82SC Odometer inop - may be due to brown wire on back unplugged?

[Kerschbaumer]

Bought the car last spring and Odo has always been inoperable. I pulled it out of the dash to begin disassembly for the typical causes (pot metal gear or broken teeth) but immediately noticed one of the brown wires was disconnected. Service manual indicates a brown wire going to the 'mileage counter'

Before I tear into the process of removing the bezel and disassembling I wanted to ask the group if it could be as simple as this wire being disconnected? (it does slip on/off with little resistance)

The obvious answer is to go drive it and find out if reconnecting the wire fixes the Odo but she is is in storage for the winter so driving it to turn the Odo not an easy option, and I dont want to wait till spring to find out I have to disassemble or send it out for repair.

Image attached of disconnected wire, Thanks

[pete3799]

Put it on jack stands, start the car and put it in gear.

[Kerschbaumer]

Yeah, could do. Was trying to avoid starting her up while she is hibernating, but maybe best option

[Oh Haha]

I did a quick search here but didn't find a certain answer.

The brown wire probably goes to the OXS light and the counter behind the gauges to tell you when to replace the 02 sensor.

The odometer gear is purely mechanical. I sent my gauge out to have the gear replaced after unsuccessfully trying to replace it myself.