Odometer not working, but speedometer does Options

[Ctrout]

My speedometer works fine but the odometer won't count miles. I thought they worked together. Where should I look first? Trip odometer doesn't work either. I guess this is good though because if ther are no miles being put on, then it will never require a valve adjust or oil change right? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol2.gif)

[efrenv]

Gears inside for odometer not turning. Most probably shaft is turning but gears are not coupled to shaft anymore. May need to glue gears to shaft.
First, need to open the speedometer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[SLITS]

Welcome to 99% of the 914s on the road - very few odos work. Go to the Bird site - there is a tech article on trying to repair the odo.

[lapuwali]

Not just 914s, but nearly all VDO speedos of the era, and many Smiths speedos, have the same problem.

The shafts holding the odo number wheels are polished or even chromed, and the drive gears on them are either nylon or pot metal, and only peened onto the shaft. Not glued or positively locked in any way. Over time, the peening can come loose so the drive gears come loose and spin on the shaft instead of turning the shaft.

The PP tech article recommends just crimping the gear center to pinch the gear on the shaft again, but that's a fairly temporary solution. Gluing MAY work, but you really have to disassemble everything and rough up the shaft to give the glue something to stick to. A better and more permanent solution would be a new shaft and gear with a notch and key (or D-shaped, or something), to give a positive lock.

One major contributing factor is people resetting the trip odo while the car is in motion. This is a Bad Thing To Do.

My odo works in my car, but the second it breaks, it's coming out and I'm going all electronic.

[bperry]

Its not hard to do and doesn't cost any money but when you are
taking it apart and puting it all back together, be VERY careful,
take your time, and be sure not to shake or move the speedometer
around too much as you are doing it.
If not, the needle can hit the stop post and chip off the red paint
on the tip of the needle.
I did this and didn't notice it until I had completey reassembled it.
Then I got to take it apart again just to repaint the needle. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif)


--- bill

[Joe Ricard]

Oh yea my odmeter was not working when I got the car. Did the PP tech article from memory. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

Halfway home I noticed the needle sticks between 60 and 80 MPH . Thunk onit with a knuckle and it jumps to real speed. Some day I will go back in there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[dinomium]

I kinda like the maverick feeling of having to tap on a gauge to get a true reading... It kinda has that Han Solo flair.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool_shades.gif)

[type47]

i wimped out and sent my speedo to north hollywood speedometer. came back with new glass and new outside black crimping ring. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) 99% of speedometers i've seen have the trip cable cut or otherwise removed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) now, to start racking up some miles......

[Toast]

Would have been cheeper on your Collector Car insurance.......since you would not have been driving any miles. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[ttwitc9516]

What BPERRY said is correct. Isn't much of a job, but do it in a large room with absolutely nothing in it and clean floors so when it explodes you can find all the pieces. Voice of experience. Crazy glued mine in '97 and it is still working. Don't be intimidated, it's just another mechanical device.

[Neal]

mine did the same thing, I found the cable that is attached to the thumb wheel to reset the odometer had popped out. I got on my back found the cable end and plugged it back in the back of the gauge. It's easier to understand once you are looking at the back of the gauge.

Neal