I finally got the motivation to take out my instrument cluster to troubleshoot the odometer and trip meter. They have both been broken since i bought the car last may. What i found is that the pinion gear(for lack of a better term) was broken in two, and that the plasticy rubbery gear it immediately turns is stripped. All other gears seem fine. Is there any place where i can get JUST these gears, i don't really want to pay 100 dollas for two 10 cent gears. Thanks in advance,
Ryan

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83 300SD.......sold
96 integra SE....sold
99 a4 quattro....sold
2001 IS300.......sold
2002 330i.........current.
2004 highlander limited....current.

I cannot even find a whole speedometer for my 1987 300TD.

I tried a few highly recommended repair places by various forums and they gave me conflicting results. One said I have an "electronic" VDO and another adamantly said I have an all mechanical VDO.

I have not had the motivation to pull the cluster yet, though.

my 1983 300SD's speedometer is electronic, or at least it appears to be. there is no mechanical cable attaching to it. I just need the spur gear and the gear that the spur gear drives to fix my odometer, and i really dont want to spend 100 bucks on two gears, someone must sell just the gears?

Ryan

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83 300SD.......sold
96 integra SE....sold
99 a4 quattro....sold
2001 IS300.......sold
2002 330i.........current.
2004 highlander limited....current.

I believe that all W126 have electric speedometers. I guess you could try the dealer. Another option would be a junkyard and look for European cars with VDO gauges. VDO is one of those huge German suppliers that sells to MB, BMW, VW, etc. So have a look at your gears and start pulling apart Eurocar gauges to maybe you'll find a match.

You might try sending an email to Steve Brotherton, moderator of the Tech's Only Forum - stevebfl, asking about repair services for your odometer. He has written several times discussing the speedo/odometer repairs his shop does. Perhaps Steve can help you with your situation.

Tom

__________________
America: Land of the Free!

1977 300D: 300,000+ miles

American Honda: Factory Trained Technician & Honor Grad.
Formerly:
Shop Foreman;
Technical Advisor to Am. Honda;
Supervisor of Maintenance largest tree care co. in US for offices in Tex.

In the deep recesses of my synaptically handicapped mind, I recall something about George Murphy of Performance Analysis Co. having gears for this or at least a handle on where to go. I could be wrong but here's a start. George Murphy, MBCA Technical Committee

Phone: 423-482-9175 9am to 5pm ET

Fax 423-482-9175 anytime

__________________
The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

thanks, i'll defintely give him a ring. thanks again
Ryan

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83 300SD.......sold
96 integra SE....sold
99 a4 quattro....sold
2001 IS300.......sold
2002 330i.........current.
2004 highlander limited....current.

Yes, 1983 300SD's speedometer is electronic. I had the same problem before. but I found a 87 420 SEL dash board for $45 at a local junk yard. I took the gear off and put it in mine. the guy who sold it to me probably forgot about the digital outside temperature readout which worth more than that. now I have a spare for my W124.

I think after 82(?) they don't use cable anymore. there is a pickup sensor near the shaft output on the tranny.

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BJ

09 GL320 Bluetec 65K+
07 E320 Bluetec 43k+
05 Nissan Frontier NISMO 4X4 72K+


07 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 5k+ gone
87 300SDL 158k+ gone
91 300D 113k+ gone
83 300SD 220K+ gone
89 300E sold
87 190E sold
83 380SEL sold
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My '81 300TD has an electronic speedo/odo and was a snap to fix!
I took it out and examined the gears. (which were VERY visible!)
The small gear and the first main (larger)gear had about as many teeth on them as a 90 year old Tennesee woman (no offense to any 90 year old Tennesee women).

I went to the local auto salvage yard and purchased a new entire instrument cluster for $40...that included the housing and all gauges. Removed the gears from the junk yard one, and swapped out the bad gears for good. First I made sure that no extra teeth were floating around! I could have just swapped out the entire assembly, but call me a purist...

Now it works like new! Best $40 I have ever spent.



P.S. loubapache: I may have an electronic speedo for you if you are still looking... (Located in G.R.)

__________________
Current: '91 300TE 4MATIC 317k and climbing...
Former:
'81 300TD Wagon 168K "Tank"
'83 240D 216K 4spd manual "Da Bear" (aka best car ever)

"Never sweat the petty things...
and never pet the sweaty things."

dieseldaddy:

Yes I am interested if it fits a 87 300TD.

I am in BR and come to GR once a week.

...that it would fit? I have two mechanical ones, and one electronic (with a couple gears for the odometer missing...)
One mechanical came out of a 1983 300D, speedometer goes to 120.
The other mechanical is from a 1982 300D, speedometer goes to 85.
I have no idea what year the electronic one is.
They all would fit into my 81 300TD, but I have no idea when-or if-they changed the look of the cluster.
If you think that one will fit, you are more than welcome to take a look. Diesel Don has dibs on one of the mechanical ones, but they are both *supposed* to work.
Let me know when and where you are going to be in GR and we can hook up!

__________________
Current: '91 300TE 4MATIC 317k and climbing...
Former:
'81 300TD Wagon 168K "Tank"
'83 240D 216K 4spd manual "Da Bear" (aka best car ever)

"Never sweat the petty things...
and never pet the sweaty things."

dieseldaddy:

My speedo goes to 140 MPH so it does not sound it will fit.

Thanks.

Diesel Don was talking about a mini diesel meet in Western MI at spring time. Do you think you will come?

loubapache,
I am so there!
It will be great to meet everyone and bounce ideas/thoughts off each other too.


i live near diesel don and r90skirk...they both guided me in the purchase of my '81 300TD. (for which I am eternally greateful!)

__________________
Current: '91 300TE 4MATIC 317k and climbing...
Former:
'81 300TD Wagon 168K "Tank"
'83 240D 216K 4spd manual "Da Bear" (aka best car ever)

"Never sweat the petty things...
and never pet the sweaty things."

I do not think the readout from W126 can be used on W124. The screw mounts look different. My 87 300D (W124) uses cable.

David