I just pulled the clock from my new car's cluster, because it's not working. I have already found some threads in this forum that point to possible repair places. I don't even know if it's the clock itself or just some fuse somewhere. Looking inside the cluster, I can see where it's supposed to get power from.

How is the clock fused? Everything else is working, including the lights. Does that mean it's the clock itself?

It's a Kienzle VDO 12V

It's probably the clock and it's probably the wind up type so you'll need to look for threads about soldering the low temp fuse back together.

Michael

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Usta haves '69 250/8, '76 280C, 1971 250C 114.023, 1976 450SEL 116.033
Current have, 1983 300SD 126.120

Search the threads because there is some great advice. Bottom line is that the clock has an internal fuse. You will have to open it up, clean out the debris from the internal solder fuse that blew and check the internal workings to make sure none of the fuse got into the works. You can manually raise the solenoid mechanism which will case the clock to run for a few minutes. The fuse has to be rebuilt. The small brass (spring loaded) arm should have dropped down from the solder point. The fuse needs to be made with 120 degree celcius solder. If you don't have a steady hand try a TV/VCR shop or a model train shop. A good deal of model train detail work is made out of this solder. The clock should be hooked up to a power source and run for a while and adjusted (faster or slower) to keep the right time.

Good Luck

Bill
71 220D

Personally I would replace it with a slightly newer quartz clock, but if you want to keep it original you can increase the life by adding a diode across the coil of the windup mechanism. The contacts are probably burnt so they will need to be cleaned up with emery paper (600 grit will do). If the fuse is gone, it probably blew because the contacts stuck at one time. The anode of the diode goes to the ground side of the coil and the cathode to the other. A common 1N4007 diode will work - cathode is indicated by the band on one end.
The diode drastically reduces arcing at the contacts.
Also check the windup mechanism for excessive wear. Clean and lubricate with a light oil (transmission fluid in a seringe works well).

http://www.paspeedo.com/

These guys will rebuild your clock if you send it to them. And your gauges! Mine need recalibration, cleaning, etc.

I've got some long term repairs to be done to heating system in my dash - and at that point, speedo/odo as well as clock will go off to them. But thats a non essential, wait for a while repair...


Ann
who is happy that her dash lights work these days!

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1972 280 SEL 4.5 "Henrietta" - The Learning Experience
1972 280 SEL 4.5 "Brunhilda" - Pretty Sponge for $100.00 Bills