Odometer not counting anymore

Nico911 · 04-14-2013, 08:01 PM

I've had my Porsche for a week now at my home so I can start working on it to fix some little issues.

One of them is the odometer not working. The daily counter is stuck at 0000 and the total one doesn't want to move anymore either.

I know there's been a few threads about this but I would appreciate some fresh inputs from you guys so I can fix this problem quickly. Where to start, connections to check, etc...

Thanks

motorcop · 04-14-2013, 08:02 PM

common problem, plastic gear inside is broken.

Virus911s · Virus911s's Garage

Mine does that all the time... Just rapid push the reset...it will find its right grove

better to do it while driving, so you can see it working

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

Check and clean the connections under the cover ( where the shift coupler is) in front of the rear seats. There should be two wires there that are plugged together.
The trip meter is likely the gear has disintegrated in the speedo.

rinverso · rinverso's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Virus911s

Mine does that all the time... Just rapid push the reset...it will find its right grove

better to do it while driving, so you can see it working

are you serious, never heard that one

seymore · 04-14-2013, 08:38 PM

Might I suggest doing a search....

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Virus911s

Mine does that all the time... Just rapid push the reset...it will find its right grove

better to do it while driving, so you can see it working

break the platic gear! If it was not already broken, it will be after doing this! You should only reset the odometers when at rest.

Chuck.H · Chuck.H's Garage

It broke because you pressed the reset; get it fixed and never do that again.

After breaking two gears gingerly pressing reset (while stopped) I gave up resetting the trip odo, and now haven't pressed it (or had a broken odo gear) in over 200k miles.

HTH,
Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 350k miles

Nico911 · 04-15-2013, 05:04 AM

Thanks guys, good stuff.

Drisump · Drisump's Garage

I sent mine to North Hollywood Speedometer. It was done quickly and cost approx. $140. If you're so inclined, Wayne's book on the 911 explains how to do it yourself. Since I live in a remote place as I do, I didn't want to deal with the issue of requiring more parts and then waiting for them. Cheers

PDACPA · PDACPA's Garage

I never press the reset (on any car) unless at a standstill. Common issue, broken gear.

porwolf · 04-15-2013, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drisump

I sent mine to North Hollywood Speedometer. It was done quickly and cost approx. $140. If you're so inclined, Wayne's book on the 911 explains how to do it yourself. Since I live in a remote place as I do, I didn't want to deal with the issue of requiring more parts and then waiting for them. Cheers

+1 on North Hollywood Speedometer. Just had them do it recently. They also changed my original 79SC face plate from 150 MPH to the combination 160 MPH/KPH face plate and recalibrated the gauge. Works perfectly now. Since I live in LA I brought the speedometer to them. They are old style craftsmen and have been repairing and modifying VDO gauges forever.

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

I had NHS rework ALL of my gauges on a resto project,..perfect results!

BEST!

Doyle

boyt911sc · boyt911sc's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico911

I've had my Porsche for a week now at my home so I can start working on it to fix some little issues.

One of them is the odometer not working. The daily counter is stuck at 0000 and the total one doesn't want to move anymore either.

I know there's been a few threads about this but I would appreciate some fresh inputs from you guys so I can fix this problem quickly. Where to start, connections to check, etc...

Thanks

Nico,

If you like to fix this odometer problem of yours, search and read several posts about this simple and easy project. The replacement odometer gear is only $25 plus shipping. I used the 20/30 white plastic gear for the USA speedometer. You'll know what gear you'll need after dissecting the speedometer. The gears are color coded (see parts catalog).

The first challenge is the removal of the speedometer from the dashboard. I removed my steering wheel to get better access and had more room to work with. Keep us posted.

Tony

porwolf · 04-15-2013, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boyt911sc

Nico,

If you like to fix this odometer problem of yours, search and read several posts about this simple and easy project. The replacement odometer gear is only $25 plus shipping. I used the 20/30 white plastic gear for the USA speedometer. You'll know what gear you'll need after dissecting the speedometer. The gears are color coded (see parts catalog).

The first challenge is the removal of the speedometer from the dashboard. I removed my steering wheel to get better access and had more room to work with. Keep us posted.

Tony

I got my speedometer out with the help of a stiff 2" putty knife. I added 2 layers of heavy Scoth pakking tape over the the front of the tool and slowly wedged out the rubber retaining ring together with the speedometer from the bottom of the dashboard. The rubber was kind of stiff and it took some prodding. But little by little I could move it forward, away from the dash. I did not have to take off the steering wheel or another gauge.

Drisump · Drisump's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by porwolf

I got my speedometer out with the help of a stiff 2" putty knife. I added 2 layers of heavy Scoth pakking tape over the the front of the tool and slowly wedged out the rubber retaining ring together with the speedometer from the bottom of the dashboard. The rubber was kind of stiff and it took some prodding. But little by little I could move it forward, away from the dash. I did not have to take off the steering wheel or another gauge.

I agree, in a conventional OEM set up there is no reason to remove the steering wheel, just make sure that you take a picture or take notes about which wire goes where. Cheers

boyt911sc · boyt911sc's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drisump

I agree, in a conventional OEM set up there is no reason to remove the steering wheel, just make sure that you take a picture or take notes about which wire goes where. Cheers

I have a removal steering with a quick disconnect set-up. Even on a standard steering wheel set-up, it takes a minute or 2 to remove and install the steering wheel. But some people has not removed the steering wheel before and I understand the anxiety.

Tony

Nico911 · 04-16-2013, 06:17 AM

Thanks guys. I'll start by checking those connections between the rear seats and I'll go to the dashboard if needed !

Nico

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

I've spoken with PA and NH speedo guys.....both say the reset when moving thing is a wive's tale. It breaks because it's ready to do so.....you just notice it easier when it's not moving and you are.......

porwolf · 04-16-2013, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico911

Thanks guys. I'll start by checking those connections between the rear seats and I'll go to the dashboard if needed !

Nico

If the speedometer still shows the speed while driving and only the odometer (counting total miles driven) stopped working, then the plastic worm gear inside the speedometer is probably broken. There is no need to check the signal from the transmission, it is OK.