Author Topic: Speedo stopped working--Suggestions? (Read 4418 times)

mtnbob · « **on:** July 21, 2008, 03:07:36 pm »

Suggestions on where to look first? I put in this cluster about 6 months ago, and the tach is working great, but a few weeks ago the odometer stopped working, and now the speedo has quit. :shock:

Dakotakid · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2008, 03:25:14 pm »

I wish Volks would have had to replace these odometers (as in recall).
It is way common for the odometer to stop clicking. But, usually the speedo's run pretty much forever.

I would first make sure that your speedo cable did not back out of it's place on the back of the unit (under dash). They have those plastic clips that are difficult to work with due to such a small area to work and all of those sharp edges back there.

You may have originally broken the plastic clip device (as I have done) and the cable has just worked it's way out. My '85 Jetta cable still stays in place even though the clip is broken.

mtnbob · « **Reply #2 on:** July 21, 2008, 03:29:05 pm »

OK i'll check it out tonight when it cools off
:shock:

gigaz2 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 21, 2008, 03:33:57 pm »

when the odometer breaks, usually it makes a bigger load on the speedo cable than usual, that breaks the cable in less time than usual

mtnbob · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2008, 05:16:13 pm »

Makes sense. The odometer has been acting up for awhile.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2008, 08:56:48 pm »

Quote from: "gigaz2"

when the odometer breaks, usually it makes a bigger load on the speedo cable than usual, that breaks the cable in less time than usual

I don't see how that is possible :?

As mentioned, check to make sure the cable is still connected to the cluster

Op-Ivy · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2008, 09:56:54 pm »

The cluster is more likely, especially if you have been in there relatively recently. However, I would check the condition of the gear on the tranny first. Much easier to get to and less of a headache than taking the dash apart.

suomistyler · « **Reply #7 on:** July 28, 2008, 02:56:53 pm »

HEY,

I got a similar problem...

my odometer and trip odom work intermittently. I notice that (but not always) on a hot day both odoms stop working...usually on the .9 km mark when it is about to roll over the digits on the trip odom. Then other days i will get in and they will happily roll along like nothing's wrong.

They always either work together or don't...it's never one or the other.

mtnbob · « **Reply #8 on:** July 28, 2008, 03:19:12 pm »

I took the cluster out. The cable is not moving when i'm driving , so it must be the cable or the connection to the tranny.

gigaz2 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 28, 2008, 08:36:40 pm »

Quote from: "burn_your_money"

Quote from: "gigaz2"
when the odometer breaks, usually it makes a bigger load on the speedo cable than usual, that breaks the cable in less time than usual

I don't see how that is possible :?

As mentioned, check to make sure the cable is still connected to the cluster

used the wrong word, if it breaks it stops putting a load on the cable of course.

I should have said that if it JAMS, the speedo will act funny for a while, then the cable breaks.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #10 on:** July 29, 2008, 07:30:16 am »

gotcha

mtnbob · « **Reply #11 on:** July 29, 2008, 02:10:56 pm »

Got the speedometer cable today. It was in two parts, so I assume that was the problem :shock: New speedo cable on its way. Don't know if it comes with the plastic gear on the end, or if I have to remove that from my old one.

CoolAirVw · « **Reply #12 on:** July 29, 2008, 08:52:21 pm »

Quote from: "suomistyler"

HEY,

I got a similar problem...

my odometer and trip odom work intermittently. I notice that (but not always) on a hot day both odoms stop working...usually on the .9 km mark when it is about to roll over the digits on the trip odom. Then other days i will get in and they will happily roll along like nothing's wrong.

They always either work together or don't...it's never one or the other.

Here's how to fix your problem.

http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/CheapTricks/Odometer.shtml

mtnbob · « **Reply #13 on:** July 29, 2008, 10:43:51 pm »

Ty, but I think that my problem is just a broken cable

I'm hoping that's all it is at least :shock: It came out in two pieces and was rusty.