Foxx (in a box) - VW - Odometer Repair

 Odometer Repair

     Due the the request for this tutorial, I've finally made the time to put it up. It should be noted that there are two types of odometers out there. One is part of the speedometer unit (which should be similar to the one described here) and the other is a seperate odometer unit in clear plastic (which is what this tutorial deals with). I would strongly suggest finding or using a dead odometer before doing this on your only odometer. Now might also be a good time to consider coloured gauge faces and/or changing your instrument lighting colour.

Tools Required

  • Small Sloted Screwdriver
  • Regular Sloted Screwdriver
  • #2 Phillips Screwdriver
  • 1/4" Socket and Ratchet
  • 7mm Combination Wrench

Instrument Cluster - Removal

  • Remove the knee panel using the 7mm wrench to remove the bolt on the side and the slotted screwdriver to remove the posts. Remove the other screws as necessary.
  • Remove the frame around the instrument cluster.
  • From below, remove the speedometer cable and two wiring plugs.
  • Remove the screw holding the cluster to the dash. Turn cluster 90°, drivers-side in, and pull through space in steering wheel.
     (Ed. Note: more extensive removal and disassembly instructions can be found at       http://da-studios.freeyellow.com)

Instrument Cluster - Disassembly

  • Remove the lightbulbs from the rear of the cluster by turning them 90°
  • Remove the eight gold screws by using the Phillips screwdriver or the 1/4" socket.
  • Gently remove the top of the circuit paper from the pins.
  • Turn the cluster completely over holding the back to the front.
  • Gently lift up on the casing. The back should fall off with little effort.
  • Gently pry up on the speedometer needle. Use even pressure on both sides of the needle at the same time or you can break the needle or bend the shaft.
  • Use the small slotted screwdriver to remove the two screws holding the gauge face in place. Now you'll find out which type of odometer unit you have. If you're odometer unit is not a seperate unit, then what follows below may not apply to you. Proceed at your own risk.
  • Locate and press the tabs holding the green circuit board on top and to the left of the odometer unit. Use even pressure and pull up. There are three prongs on the back of the circuit board. Be careful not to bend these.
  • Use the small sloted screwdriver and gently pry up on the gold spring ring surrounding the speedometer needle shaft. (Ed. Note: In my experience, it is probably not necessary to always remove this spring unit, as the red gear, which is described below, is commonly the source of the problem, and car be R&R'd without removing this gold spring).
  • Use the other sloted screwdriver to remove the four screws holding the odometer unit in place.

Odometer Unit Repair

You must found out the source of your problem here. It can be one of two things:

Red Outside Gear

     While holding onto the gold inside number gear, turn the red gear. If the shaft is turning with the gear, then your problem is below. If the shaft is not turning with the gear, then you'll have to replace the gear. Count the teeth on the gear and purchase a new one. Install using a bit of epoxy. (Ed. Note: Sometimes the red gear is just slipping on the metal rod, removing the red gear, knurling the rod, and putting the red gear back will fix a slipping red gear. Often the red gear is split, which is obviously the source of the slippage. Epoxy might fix it, but replacement is advisable.)

Gold Inside Number Gear

     If you've done the above and found the red gear to be in working order, then this is your problem. You must pull the rod out of the gear and odometer numbers and burr the end of the rod with a knife or other such object. You can burr too much and then your rod will be useless. Be careful. Replace the rod and now it should fit tightly within the gold gear. Spin the red gear on the end and make sure everything is in working order.

     Replace the odometer unit and follow the above directions in reverse order to put your cluster back together again. If you've done everything correctly and fixed the problem, then you should have a working odometer. When reattaching the speedometer needle, don't put it on at 0 (mph/kmh), but before it. There should be a little tick mark at the bottom near the reset pin. Line it up with that to get the correct spring tension.

Odometer - Mileage Resetting

     This is, perhaps, the most daunting of the tasks. This is the easiest and, maybe, safest way of resetting the mileage on your odometer. It should be known that you must note this alteration when selling your car.

  • Using the small slotted screwdriver, place it between the small gears in the top of the odometer unit.
  • Slowly turn the scrwedriver so as to make the space between the gears larger.
  • Turn the corresponding number wheel (to the right of the gear) to your desired number. Be careful not to strip the gear.
  • Repeat as necessary to set appropriate mileage. 
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Duplication of this tutorial is permitted as long as the information contained within is not changed in any way. Questions or comments can be sent to: foxxinabox@core.com or visit my homepage at http://foxx.tripod.com
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