BCM Community

Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Matt Crowder on April 05, 2025, 03:50:06 PM

Title: 99 MCI 102DL3 Speedometer Questions
Post by: Matt Crowder on April 05, 2025, 03:50:06 PM
The PO of our 102DL3 removed (and somehow lost) the speedometer sensor and bracket when replacing the drivers drum.

I tracked down the bracket and magnetic sensor, installed the 4x 1/4-20 bolts at 90 degree separation in the drum, and set the gap on the sensor. The speedometer now moves, but it and the odometer are about 50% low.

From reading other posts on here, I recall that the dip switches on the back of the speedometer are for the odometer and the set screw adjustment is for the speedometer. Unfortunately, even at the extreme on the set screw, the speedometer is still off by at least 15%.

I also haven't been able to find any documentation on what the dip switches should be set at. We are using 315/80R22.5 tires that are 481 rev/mile.

I thought about doubling the number of bolts on the drum from 4 to 8, but the speedometer and sensor are both the correct MCI parts for which the manual states 4 bolts is correct.

Does anyone have any thoughts on fixing this? I guess it's possible the speedometer is just bad.
Does the gap adjustment on the sensor alter the reported speed?

Thanks!
Title: Re: 99 MCI 102DL3 Speedometer Questions
Post by: Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM on April 06, 2025, 08:18:07 AM
For what it's worth, I never look at the speedo on my Eagle bus dash. I monitor it on my Garmin GPS as it is digital and easier to see.  I also reset my Trip 2 Odometer on my GPS every time I fuel up, as my gas gauge also does not work.

Title: Re: 99 MCI 102DL3 Speedometer Questions
Post by: luvrbus on April 06, 2025, 11:56:08 AM
Install a digital speedometer there are 2 cavities'  on the  ECM for those  E-2 and E-3 if you have the series 60 Detroit
Title: Re: 99 MCI 102DL3 Speedometer Questions
Post by: Matt Crowder on April 21, 2025, 07:22:09 PM
Just wanted to follow up with the solution in the event anyone else runs into this.

I think there is a typo in the maintenance manuals I have. The maintenance manual says the Dixon speedometer is supposed to have 4x bolts. It says the same thing for the alternate Sigmanetics. Given that information, I had initially installed 4x 1/4-20 bolts which was giving me about 1/2 the expected speed.

After looking closer, I noticed that while the maintenance book says 4x bolts, the parts book actually lists 8x 1/4-20 bolts for the installation. Once I verified the front wheel speed sensor wasn't used for anything else like tag steering (it's speed switch is tied to the transmission / road speed generator), I decided to give it a try.

Sure enough, after changing to 8x bolts both the speedometer and odometer were pretty much spot on accurate.