Re: [DML] "1980's Delorean Speedo Cable Fix"
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: [DML] "1980's Delorean Speedo Cable Fix"



Tom,

Frankly, I haven't checked the odometer accuracy, that is indeed something I still have to do.
I almost assume that it must be OK, because it is a fully mechanical connection, no magnets or springs involved.

What I wrote about the speedometer was not about doing it myself; it was what I heard from three different speedo repair shops that I called, none of which was willing to touch it, unless I gave them a blank check.
I read somewhere that the speedo should read 100 km/h at 1000/min of the cable. So you would think that they have something to work with.

Getting rid of the angle drive is of course a much better solution. Frankly, I don't know of any car after 1970 (other than perhaps the original VW Beetle) that has a mechanical speedo cable from the front wheels.

Recently I stumbled upon an article by a guy from Minnesota who suggested to redo the instrument cluster: http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?1160-Backlit-Electronic-Instrument-Cluster
He also suggests using an electronic angle drive.

Greetings from Michigan
VIN 10536


On May 14, 2013, at 05:57 , "Tom" <dmctom@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Jan,
> 
> Well, it is easy when you don't go into the details of the process and just 
> take the speedo to a repair shop. If you opt to do it yourself then you're 
> right, it's not easy.
> First thing to check is the odometer. This is a mechanically linked system 
> (gears) and it should be correct. If the only thing changed was the angle 
> drive and the odometer is off the angle drive has wrong ratio gears. You 
> will need to replace it.
> If the odometer is correct and the speedometer is off then you need to 
> determine if is it of by a certain amount or percentage, ie. does it always 
> read 10mph off (higher or lower) or if it is 10% off, ie. at 30 it will read 
> 33 and at 60 it's 66. If it's always the same number you can simply remove 
> the needle and reinstall it in a correct position BUT, be warned, this is a 
> very rare occurrence and is usually caused by a previous mechanic attempting 
> a repair. When it's off by certain % ten you will need to recalibrate it.
> 
> I do have a plan to get rid of the angle drive as this is absolutely the 
> worst part of the entire car. In my opinion an electronic (optical) sensor 
> is the way to go here. I want to keep the original speedo and so I will be 
> driving the original head with an electric motor.
> 
> Greetings from Poland!
> Tom Niemczewski
> Vin 6149 plus 2418, 3633, 5030, 16473, 17086
> Google earth: 52°25'17.66"N, 21° 1'58.40"E
> 
> 
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Jan R. Eisen" <drenthe1954@xxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Friday, May 10, 2013 5:16 PM
> To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [DML] "1980's Delorean Speedo Cable Fix"
> 
>> Tom et al,
>> 
>> That's not so easy! There are two (actually three) ways to correct a 
>> speedometer that is "off" (Mine is off by 15% too)
>> 
>> The first method is to change the spring that holds the needle back. But 
>> since there is no information about the spring used, this is a very time 
>> consuming trial-and-error method. It also requires to take apart the 
>> speedo over and over again. But if you have the time and money, it can be 
>> done.
>> The second method is to degauss the magnet and magnetize it again. Not a 
>> very easy process either.
>> 
>> Based on the hesitation of the various speedo shops that I approached, I 
>> decided that I could live with the speedo as it is (I actually have a rare 
>> original metric speedometer) and use my GPS if I really want to know how 
>> fast I am going.
>> Unfortunately, my odometer probably shows more than the actual mileage (or 
>> should that be kilometrage) too. But then again, here in the USA hardly 
>> anybody has a clue about the relation miles/kilometer anyways.
>> 
>> The last and third method would be to change the ratio in the angle drive. 
>> I don't know if that has ever been done, but this almost sounds like 
>> something to research further. Tom?
>> 
>> Jan
>> Plymouth, MI
>> 
>> On May 10, 2013, at 05:03 , "Tom" <dmctom@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> 
>>> John,
>>> 
>>> If you have correct size tires then the only fix possible is to remove 
>>> the
>>> speedometer and take it to a speedo repair shop. They will calibrate it 
>>> for
>>> you.
>>> 
>>> Greetings from Poland!
>>> Tom Niemczewski
>>> Vin 6149 plus 2418, 3633, 5030, 16473, 17086
>>> Google earth: 52°25'17.66"N, 21° 1'58.40"E
>>> 
>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>> From: "John Podlewski" <john_podlewski@xxxxxxxxx>
>>> Sent: Friday, May 10, 2013 7:31 AM
>>> To: <dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>> Subject: Re: [DML] "1980's Delorean Speedo Cable Fix"
>>> 
>>>> Question
>>>> What's the fix to calibrate it ?
>>>> I'm off by 10 MPH at 60MPH
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>> 
>>>> On May 9, 2013, at 6:08 PM, deloreanernst@xxxxxxx wrote:
>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> There's an item on eBay titled "1980's Delorean Speedo Cable Fix" 
>>>>> which
>>>>> is not accurate. The item for sale is the "dust shield" item l05104,
>>>>> which is indeed part of the speedometer assembly. The problem is,
>>>>> replacing it will almost never fix a non-functioning speedo. As I
>>>>> explained to the seller, this speedo drive cap is typically the victim 
>>>>> of
>>>>> a bound cable or seized angle drive, not the cause of a problem. When 
>>>>> the
>>>>> lower cable can't turn, and the cap turns with the wheel, it grinds 
>>>>> the
>>>>> middle of the cap out. A new cap won't fix a messed up angle drive any
>>>>> more than a brand new light bulb will fix a tripped circuit breaker. 
>>>>> The
>>>>> seller refused to correct the listing, claiming he has 3 DeLoreans and
>>>>> has fixed all three of them this way. Uh huh. Even if that were true,
>>>>> claiming the cap fixes the angle drive is flat out false. A word to 
>>>>> the
>>>>> wise- eBay may be strangely fascinating, but get your parts from a
>>>>> trusted supplier, not some unknown goof. By the way, he's offering it 
>>>>> for
>>>>> sale at nearly twice the price you'd pay your trusted DeLorean parts
>>>>> supplier.
>>>>> 
>>>>> -Wayne
>>>>> vin 11174
>>>>> 
>>>>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> ------------------------------------
>>>> 
>>>> To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address:
>>>> moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx
>>>> 
>>>> For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see
>>>> www.dmcnews.com
>>>> 
>>>> To search the archives or view files, log in at
>>>> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnewsYahoo! Groups Links
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> ------------------------------------
>> 
>> To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address:
>> moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx
>> 
>> For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see 
>> www.dmcnews.com
>> 
>> To search the archives or view files, log in at 
>> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnewsYahoo! Groups Links
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------
> 
> To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address:
> moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx
> 
> For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com
> 
> To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnewsYahoo! Groups Links
> 
> 
> 



------------------------------------

To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address:
moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx

For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com

To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnewsYahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/

<*> Your email settings:
    Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
    http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/join
    (Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
    dmcnews-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
    dmcnews-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
    dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
    http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/



Home Back to the Home of PROJECT VIXEN 


Copyright ProjectVixen.com. All rights reserved.

Opinions expressed in posts reflect the views of their respective authors.
DMCForum Mailing List Archive  DMCNews Mailing List Archive  DMC-UK Mailing List Archive

This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated