Speedometer Removal

bbarrington · 12-30-2009, 11:40 AM

Hi,

I've got an '88 Carrera with a dead odometer. The speedometer is still operating normally, so I suspect the gears inside the gauge. But I need to remove it from the car first.

I've attached a photo of the back of the gauge. I'm not sure how to remove the wires that terminate with the cylindrical red plastic connectors. Looks like you can slide them off to one side perhaps, but I'm reluctant without more knowledge. Can anyone help?

Regards,

Bill

Rot 911 · 12-30-2009, 11:42 AM

Tiny screw driver or edge of knife. Pry up on metal lip not the red plastic piece.

bbarrington · 12-30-2009, 12:28 PM

Thanks. Definitely sounds like you have been there, done that.

Let me ask you another, related, question... Is it normal to see connectors in the hole vacated by the gauge that are not connected to anything? I see 2 female butt connectors (a Y), one female blade connector, and one male blade connector hanging out in space. The latter is housed in a protected plastic well. I was very gentle when I pulled the gauge out. I hope I didn't inadvertently disconnect anything when doing so.

Thanks, again.

Rot 911 · 12-30-2009, 01:10 PM

I suspect the wire that was not connected was for your annoying CASIS shift light. Should be a black wire.

smokinrz · 07-03-2010, 08:55 AM

I am in the process of removing my speedo tp send to North Hollywood Speedometer to replace the odometer gear on my 87 Carrera. I have all the wires and bulbs out except for the ones with the black sheathing. Do these just work loose individually or do they all come off with the nylon block? Thanks!

5String43 · 07-03-2010, 09:09 AM

The black wires, those plugging into the red plastic pieces, are the bulbs that illumiinate the speedo. They come out WITH the nylon block, and with the metal ring at the base of that block. Just carefully pry them away from the body of the unit with a fine screwdriver blade.

smokinrz · 07-03-2010, 09:29 AM

Okay I have the bulbs out, but the wires with the black covers in the back going into the white nylon block are a little tight. I'm almost certain they just come out individually with a little force but I hate that feeling when I have been forcing something that was never meant to come apart

.

1990C4S · 07-03-2010, 09:31 AM

The search feature is your friend. There are lots of good threads...

86 911 Targa · 07-03-2010, 09:43 AM

WHEN RE-INSTALLING:

1. IGNITION KEY "OFF".

2. RECONNECT THE RED/BLACK WIRE LAST.

JFairman · 07-03-2010, 10:03 AM

Just wondering why that wire should be connected last?

I replaced the dry rotted and crumbling clear plastic odometer gear in my speedometer and I didn't reconnect the wires in any sequence, I really doubt I connected that one last and it works perfectly fine.

The gear that runs off the odometer motor worm gear was $20 from Palo Alto speedometer a couple years ago and is easy to replace. I think you can buy it from Pelican too. They all eventually dryrot, the amount of time it takes depends on climate and humidity.

For some reason that clear plastic gear is a different plastic than all the other white plastic gears and after around 20 years it turns into wax and the teeth crumble off leaving you with no odometer.

86 911 Targa · 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFairman

Just wondering why that wire should be connected last?

I replaced the dry rotted and crumbling clear plastic odometer gear in my speedometer and I didn't reconnect the wires in any sequence, I really doubt I connected that one last and it works perfectly fine.

The gear that runs off the odometer motor worm gear was $20 from Palo Alto speedometer a couple years ago and is easy to replace. I think you can buy it from Pelican too. They all eventually dryrot, the amount of time it takes depends on climate and humidity.

For some reason that clear plastic gear is a different plastic than all the other white plastic gears and after around 20 years it turns into wax and the teeth crumble off leaving you with no odometer.

Just a precautionary step.

I was advised by our local speedometer/gauge shop that connecting the power wire first
may damage the IC.

This could be a real issue on the earlier cars as the IC is no longer available.

smokinrz · 07-03-2010, 05:47 PM

I got it out. The black wires just come loose. I was a little shy after yanking on the bulb wires only to go back and research that you have to pry the whole light sockets out.

I have another question which I have already searched. My speedo stays at O mph and then comes alive at about 30mph after moving along. Seems to be a common problem but I never found a solutuion. Just wondering if this was something that needs to be repaired when I send it in. Thanks for the replies everyone.

1990C4S · 07-04-2010, 06:19 AM

My car is the same. I have never heard of a solution.

rs6er · rs6er's Garage

Stealing this thread to get an answer to a question I got no responses to and which is not covered in any of the threads. Where does the big black rubber piece (circled in the picture) go? It looks like it goes over one of the bulb channels, but I can't figure out which one.

rs6er · rs6er's Garage

As ususal, I figured out the answer to my own question. I hadn't realized that rubber piece contains the green light at the top of the speedo, so it goes into the long shaft directly opposite the odometer reset switch.

dshepp806 · dshepp806's Garage

rs6er: are you repairing your odometer? Or what?

Best,

Doyle

rs6er · rs6er's Garage

shepp806

Yes just replaced the gear. Now it's all back together.

smokinrz · 10-02-2010, 06:23 PM

I just had my gear replaced by north Hollywood. I was very happy with the work. You cannot tell they were ever inside. Even the locking paint on the screws looks undisturbed. I didn't mention that the speedo is dead until 25mph hour but now it is fixed and works at all speeds. Now if I could just figure out why the bulbs don't work.

RSM-M491 · RSM-M491's Garage

So the wires at the bottom do not come off themselves, you remove the entire part off the odometer? I am referring to the wires with the black sheath, and the power cable. Take that screw off and pull the entire area off? I am getting ready to send mine to Hollywood as well, and want to make sure I know what I am doing before I jump in!

Thanks!

86 911 Targa · 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSM-M491

So the wires at the bottom do not come off themselves, you remove the entire part off the odometer? I am referring to the wires with the black sheath, and the power cable. Take that screw off and pull the entire area off? I am getting ready to send mine to Hollywood as well, and want to make sure I know what I am doing before I jump in!

Thanks!

Remove all of the wires from the speedometer,
and send it in as a unit.

Do not take any of the "inners" out.

Send the whole unit.

Good luck,

Gerry