Adjusting Clock

[Dan in Pasadena]

Second attempt to post this thread.
I already did a search on this topic and found some threads saying to: remove/clean/adjust/wait 12 hours to verify/re-adjust as required. No pictures in them.

So, I removed my slow running clock last night to find a smaller-than-a-dime round sticker on the back of it with the acronym PPI on it in red & white letters. There are the remnants of an ink stamp either under or possibly over the sticker (but rubbed away if it was over). I took the tiny bulb out to read it and it is a Phillips 12V 2W bulb with the number 12829 on it. These English words lead me to think it has been worked on since the factory (?)

There are three tiny nuts spread across the back of the clock which appear to be the only way to gain access to the inside of the clock. No other externally visible way to adjust it unless it is a screw behind that little PPI sticker.

Can someone with experience tell me:
Is removing the nuts is the way in?
What type of cleaner to use (spray? Radioshack?)
Anything to watch out for?

Advice appreciated.

P.S. I can post a picture later if you need to see it.

[Dan in Pasadena]

A little help guys?

[Dan in Pasadena]

Okay, dove in and here's the pictures. NOticethe tiny scratch aligned with the slot in the adjustment screw. I put that there to track where I started. MAde a TINY adjustment just to see if it slows or speeds the clock, re-installed and will post results tomorrow, Dan


Clock with cover removed


Adjustment screw and tiny scratch to note where I started.

[jclotter]

Hi there just read your post about the clock.I have similar problem in my 79 Sc.Would like to know wether you fixed it by adjusting the screw1

[Mysterytrain]

Actually, I'm looking at all that room on the housing for another two light sockets! The factory cheaped out!

[lagrassa]

Dan

I had a simialr problem with the clock on my '70T. I think you're on the right track with the adjustment screw. I did the same thing, and it was a trial and error process to get it right. Make only small adjustments. In my case, the clock finally died and I replaced it with a quartz clock from a later year. Much much better in terms of acccuracy and it looks perfectly correct, except for the small quartz lettering near where it says VDO. Alternatively, you could get the mechanical clock converted to quartz, but in my case I picked up the new clock for a song on EBay.

[Jesset100]

Dan, thanks for diving in there.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_vdo_clock_repair/mult_vdo_clock_repair.htm

edit>>http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/mult_vdo_clock_repair/mult_vdo_clock_repair2.htm

[Steve 82SC]

Dan,

I had a similar issue with a slow running clock after I re-adjusted it for daylight savings. I noticed that if the adjustment stalk isn't all the way in on its spring after you adjust it, it will run slow. The ticking sound of my clock was different (louder) when the shaft wasn't fully seated.

Steve

[lagrassa]

Steve is correct. The shop that I had my clock repaired in (2 times) advised me of that little quirk.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Sorry I haven't responded guys. I've been on a house related projects for a couple of days. Initially, no one seemd too interested in this little clock thread, so thanks for your interest.

jclotter - I actually haven't walked out to the car to check what my adjustment did! 6am here and drizzling. I'll go check in a little while and post.

lagrassa & Steve - Good little tip. I think you mean if the adjustment stalk doesn't come OUT all the way after adjusting the time, right? I press mine in to adjust. Had never thought of that though. By the way, as far as I know you can't hear any ticking...I'll check

Sorry for the fuzzy focus on the pictures. I can't seem to get my cameras to focus that closely. Thanks to whomever mentioned the later quartz clock. That will be my fall back option. Does anyone know what year the clocks switched over from electromechanical to quartz?

EDIT: I guess if I'd read the link provided I'd have read that the clock change over (per the link) was 1973....well, uh oh! my car is a '76 and has the early or Type I clock SO, either someone put a back dated clock in it or the changeonver point is much later on 911's than on 914's.

[Gunter]

Unless it's a daily driver, install a small switch for the 12V supply.
That's what I did because I don't want the clock to run all the time when the car sits for days or weeks. It extends the life-span.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Gunter, If you read through the link provided you'll see that the use of elctricity is tiny, miniscule. It should be of zero concern over weeks or even a few months. It uses sort of an inertia wheel so the amount of electricity is a tiny amount every 3-4 minutes, not continuously. As for longevity?! Mine is already 30 yesrs old, if it blew up tomorrow its not like I could complain. I think this clock (if kept clean internally) will last basically forever.

[Don Z.]

My '74 is mechanical... so I'd guess the changeover to Quartz was not '73.

As I recall when I had mine out, there is a set of points. The clock winds down until the points close, 12 volts go through and rewind the spring... until it winds down again six minutes or so later...

Electric drain is minimal. I guess constant running could wear out the mechanical pieces... but hell, my feeling is that if you don't want parts on the car to wear, you can never use it!

[Gunter]

I am not concerned about current drain; but more about wear.
My 911 is not always in use and I don't see any reason why some items should run unnecessary.
Alarm stays on.
Clock is off.
10-CD changer is off.
RD is off.
But, whatever makes you happy.

[jclotter]

Any suggestions in fixing a slow running electronic clock?Already checked for dry solders and loose connections.

[Dan in Pasadena]

jclotter, check that link aboved. There was some info in it about the elctronic clocks but I skipped over it since I was concerned about mine is electromechanical.

By the way, my little adjustment wasn't enough it is still running slow. 9 minutes after a day and a half. Not even sure I am turning the screw in the right direction. I will adjust again and see if it gets better or worse. Obviously, this is an iterative process.

[bavaria911]

Old but good thread.
So my VDO clock is running very fast. In a 2 day period the clock will run 2 hrs fast.
Do I turn the clock adjustment screw counter clock wise for a 1/4 turn or more?

Scott