Re: Letter from VDO North America...

["Paul Krucke" <pkrucke@logistics.calibersys.com>]

     Hmm, I too have suffered numerously with VDO odometers, primarily on 
     older Mk1's I had.  They usually kick the bucket around 130k miles.
     
     But...I hate to say it, but this guy is right in terms of course of 
     action.  Although the tone of his email was somewhat cold.  In all of 
     the "drive gear fractures" (this is what has failed on me) the gear 
     has been yellowed and brittle.  Most likely the result of excessive 
     heat, or environment conditions as he stated.  Perhaps the VW designed 
     cluster and dash needed better insulation / ventalation.   
     
     The other main reason they do fail is by pressing the trip reset 
     odometer while the vehicle is rolling.  I remember reading in the 
     vehicles owner manual to only reset the trip odo while standing still. 
      I know I am guilty of not following this direction.  In this case 
     user error is the culprit.
     
     Granted, VDO should have potentially used a steel gear or better 
     polymer for this gear.  It will be interesting to see if the new A3 
     cars start to experience the problem in a few years.
     
     This does suck, but a recall generally won't go into effect for a 
     non-safety based item in the auto world.
     
     Note:  I am not associated or affiliated with VDO.
     
     -Paul
     90 Audi 90 Quattro 20v (for sale) [VDO]
     87 Scirocco 16v [VDO]
     87 Jetta GLi [VDO]
     63 Bug [34yr old VDO still spinning]
     


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Letter from VDO North America...
Author:  Kris Tewkesbury <tewkes@engin.umich.edu> at TGATE
Date:    8/28/97 2:49 PM


I wrote a letter to VDO regarding my damned odometer gear and this is the 
response that I received.  It's basically a bunch of B.S.  The guy must be 
a salesman!
     
     
     
>>From EKent@vdo.com Tue Aug 26 10:01:22 1997 
>From: "Kent, Eric" <EKent@vdo.com>
>To: "'Kris Tewkesbury'" <tewkes@engin.umich.edu> 
>Cc: "Klinger, Reg" <RKlinger@vdo.com>
>Subject: VW OEM Speedometers
>Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 10:00:58 -0400 
>
>Dear Kris,
>Thank you for your inquiry concerning VW speedometer failures.  Our 
>North American plant here in Winchester VA provides parts and service 
>for many original equipment customers, including VW of America.
>
>>While you suggest that "there has been problems with many mid-1980's OEM 
>Volkswagen speedometer/odometer units" I am unaware of any consistent 
>failure or recall campaign.  For more information on recalls you should 
>contact a local VW dealer or the NHTSA.  The NHTSA maintains a list of 
>manufacturer recall notices and maintains an office to handle consumer 
>inquiries.
>
>As for odometer failures in general, we maintain a service repair 
>department in Winchester and have extensive experience in gauge failures 
>and their causes.  Mechanical number wheel type odometers in particular 
>present a number of technical challenges, operating environment, 
>materials, lubricants, accuracy, and not the least, tamper resistance. 
>The latter point is important as we see a number of failed units that 
>have been damaged by tampering.  Other failure modes include drive gear 
>fractures, odometer housing wear, pinion gear failure, movement seizure, 
>and in the case of electrically driven units, printed circuit board and 
>motor failure. Should your car suffer a failure I highly recommend a 
>trip to your authorized VW dealer.  The dealer will charge more than the 
>local garage, but has access to parts, special tools, and service 
>information that most local garages don't.
>
>While the vast majority of VDO odometers have a life span in excess of 
>the original vehicle, a limited number of failures do occur and are 
>covered under the car makers warranty where it applies.  Failure outside 
>of the manufacturers warranty period, much the same as any other 
>mechanical part on the car, is a cost of ownership you and I must expect 
>and pay for.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>EB Kent
>Service Manager
>VDO North America - Parts and Service 
>Ekent@vdo.com
>540 678 2177 (fax2183)
>
>
------------------------------------------------- 
Kristoffer Tewkesbury
University of Michigan - College of Engineering 
http://www-personal.engin.umich.edu/~tewkes
email: tewkes@engin.umich.edu or tewkes@teleweb.net
     
     
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