Clock loses time overnight

[rackjack]

Can't seem to locate a problem. If it would just quit it would be different. Basically, it works for a couple of days, or weeks, but I'll come out one morning (my daily commuter SC) and the clock will have stopped around 01:00 - 03:00. Doesn't quit during a regular 8-hour day but when shut down it seems to quit about 8.5 - 10 hours later. Start-up and it's working fine and never loses time when the car's running. Thing is, if the gear-train were bad it should stop during the day around the same time (13:00 - 15:00).

The battery's fine and I haven't suffered any electrical issues.

Anyone else experience this? I would just replace it (the previous owner replaced it around 5,000 miles ago) but I'm not certain it's the clock and not some electrical idiosyncrasy.

[RSBob]

do a search on clock repair. there is a guy here who does repairs for cheap

[steely]

That is odd. Dumb idea - try setting it up 12 hours to see if it dies in the PM after your morning commute? Maybe something to do with the gears.

[rackjack]

That's the problem, it stops at around 01:30 - 03:30 but it doesn't stop at 1:30 - 3:30 PM. I have spun it around but it shouldn't matter, being a 12-hour clock. So, it quits at 1:30 - 3:30 AM but not PM.

If it quit at both, it would obviously be the clock's gear train and an obvious problem.

[gtc]

Possibly a temperature issue. Sometimes they slow down/stop when it's cold. Old, gummed up grease is the culprit.

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by rackjack

That's the problem, it stops at around 01:30 - 03:30 but it doesn't stop at 1:30 - 3:30 PM. I have spun it around but it shouldn't matter, being a 12-hour clock. So, it quits at 1:30 - 3:30 AM but not PM.

If it quit at both, it would obviously be the clock's gear train and an obvious problem.

rackjack,

I'm no clock expert so I'm just throwing some thought. The face of the clock is a 12-hour dial, but inside might be a 24-hour gear. Just thinking loud. Someone with actual experience in servicing these clocks should have a better suggestion.

Tony

[bdisco]

I've heard about this, you've traveled back in time what you need is a flux capacitor and some plutonium to generate 1.21 gigawatts...

[CCM911]

Originally Posted by bdisco

I've heard about this, you've traveled back in time what you need is a flux capacitor and some plutonium to generate 1.21 gigawatts...

But doesn't this apply only to the Delorean automobile?

[rackjack]

I test drove a DeLorean with an automatic and I'm not sure it could reach the requisite 88 MPH.

[Nick Triesch]

My clock does the very same thing since I have owned the car. Works great on a trip. Then several hours it just stops after the car is parked. . I was told to put in a new capacitor and a resistor and that should fix the problem. Mine keeps perfect time on a trip. My Wife told me that if it works on a trip then what is the problem? Nick

[86 911 Targa]

Originally Posted by rackjack

Can't seem to locate a problem. If it would just quit it would be different. Basically, it works for a couple of days, or weeks, but I'll come out one morning (my daily commuter SC) and the clock will have stopped around 01:00 - 03:00. Doesn't quit during a regular 8-hour day but when shut down it seems to quit about 8.5 - 10 hours later. Start-up and it's working fine and never loses time when the car's running. Thing is, if the gear-train were bad it should stop during the day around the same time (13:00 - 15:00).

The battery's fine and I haven't suffered any electrical issues.

Anyone else experience this? I would just replace it (the previous owner replaced it around 5,000 miles ago) but I'm not certain it's the clock and not some electrical idiosyncrasy.

Many times the issue is only two capacitors.

Here's a link:

Fixed my clock

And here's the capacitors:




Hope this helps.

Gerry

[KB0903]

Easy explanation.. Someone's ghost lives in your car.

[Por_sha911]

Being gummed up when its cold sounds plausible. Also, is your battery and charging system 100%? Maybe it is stopping due to marginally lower voltage from sitting?

[rackjack]

My thanks to all of you for your responses and suggestions. The charge system is in great shape and my Fluke shows just under 14v for the battery in the morning, prior to startup.

I'm going to dismantle it and check the lubrication but I am thinking that 86 911 Targa's suggestion is the most viable explanation and fix.

After is solder in some new caps, I'll post the results. The previous owner replaced the clock around the time of the Capacitor Plague. I recall numerous motherboards, and other electronics, of that period that had bulging, leaking caps.

rackjack

[steely]

would be very interested in a follow-up. It's odd to think that the caps would involve a problem with such a weird time-constant, but let us know.

[efhughes3]

It's the temperature. Mine's done that for 10 years, during the cooler months. Seems like over 60F, it's fine. One of the quirks of Ruby, that I've learned to know and love.

[Omegablueray]

Mine just started doing the same thing since we hit cooler days in the low 40's to 30's degree temps. Runs fine while im driving and stops over night.

[mclmk8d]

Does your chewing gum lose its flavor on the bedpost overnight also?
(sorry, first thing that popped into my mind when I saw the word overnight...took me back to my childhood)

[rackjack]

Thank you all for your input.

I wound up using the Radio Shack 272-1028, the 100 microfarad 35 Volt caps.

This appears to have cured the problem. The most difficult aspect was removing the bezel without destroying it. I misunderstood the posted tech article instructions. The edge of the bezel is crimped over and you have to pry it up a bit at a time and then crimp it back once reinstalled. The instructions left me with the impression that it would sort of pop-off with sufficient encouragement. However, you have to actually bend/un-crimp



Once off, it was an easy fix. I used a small block of hardwood and a small pair of Channel-Locks to re-crimp it. The pros typically use bezel rolling tools but building one isn't worth it unless you're doing this on a regular basis.

[rackjack]

Additional follow-up;

so, after 6 weeks the clock has functioned flawlessly. Until this weekend. Parked early Friday afternoon and by Monday morning it lost about 17 minutes. (Keep in mind that it used to lose 4 or 5 hours a night on colder/sub 60 degree nights.)

I'm going to keep track of it and make sure it's not a fluke. I did reset the white tell-tale and maybe the set knob had engaged the movement and I didn't notice.

However, it has functioned flawlessly for 6 weeks down to about 38 degrees (F) in the garage without stopping.