Is It Safe To Drive A Car w/o Gauges

[Doug&Julie]

So I've sent off all of the gauges in my '86 911 to NH Speedo...the odo needed fixing and I'm going to have all of the bezels replaced with chrome pieces...but it's been two weeks since I've sent the gauges off and they're only just now looking at them to give me a formal quote. (...GRRR...by the way..) So I'm guessing it'll be another two weeks before I get them back. I'd like to drive my car...partly because she could use the exercise, but also because I miss driving it! Is there any harm in running her like this?



..or should I just be patient and let her sit?

Good thing nobody bought my 912E this weekend, or I'd have nothing fun to drive.

Thanks in advance...

[Reiver]

Be patient, lots of open circuits there and more importantly, ni info on what's happening with your motor

[DRACO A5OG]

Heck, I did for 2 weeks, while waiting for NHS to do their magic, lucky I have a radio volt meter and speedo. As far as Tach, I listen carefully

Just short trips you should be okay but tape off all the contact so you wont create a short :-o

[CCM911]

Not to hijack your thread, but I also am about to send my speedo off to NHS. Should I expect a two week wait?

[RWebb]

D+ the energizer circuit for the alt. goes thru the bulb, so you will run down your batter after a while

other issues include wring exposed and swinging with g-forces, and possibility having a nice discussion with a cop about why you are driving a car with no instruments

a woman in PDX got a $160 ticket last week for having a small dog on her lap and no other reason, suggesting a certain hunger for revenue and consequent vigilance by le gendarmes

[Doug&Julie]

Thanks for the replies, I think I'll be waiting. Maybe tonight I'll just sit in the driver seat and make vroom vroom sounds...

Originally Posted by CCM911

Not to hijack your thread, but I also am about to send my speedo off to NHS. Should I expect a two week wait?

Well...I see how NH Speedo does such great things to our gauges, but right now I'm a little frustrated with their customer service. I sent my gauges to them mid-May, arriving on May 17th (they didn't tell me this, I know because I sent it insured mail with signature of receipt). I'd sent them three e-mails since with zero replies. Today I called them for an update and was told "they're on the bosses desk, he'll call you today or tomorrow with a quote". GRRRR! Me thinks had I not called, they'd be sitting longer. I get it if you're busy, but the customer should be told and kept updated. So I'm guessing it'll be another two weeks before I get them back based on the work needed to be done.

So...to answer your question...if summer is "the busy season", I'd say you'll be waiting longer than two weeks. What do you want to have done with them? That will also have a lot to do with how long it takes....for example, when I first called to ask about pricing (before sending my gauges out), I told them I needed my odo gear fixed and am thinking about having the bezels chromed. He said the gear fix only takes a couple of days and the bezels are actually 912 items that they just replace...maybe a week. So I sent my gauges, following their instructions to a T and...well here we are...still.

[Doug&Julie]

Originally Posted by Doug&Julie

...here we are...still.

Great ironies (or coincidences)...I just got a call as I was posting the above.

So NH Speedo is "going on two months" for restorations...they're very busy. He told me, since mine is not a restoration, he'd try to work them in and should be able to get them done in two weeks. So there we are...

Amazing what a little communication and information can do to one's mood.

[theclaw]

I was pulled over for going just a wee bit over the limit one time. My speedo was at Palo Alto Speedo for repairs. State trooper asked where it was. I told him. He then wrote me up for "unsafe equipment" in addition to speeding. Cops do not like it.

[rusnak]

I would wait, personally. Too many wires can get mixed up, and then you'll be frustrated.

I mean, if it were only one gauge then fine. But you have them ALL out. I'd wait.

[lateapex911]

Yea, no alternator function without gauges, no tach, and...no oil pressure either. Unlikely the engine will suddenly loose OP but....big consequences if it does and you have no idea.

[TimT]

I was pulled over for going just a wee bit over the limit one time. My speedo was at Palo Alto Speedo for repairs.

Same thing happened to me a few years back...

I was driving to my house in rural Vermont, and got pulled over....

The trooper was pretty cool when I explained that my speedo was out to be calibrated...Showed him the open hole in the dash..

He actually cracked up a bit and let me go...

Having all the gauges out.... I would at least tape up the bare connectors etc.... so you dont get any fried fuses...

And the alternator circuit is a concern..

[DRACO A5OG]

Alt light still functions, it is not ground by the gauges, only the housing lights are grounded, need to tape those off for sure.

Use your Cell Phone Speedo, it is free

[Peter Zimmermann]

Don't drive it; that will be the one time the alt belt breaks, or...

Many years ago I had a good customer who let the insurance lapse on his P-car. He knew he wasn't covered when he left his house (one day lapse in coverage), but he thought that he would put his new policy in force when he got to work. He didn't get there, and his car was totaled on the way. He healed, but the $25K dent in his wallet was far more painful than his injuries.

[Doug&Julie]

Just arrived...GORGEOUS! So pretty, I almost don't want to put them in the car. ..almost.

[wolds]

Hey Doug,

Make sure you come up to Granville for P2O last week of July, would like to see your gauges in person.

Warren

Originally Posted by Doug&Julie

Just arrived...GORGEOUS! So pretty, I almost don't want to put them in the car. ..almost.

[Neilk]

Looks great.

I like the tack with the volt meter, was that standard?

How much does the restoration cost?

Thanks,
Neil

[Doug&Julie]

We haven't registered for P2O, but I'm hoping to get up there as a visitor if nothing else. Sadly, I was laid off last Friday (6/7), so I'm really not sure what our car situation will be by the end of July. (..or we may be in Oregon!) I'm desperately trying to keep her, so we'll see!

Installed! I wish I could tell you how they work but evidently one month and three days is too long for a 911 to sit and keep its battery charged... So test drive after sitting with the battery tender for a day. Still....they look damn good!

[Doug&Julie]

Originally Posted by Neilk

Looks great.

I like the tack with the volt meter, was that standard?

How much does the restoration cost?

Thanks,
Neil

Thanks! Kurt (the PO) had the volt meter added to the tach previously, so I can't help you with cost on that. He also had the tach changed to have redline at 12 o'clock.

I had the odometer repaired and the bezels changed out to chrome (912 units). Those were $50 a piece, plus $130 for the odo fix. I also had them address some moisture issue in one of the combo gauges. In all, plus shipping from there, my bill was just a hair over $500.

...not that I have $500 to spend on my car right now... ...must sell more parts...

[buzdrum]

Hi, Our turnaround time is 1-3 weeks depending on work. Just thought Id let you know,

Buz
seattlespeedometer.com