Mine sometimes works, and sometimes doesn't. I'm pretty sure its a problem with the clock itself, it either stops working, or operates very slowly, until I reset it. Then it is fine until I leave the car for awhile and come back. Sometimes it still has the correct time, and sometimes it doesnt. I bought another clock from somebody, but the shipping bounciness was too much for it and it didnt work when it got to me. So now I have a question, can we send these somewhere to be repaired, and if so, where?

 

I have a good clock and I'm heading up to Alexandria this weekend.

 

Mine is random as well. Keeps time for a while...then it acts like it lost power and has some bizarre time on it......

 

AznDrgn- pm sent

Neinfofo- I know! its annoying as crap! I just want everything on my car to work, is it so much to ask?

 

Mine needs to be fixed too. Heres where you can buy a new clock, but it is a little pricey: http://944online.com/cgi-bin/ASI_Sto...lectrical-9442

 

I actually need an analogue one, but yeah, brand new ones are pretty damn pricey.

 

Do a search... I posted some info on fixing the analogue clock by replacing the capacitors a while back.

 

yeah I checked that out. I would love to attempt the repairs myself but I can't figure out how to get in the danged thing.

 

You get in the same way you crack open the main gauges - carefully bend back the metal outer ring back so that you can remove it from the rear housing. My clock behaves the same way... I keep on putting off repairing it for when I redo the dash and everything behind and that attaches to it.

 

On the early models, pull out the heater vent tabs and pry off that bezel; there will be 3 screws on the bottom of the clock/AC/oil pressure bezel. Unscrew those, along with the 2 above the clock/oil and the whole center piece will come off. The clock is held on by one or 2 nuts if I remember correctly. Unbolt it and you have your clock.

I have 3 of those clocks, and they all work :P

 

Wonder if the larger early dash 944 clock face could used with the very dependable works behind the attached 2 1/16th diameter aftermarket VDO clock? I think the smaller clock was an OE item on some late 80's Bimmer...it's available NOS from several companies, although not plentiful IIRC.

 

Scuba- Cant get that ring off, I may be doing something wrong, could you give me some more details on where to pry from? Im afraid of breaking something.

I talked to North Hollywood speedometer, and they told me it usually is around $120.00 to repair these clocks, so that ain't happenin. Id like to try it myself, but I just can't get the top ring off to open it up.

 

You need to actually bend the trim ring. Work from the back, with a small screwdriver, a little bit at a time and just keep going around. Once you get it raised up a bit, you can get in there with small needle nose and finish the job.

 

What he said. I use a jeweler's screwdriver - a 1.4mm and 2mm flathead.

I've read about two failure modes for these clocks. One is the capacitor(s) and another was something about a plastic gear inside going bad. I'm really interested in what fixes yours because I'll be doing this job sometime later this spring.

 

I've done the capacitor and resistor repair on 4 vdo clocks and it always works. Like jpk said, you need to pry off the trim ring (pry from behind, and don't pry more than you need to). Once the ring is off, you will need to desolder the ground point from the back of the clock's case while pulling the clock guts out from the front. Then just pry it back into shape when putting it back on.

IIRC, the radioshack p/n 272-1028 for the two capacitors (100μF)... I can't remember the resistor, but I think 150Ω.