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Subject:Re: Speedometer Weirdness
From:Geo & Kathleen Hahn
Date:Wed, 2 Aug 2006 15:05:46 -0700

Robert Keezer wrote:

>I am just asking before I remove the cable , if
>it might be in the speedo itself, or if the cable
>has broken and is slipping.
>
>What's making this seem strange is that usually
>when a cable breaks, there is no speedo at all or
>the needle jumps.
>

That's always been my experience with cables -- erratic motion as they
start to fail, then suddenly nada when they break.  I suppose a
definitive test would be:  Is your odometer still fairly accurate?  If
yes, then your cable would seem not to be at fault.

I have never had occasion to open up a VW speedo but on other makes the
condition you describe could either be a weak hairspring or some gunk
interfering with the swing of the drag cup.

 From the GoWesty site, this highly technical tip:

" If the odometer works but there is no speed being indicated, there is
definitely something wrong with the speedometer itself. In that case,
there is usually dirt and/or corrosion that is making the needle stick.
Sometimes banging the dashboard on the top while traveling above 40 mph
will make the needle jump up and work."

I just love the mental picture of someone trying that.

Geo H

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