Date:         Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:05:57 -0500
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson@GORGE.NET>
Subject:      Odometer fixed..and "how dumb am I? (gas guage)

Second try was a charm on the faulty odometer in my 84.  The shaft with
all the numbers for the main odometer, the one that is driven by the
spiral gear...that one was slipping sideways, allowing the 'regular'
radial gear to move out of reach of the spiral gear...the one that must
come from the speedo.
 So, in my 'shop' (which consists of a very small plastic tool box and the
jumpseat of my van) I drilled into the end of that shaft (freehand,
without taking off the face of the speedo) with a 1/16" drill bit and my
battery drill.  Then I cut apart a pop-rivet and filed down the soft shaft
to a taper that would just start into the 1/16" hole drilled into the end
of the odo shaft(the end opposite the gear)  A drop of crazy glue in the
hole and the filed down rivet inserted.  Then I used my 'vice' (..grips)
and a nail to back up the end with the gear and a nail-set to 'peen' over
the cut and filed-off pop rivet to build a mechanical ball on the end that
was slipping through the odo chassis.  That should hold it.

  During my query to the list about how others have managed this problem,
I mentioned I thought my gas gauge was pretty worthless.  Someone
mentioned that I might actually be reading it wrong....And guess what?  I
certainly was.
 For some reason, it entered my head that the markings on the face of the
gauge were like I would have done it....1/4 down=3/4 tank left....half way
across...half tank left...etc etc.  But someone explained that the first
big mark (after the needle leaves Full) which is about 1/2 way across the
gauge sweep(and that mark is larger than the others) that one means you
have gone through 1/4 tank.  1/2 full is way down and a "minor mark" and
3/4 empty starts the 'red zone' on the dial...most cars, red means
reserve...I should know by now after working with numerous German autos
that Fritz and Franz (the engineers in the Fatherland) have a unique  type
of logic.
  Anyhow, whoever that was, thank you for cluing me in...my gas gauge
reads just fine...I just didn't remember to remember what kinda vehicle
this van really is..
  Don Hanson