluster in the Coupe awhile back, not only was the speedo way off, so was the tac. A mere tap on the gas relined it. Anything pass 45mph & the needle was dubstep dancin'

The uk 16vs had the 160 speedup too, with the same trans as us. I think the g60s had similar ratio transes too.

I have NO idea what yore talking about in the second part of this post... I think you had done electrical issues...

The numbers I posted are the 5th gear ratio and final drive, which together (with the tire size) determine the overall ratio that the engine rpm has to road speed.

[Volkswageneer1990]

So Jason, I've heard of better cruising 5th gears that I can swap into my 2Y transmission, what are the details? I want to be able to go on the highway at 70-80 without exiting the car with ringing from the engine/exhaust in my ears.

Ok so I went out and put my dash back together tonight because the weather had cooled down to a comfortable 95 degrees.

Pics:





I still have to put the steering wheel and console on. But I'll do it tomorrow, early in the morning.

Meanwhile, I am waiting for my 2nd set of all red tail lights to cure. These came out a lot better than my first one. I am just waiting for my U-Pol Clear #1 clearcoat so it won't fade in the sun like my first set is doing.

[VDub2625]

Preyty much your only option for a 2y is the .80 from a mk3. I have one in my car and I love it.

[Volkswageneer1990]

Preyty much your only option for a 2y is the .80 from a mk3. I have one in my car and I love it.

What are the upsides? How hard is it to take out of the transmission? There are a couple Mk3s at my local junkyards.

[VDub2625]

What do you mean upsides? Why did you ask? Lol.

It's something thats easier to do with the trans out of the car and you do need special tools so an experienced helper is a plus.

[Volkswageneer1990]

What do you mean upsides? Why did you ask? Lol.

It's something thats easier to do with the trans out of the car and you do need special tools so an experienced helper is a plus.

Lol true true. I guess a better question is what is the avg. cruising RPM going 70 on it?

No yeah, I gotcha, I was planning to just drop the trans out and just take it apart right there and the on the floor. I was hoping it was easy like taking off bolts and stuff.