Speedometers

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 7:03 pm

What are my choices when it comes to fitting an aftermarket speedometer? There seem to be two types: electronic and mechanical. How does the mechanical type connect to the stock VW cable? Can they be calibrated for accuracy? How does the electronic type connect? They require a "hall effect" sender-I have an Idea what that is, but not how it attaches to the wheel. I really don't want to use the stock speedo as I want the gauges to match each other. Any help would be appreciated.

167luckycharm · Post by **167luckycharm** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 8:11 pm

Sandy, The mechanical VDO gauge from the Cockpit Series will attach to the stock VW cable. The threaded fittings are the same. These require 820 revolutions of the left front tire to register one mile on the odometer. That is not for a stock height tire for the VW. I installed one of these speedometers and a pair of 195-70R14 tires on my buggy. The calculations on paper worked out since these tires are 24 1/2" tall...actual readings on the road proved otherwise. At 50 correct mph, the speedo read 56 mph. One mile traveled on the roadway (using mile markers) saw a readout on the odometer as 1.2 miles. A ten mile trip registered 12.3 miles. I had already sent my VDO fuel gauge to North Hollywood Speedometer to have them calibrated to the stock (VW) VDO sending unit. It works perfectly with the sending unit, now that it's located at a slanted position from the stock location. While they did the recalibration, they also turned the Cockpit fuel gauge into a Vision Series fuel gauge by switching the housings, bezel, and indicator needle. It now matches the rest of my Visions Series gauges. The VW sending unit has a 10ohm(empty) to 180ohm(full) resistance range. Since they did an awesome job on the fuel gauge, I contacted them to re-calibrate my speedometer. During a short ride to town, the speedometer started reading erratic numbers, it would hang up at certain speed although I had braked to a stop, wind up to 60 when I started moving again, and bounced up and down while cruising along. That made me decide to send it to them right away. The quoted price was $140 and I was hesitant at first. They returned it right after the repairs were done. I had to repaint the bezel with satin black to match the rest of the gauges. During a phone call to Mr. Behrens at North Hollywood Speedometer, he informed me that they install better than original parts during their repairs. They even installed a transparent orange indicator needle to match the rest of the Vision Series gauges. I am very happy with the finished products. Here's a pic of the dash...

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 8:21 pm

I used a mechanical AutoMeter Speedo in my Manx. The VW cable will not screw on the speedo. I found a nut with the same threads as the AutoMeter speedo I then TiG welded a flat washer on the nut and drilled the washer out to the same size as the hole in the original VW speedo cable nut. Slip the nut over the cable and screw it on the back of the AutoMeter speedo. I brought my buggy to a speedometer shop and the did the calculations then sold me a little gearbox that screws on the back of the speedo and the cable screws onto it. Works fine.

Gene-C · Post by **Gene-C** » Sun Dec 18, 2005 8:57 pm

Thanks, guys! I really want to go with the autometer gauges, so it's good to know I can make the Mechanical type work with that washer trick. Simple.

bountyhunterdm · Post by **bountyhunterdm** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 7:08 am

I went with all Autometer Artic White Gauges. The Speedo is electronic and can be calibrated using the simple instructions and driving as close to a 2 mile course as possible. You will need a Hall effect sensor that will connect to the VW cable. I called Autometer tech support and they referred me to Speedometer Service Company 414-463-6660. They make the sensor unit part number HE18C-16.They are in Wisconsin. It ran $109.15 including the shipping to CA. You need to provide power and ground to the unit and connect it to the Speedo digital input. Hope this helps.

flaboyjim · Post by **flaboyjim** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 2:58 am

While at the Turkey Rod Swap Meet - I found that a Ford $39.00 electric speedo sending unit can be used on a VW - it just takes some creative cable work by the local speedo cable shop - an open end with a square tip installed for the wheel and a Ford cable end for the sending unit. I called a cable maker, they can do it for about $20.00. I plan on using a VDO electric speedo and a Tach of the same size. Shark is less $$, but seem a bit cheaper looking also. just my :2cents:

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:19 am

:laugh1: :laugh1: Jim, Good luck getting the elecronic Ford speedo to work properly. My 94 Lincoln Town Car (electronic Ford speedo) has had 6 trips to the dealer since it was new, totalling $2300 bucks to fix the speedo. It still doesn't work correctly. The longer you drive it the slower the speedo reads. It will actually read 40mph when I'm driving 80mph after 3 hrs. on the road

. I now use a GPS for a speedo when I'm on trips. I'm sure there are more good ones then bad ones....I hope.

flaboyjim · Post by **flaboyjim** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:39 am

it wasnt the speedo itself that I am getting from Ford. Just the sending unit. I have not heard of any problems with these - thanks for the heads up.

newmanx59 · Post by **newmanx59** » Thu Dec 22, 2005 3:42 am

[QUOTE="flaboyjim"]it wasnt the speedo itself that I am getting from Ford. Just the sending unit. I have not heard of any problems with these - thanks for the heads up.[/QUOTE] The Ford garage replaced the sender on the Lincoln 3 times. I am glad I didn't have to pay for it!