VDO speedo with a bellyache

bobofthenorth · December 01, 2009, 06:05:12 PM

My VDO electronic speedo started acting up today. At first it was just reading silly - like 60 MPH when we were barely moving but now it pins itself at the top whenever I turn the key on. I've tried the easy stuff like making sure the ground is good. And I think I have ruled out the sender and the harness because it appears that the odometer is still accurate.

Anybody got any suggestions. Other than a new speedo head.

Len Silva · December 01, 2009, 06:10:34 PM

See if this helps.

http://www.egauges.com/Inst_PDF.asp

Melbo · December 01, 2009, 06:55:54 PM

the number for VDO is eight hundred 2 five six eightteen 18 and there is a way to reset them but I can't find it the manual HTH

Melbo

bobofthenorth · December 05, 2009, 11:13:38 AM

The speedo seems to have healed itself. I'm pretty leary of that kind of fix but in this case I think the issue may actually be my alternator. A flaky diode in the alternator appears to be a possible cause of the symptoms I had. I've been suspicious of the alternator for a while and intend to either rebuild or replace it within the next couple of weeks. I'm still not sure how the odometer could work without the speedo being at least close to accurate but there's lot of things in this world that I don't understand.

Melbo · December 05, 2009, 04:37:28 PM

Well bob you can't fix it if it isn't broken

Melbo

JohnEd · December 05, 2009, 04:54:30 PM

Your diode theory makes perfect sense. Let me know what alternator you have and I might be able to send you all the parts for cheap. I WILL be able to send you info on that particular alt in terms of what usually breaks/wears out and the best fixes.

Don't be askert li'll feller

John

bobofthenorth · December 05, 2009, 05:11:10 PM

Quote from: Melbo on December 05, 2009, 04:37:28 PM
Well bob you can't fix it if it isn't broken
Melbo

Since I often can't fix it when it IS broken its a really good thing when I find something that isn't broken.

white-eagle · December 06, 2009, 06:19:04 AM

are you bringing this down so that all of us can verify what Melbo said? "if it ain't broke..." i think you need at least 5 busnuts at the bussin rally to check into all your actions, share some pinch, and discuss the options

Melbo · December 06, 2009, 09:00:46 AM

Tom

We will have to check it out at Quartzite this year as Billie and I won't be in Florida. I wish that were not the case but that is one long haul. However you could head our way and we could check things out the end of January. I am sure that we could find at least 5 busnuts to check the options and maybe a bottle of pinch to boot.

Melbo

white-eagle · December 06, 2009, 03:57:10 PM

melbo,

i'll pick some up for you and tip one for you. Not sure we'll ever get that far west again, so enjoy quartzite and i'll enjoy Arcadia. hopefully, bob will get to one party or another, but who knows at what speed?

he'll be wondering why everyone is pasisng him since the speedo says 75, and he's really doing 40.

bobofthenorth · December 06, 2009, 04:23:56 PM

Just to set your mind at ease Tom I can always look at my GPS. Except that it runs on my laptop and apparently its illegal for me to look at a computer while I'm in California. We'll miss having you to buy Pinch in Quartzsite. Any chance you've got a tab running somewhere out here? We wouldn't want you to feel left out or anything. Mel & I aren't really eligible to attend an Eagle rally. But I'm thinking maybe you aren't eligible to drink with us anymore either.