Date:         Mon, 8 May 2000 12:27:11 -0700
Reply-To:     Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doktor Tim <doktortim@ROCKISLAND.COM>
Subject:      Re: Speedometer problems
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 06:05 PM 05/08/2000 +0200, you wrote:
>Hi,

>The speedometer seems to be pointing at a speed about 20 kilometres too
>high and it really wobbles when it does. So it's kinda hard to tell how
>fast I'm going... I know it's probably not running faster than 110
>kilometres an hour, but below that, I'm just guessing.
>
>Is there anything I can do about it? Hitting it (hard) didn't help,

Hit it harder, then harder. When you have it reduced to several pieces and
it still won't work, send the pieces to N. Hollywood Speedometer for
fixin'. They fix all things VDO.

 can I
>replace it?

Yes, but do check for cable probs first. Remove cable from speedo. Drive at
the speed of inquiry while holding you finger tip on the cable. Does it
feel jumpy, or does it rotate smoothy. If jumpy, it could be the upper
cable, lower cable, trans drive thingy, or the EGR/OXY indicator box where
the two cables meet. If smooth, the prob is in the speedo head.

Someone told me you can't because you're not allowed to temper
>with the thingy that tells how many kilometres the engine has run (or
>something).

When you send the speedo for repair, be sure you note in the included
letter the original milage and your phone number. Not unusual they won't
write down the milage before they fix it. I know cause several times I have
gotten a call asking what milage to set it at. But it could well be they do
this followup call as a matter of procedure to insure they can prove their
attempt to follow the law in every case. It is also likely that if you buy
a new one at the dealer, they can, must?, reset the milage for the vehicle
or certify the original indicated milage in documenting the replacement
with 000,000.0 indicated.

Laws about speedos vary state to state. Some states have no law, they have
dictators. If you replace with a junk yard item of contrary indication are
you breaking the law? I don't know. See your state/provincial statues or
request your dictator's opinion. If you disclose the facts to any potential
buyer prior to sale you can't be attacked for fraud, unless the law is a
ass in your locale or your dictator so dictates. I do recall seeing a State
Vehicle Inspection metal tag attached to a door jamb apparently required by
that state to document speedo replacement, with both old and replacement
indications stamped on it. I don't recall which state it was from.

Never presume that indicated milage is actual milage, particularly on older
vehicles that indicate less than would be typically expected for that age.
A complete history of documented services on the vehicle can prove that
indicated is actual or prove it is not, if enough of the service invoices
show date and milage indicated.
T.P. Stephens
San Juan Island, WA