I wanted to check my mpg on friday so pressed the reset button and since then neither the odometer or tripmeter have worked. I gather this is a common problem with the gears breaking. I am going to attempt this myself and will order the gears. Two questions:

1) Are there different gears for each or will one set repair them both?
2) Could it be anything else I should check before I start on removing the whole unit from the dash.

Tony 90C2

 

A stupid question - but you have tried pressing the reset button again? Mine has done this once or twice (I always reset the trip when I fill up with fuel) but pressing the button a few more times usually frees it up.

 

I have Dave, a number of times. Will do it a few more before I attempt this though. Maybe one last one with a bit more pressure.

 

Hey Tony. The one gear turns both the odometer and tripmeter. I would say it is a safe bet that there is nothing else to check as long as your speedometer itself is working.

 

I, too, had mine lock up after hitting the trip reset. I fiddled with it quite a bit and it freed up.

Do let us know how you get on as I expect I'll be faced with this fix before long.

Cheers,
Dave

 

If it's any consolation, replacing the odometer gear is a very simple DIY, just be careful. DIY instructions should be posted somewhere (do a search on this list). The gear is available for about $25 IIRC. Since I did mine, i've since read somewhere (this list probably) that you can replace the gear without disassembling the speedometer, especially having to remove the speedo needle. When I replaced my needle, i didn't get it in the exact right position and wound up with a speedo reading 3 mph off... indicated 80 mph is actually 83 mph as measured by my GPS unit.

 

I would reccomend looking for a VDO repair outfit in your part of the world. This isn't a simple repair and there is a lot of scope to break things. For a start off you need to remove the bezel around the glass, and if you don't take care, it will be difficult to refit, and will be obvious to a potential buyer should you sell it that the gauge has been tampered with.
I would say this is doable though, but when I had similar problems, I just got it repaired and cost me £70. Not worth attempting myself for that kind of money.

 

I am still contemplating taking this job on myself. Before I order the parts online, how close is the speedo to that of the 993's? I see there are detailed instructions on the 993 p-car site and a friend with a 993 has just done his succesfully this weekend without too much problem.

I offered moral support with a beer in hand !

Tony 90C2