Date:         Mon, 29 Nov 1999 14:48:55 EST
Reply-To:     Oxroad@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeffrey R <Oxroad@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Speedometer question (long now)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

In a message dated 99-11-29 14:44:12 EST, you write:

 a message dated 99-11-26 23:25:01 EST, you write:

  > Stella's is loose,
  >  meaning that it turns with the wheel.  Any info or insight would be
  >  wonderful..

  Kate--

  I'm a little confused by exactly what you mean in this post. So if this
info
 is redundant or it's info you know blame it on my confusion.

  To say the circlip turns with the wheel, in my mind means it's working
 correctly.

  The circlip holds the speedo cable after the cable's squared off end pokes
 through the axel nut cap on the end of the hub. (this is the cap that covers
 the axel nut on the front wheels) The speedo cable's squared-off end goes
 through a square hole in the axel cap. The circlip holds the squared off end
 snuggly in the cap. But it's only snug in a circular kind of way, meaning
the
 square end of the speedo cable is forced to turn along with the axel cap and
 therefore forced to turn with the wheel. (there is a tiny bit of end play in
 the cable with the circlip meaning it can move in and out a tiny bit without
 effecting it's performance) Having said the word "forced" I should mention
it'
 s not a great deal of pressure "forcing" the cable. the cable merely goes
 along with the turning wheel. The circlip also should go along with the
wheel
 spinning at the same rate at the wheel spins. This spinning of the square
end
 of the cable and the circlip turns the whole speedo cable within the speedo
 cable housing which is again squarred off a the speedo end of the cable at
 the dashboard. The square end at top goes into the back of the speedo and
 turns the gears in the speedo to give you a speed reading on the guage.

  So, in short, the circlip and cable DO turn with the wheel.

  If the circlip and cable don't turn with the wheel it is a sign that the
 square hole int he axel cap has rounded and will not turn the cable.
 Therefore the axel cap should be replaced.

  Possible problems:

  On an old Karmann Ghia I had the Speedo stopped working-and then worked
 intermittantly, but never correctly--it would kind of surge. I checked the
 cable  by taking it off the back of the speedo and it seemed to turn fine
 when the vehicle was moving. BUT it did turn out to be broken in the middle.
 With no pressure of the speedo hooked up it seemed the cable was fine
because
 it "caught" itself at the break and turned both halves. But with the added
 pressure of the speedo hooked up it would not turn after the break--or at
 best turn intermittantly.

  I mean I didn't figure this out right away.

 You can check the speedo by disconnecting the cable from the back of the
 speedo and eyeballing the end of the cable that goes into the speedo. Find a
 tool or shaft or something of equal size and GENTLY put it in the back of
 your speedo where the cable goes. Then gently roll the tool or shaft in your
 fingers as the cable would turn. if the speedo needle jumps to  a few miles
an hour or so it's an indication it works for the most part.

  now DON'T shove or force anything into the back of the speedo. Be GENTLE
 with it. and turn the tool by rollinging it between you thumb and fore
finger.
  That is more than enough speed to register on the speedo. You can try this
 rolling motion both clock wise and counter clockwise without damage to the
 speedo. But only one way will register speed as the speedo is not designed
to
 register speed in reverse. And again don't force anything in if it won't fit
 and don't break off anything in the speedo where it recieves the cable. If
 this test doesn't make sense to you don't attempt it unless you have your
 neighborhood car guru with you.

  Also you can check the cable once it is off the back of the speedo. If you
 can turn the cable by hand endlessly while the bus is parked then it's a
sign
 the cable is severed somewhere in the middle of the housing and needs to be
replaced.

 Still reading?

  I see from a later post you were on the NJ Turnpike. If you're in NJ and
 need a replacement speedo unit there were as of a few months ago 2 passenger
 Vanagons in  junk yard in Whippany, NJ or Parsippany. The name of the yard
is
 Cobra and it's on Parsippany Road (northern NJ). There was a later model
 Vanagon like maybe 86or 87 and there is an 83. Both had speedos when I was
there. But I think neither bus had a windshield so they have been exposed to
 the elements. (whether you would feel comfortable using such a speedo is
your
call) I don't know if the speedos worked and normal disclaimers apply. I have
 no affiliation with Cobra Auto Wreckers.

  Having said that if you need a speedo I'm sure some listees have them. It
 shouldn't be hard to find a used one.

  If this doesn't make sense feel free to ask...I'll try to clear it up.

  Jeff
  83.5 Westy
  NYC