1986 944 Odometer Problem
 

Hey gang,
The 1986 944 I recently purchased has a non-working odometer/trip odometer yet the speedometer works fine. My experience from previous cars is that usually these are tied together as the problem is normally in the speedo cable or angle drive but this doesn't seem to be the case here. Has anyone had a similar problem with their 944 that can offer some tips on troubleshooting this problem?
Thanks as always!
Mike

The odo gears are likely broken due to someone resetting the trip odo while the car was in motion. Typical problem with late-model dashes. Not an expensive fix if you do it yourself, but it isn't an easy task.

-Z

Thanks-I guess I need to do some research on taking out the instrument cluster so I can inspect the back of the speedometer for damage to the odometer gears. Not a fun job as I've done it in other cars but it sure beats paying someone else a ridiculous amount of cash to do it!
Mike

It's very easy to remove the instrument cluster. There are several screws in the front. Some are inside the air vent and you have to look for those. After that the front plastic piece comes out and then there are four screws on the instrument cluster. I only loosen the ones on the left side and slide the cluster to the right and it comes out. There are three sets of wires (four for an auto) and they have slides on the side that you push forward and back to slide the wiring connector on and off. Be sure you notice where each goes as two can be reversed not that I would have done that. :) Then slide the instrument cluster out. Takes about 15 minutes to get it out but I would recommend using a magnetic screwdriver for the screws that are located inside the air vent as they are impossible to reach with your hands. Another thing is to make sure the odo reset switch is in place before you put the front cover back in place. Ebay often has the gear or you can pick it up here at Pelican. On later cars there is no speedo cable so that makes it a lot easier.

Thanks for the tips and it certainly simplifies things getting advice from folks who are in the know!
Mike

I just did the fix not two hours ago.

It took about an hour total.

I would be $100 that your problem is the odometer gear too.