Odometer Woes - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

zsmith29 · #1 03-09-2008, 12:23 PM

I have replaced 2 different odometers to take the place of the kilometers/hr that I used to have. The problem is that both of the speedometer/odometer gauges that I have replaced don't work consistently. The odometer (trip and regular) only work intermittently. They will not read more than a few miles and then stop. If I hit the trip reset then it will work for a few more miles and then stop again.

What is the deal here? What am I missing?

Biodiesel300TD · #2 03-09-2008, 01:00 PM

Odometer and trip failure on these cars is really common. DieselGiant has a DIY for odometers. Might check that out. There is a gear that usually starts slipping. I've never had too much luck with fixing them, I can get a few thousand miles out of my repairs, but I have had great luck sending them to Speedometer Service in Portland, OR. I bet there is a speedo shop closer to you though.

Jeremy5848 · #3 03-09-2008, 01:12 PM

Most of these odometers have plastic gears on a steel shaft. The shaft is splined to hold the gears but the plastic gradually wears so the gears start to slip on the shaft. It's possible to take the thing apart and fix it but it's slow, painstaking process that is much easier if you've done it before, which most of us haven't. The alternative is to take or send it to a good speedo shop. I have used Palo Alto Speedometer here in California but I'm sure you can find a place more local to you (and less expensive, too -- my repair was $160!).

Jeremy

Sbean · #4 03-09-2008, 04:34 PM

I fixed mine ((80 300 TD) following instructions I found through this forum. The plastic gear was slipping on the shaft. I just knurled the shaft with pliers and pushed the gear back into position. Most of the work was getting the speedometer out and onto my workbench. Steve