VDO Speedos Suck!

[radcon]

After the odometer kept failing on my 110,000 mile speedo after numerous fixes, I decided to buy a 180 mph speedo with only 10,000 miles on it for a good price. Looked like brand new, performed like new---until I put 205.5 miles on it. Then it took a big dump. Why did Porsche continue to keep using this brand/style of speedo when they are proven to have odometers that fail on a frequent basis if you so much as look at them. Oh, and don't even think of resetting the odometer, that will cause it to self destruct!

[Doug E]

Are you resetting the odometer while the car is in motion or at rest? Only do it while at rest - otherwise you will strip the gears as you try to reset while they are trying to turn.

My '81 SC odometer lasted until 96k and I just had it rebuilt by N. Hollywood Speedo with no problems so far.

[Moses]

Originally posted by Doug E
- otherwise you will strip the gears as you try to reset while they are trying to turn.

Now that's some BAD engineering. I doubt there was ever a Toyota or Hundai built that would not allow you to reset the odometer while moving.

"Oh, but it's a delicate precision instrument!"

[Doug Zielke]

Originally posted by Doug E
Are you resetting the odometer while the car is in motion or at rest? Only do it while at rest - otherwise you will strip the gears as you try to reset while they are trying to turn.

That might be bad engineering all right, but a good tip. Thanks, Doug!

[ruf-porsche]

It's not just Porsche with this little idiosyncrasy, don't push the trip odometer on an Audi while it's moving. Must be a German thing.

[HarryD]

Originally posted by ruf-porsche
It's not just Porsche with this little idiosyncrasy, don't push the trip odometer on an Audi while it's moving. Must be a German thing.

"Vee only pushen der button ven der kar ist not movink"

[radcon]

I was already informed of the fragile nature of the VDO speedometers, so I've never reset the odometers of my first speedo or this one while in motion. I've never reset the odometer on my latest speedo at all. Didn't stop them from eating themselves however.