fabric

Search didn't reveal anyone with this problem, and since other then the typical fuel gauge reading 1/4 low all the time, everything else works, thinking I don't need to pull the cluster out. Speedo connection in the spare wheel compartment is good, near as I can tell.

Occasionally the speedo works fine, but I haven't noticed any commonality in this when it does occur. When it doesn't pick up until moving, when slowing down it works as normal, and if I don't come to a complete stop, it will still work as normal. Temperature doesn't seem to affect it, same problem at 20F or 100F, and in between. It doesn't seem to work any better after I've been driving for a while and then stop.

My cruise works very intermittently, I've chalked that up to the module, but I suppose these could be related. Just the other day the cruise was working (well, it held speed and canceld, but couldn't accel), and the speedo had just exhibited the problem, but was working at the time - since the cruise only works from 30 on, this may not be helpful.

Anyway, looking for thoughts on the best place to start, since for the most part the speedo works, it seems like it's something gumming things up just a bit.

Andre Hedrick

An excuse to go fast so you can see how fast you are going!

Mike Frye

Chris,

Does it come up if you lightly tap the pod?

Mine is like that. Sometimes it doesn't come up without a light tap. I tried cleaning everything up while I was in there for the odo gear, but no dice. I have to go back in for a bulb so I'll try again, but I'm sure it's in the pod (for mine anyway) since it seems fine after a gentle 'nudge'. I've read that others have had this too, but I don't remember which threads (maybe hijacks of odo gear threads?)

Bus

I've been fighting with mine lately too... for some reason, I've found that if I leave the car parked in the garage (basement, over 50 degrees constantly), the speedo works 100% of the time... if I leave it outside over night, and the temps drop below 40, it won't work. If 50 or above outside, it works fine.

I've cleaned the connection at the spare tire multiple times, and I don't think the pickup is the fault. Oh, and one more. I left it out once a month ago, and it frosted. So, I started it and let it defrost for about 15 minutes... enough to get real warm inside the car, speedo worked perfect.

So, I'm thinking I have a break or poor connection in the pod... probably on the printed circuit board. Planning to tear it down when I do my dash recover... as I've already had the pod off twice in the last 6 weeks... getting good at it!

killav

Mike Frye,

My car does the exact same thing. Start moving, and speedo shows nothing. Wait until some speed builds, and then it will spring to life and start working all on its own. Or, lightly flick the plastic cover over the speedo shortly after take-off and presto, works like a charm. I am due for a pod R&R and was hoping that a dirty connection was causing this. Problem is intermittent-works normal when it wants to. Seems like temp has nothing to do with it. Funny how all these small nuisance things either don't show up or are missed during the test drive......

tomcat

Try hitting the odometer reset button. This usually wakes mine up.

ew928

Been advised that the grease in the speedo is getting a little old and requires some extra electromotive force to "unstick" the needle.

I stay the heck away from that odo reset switch. That hard shiny plastic white odo gear is just asking to self destruct. But that's just me.

Ernest (NYC) Gunked up grease. Warning lights. Filo dough gear. Pod sweet pod.

928saregreat

You can remove the electrical connector on top of the fuel sender, clean them up and see if it helps your 1/4 tank reading, with mine it did help alot but it would still read lower than it was and I landed up replacing the fuel sender to fix.

Mark

danglerb

If you drive slowly enough for the speedo not to work, does the odometer still work?

ColinB

There is a procedure for calibrating the fuel gauge on the 89 and later digital-dash cars. Anybody know of one for the earlier MYs? That might cure Chris' gauge error. As for the speedo my prime suspect would be a dirty edge connector on the circuit board. Can be cleaned with a pencil eraser.

Colin. 89GT

fabric

Danglerb- good catch on the odo, I haven't paid attention. Or haven't driven under 30 miles an hour for long enough to notice.

I suspect the fuel gauge is just not aligned right any longer. I've replaced the sender already. The gauge reads right, just 1/4 off, i.e. when the empty light actually comes on, I"m 1/4 way below the last reading. And I'm pretty sure i don't have a screwed up tank baffle, as I've put 22 gallons in before. It's pretty low on my priority list, I guess I"m waiting for a critical mass of pod related stuff before fixing anything there.

Ernest - the lack of mention of what do makes me think you are just putting up with it, or is this a pull the cluster to fix kinda thing?

killav

I have specifically tested the odo at very slow speed down my street to make sure it was working when the odo was stuck at 0. It does. That's why I figured it was just sticky/dirty inside the speedo inner workings.

ew928

Chris,
It bothered me a few times. As long as the thing reports highway speeds I'm happy.

Not sure if it requires a VDO knowledgable tech to rebuild or just drop some lube into the speedo repair.

Hope to master the art of pod pulling this spring.
Ernest (NYC)

Oldtee

Since the cruise control doesn't work there is a problem there in the sending circuit.

Buy a new sender. They are't that expensive.

The bad news is Porsche contracted with Mattel for instruments. Needles are loose on shafts and a good jolt can cause them to go off scale. Make a note how much they need to be adjusted so when you take the cluster out, and you will take the cluster out, you can adjust them back.

fabric

Cruise control sometimes does work, I suspect the CC module is flakey, and this is not related, but it's certainly possible. I had a mechanic check the cruise, he said all the "electrical" bits were working, and it holds vacuum, but it's probably time for me to check all that and see if I can fix the cruise, since I need to do that anyway, and if it doesn't fix the problem, then I'll give the sender a shot.