instruments not working

Speedo has never worked since we bought the car, always read the wrong speed (too high) and would stick and jump all over the place.

So (in my wisdom) I took the clocks out (and apart) to have a look.

Now I have put it back in and the speedo still does the same, what could be wrong with it.

Also, now the rev counter does not work (it did before), but all the other gauges work fine - what could that be ?

Hi, The speedo could be cable related, make sure the ends have not been chewed up both at the gearbox and clock end and that the little square adapter is in good nick at the speedo end (this may not apply to all models). Also make sure the cable has no kinks or sharp bends. The speedo is more difficult if this is duff. There is s magnet rotating against a disc which is connected to the needle, if the cable end bearing is worn the magnet will touch the disc and jerk the needle round...unless you are an instrument mech you stand little chance of fixing this. A scrap yard VDO or Motometer unit will be the answer. (make sure the MPH on the dial is the same). As for the tach, it is fed from a feed from the ignition coil circuit, check the multi pin plug on the inst panel, it connects straight onto circuit board tracks, sometimes the contacts can be pushed back and fail to connect. Check the flexible printed circuit sheet with a MAGNIFYING GLASS for tiny cracks in the track leading to the tacho, if you find one...a drop of solder will do the trick. As you other gauges work, the supply and earth would seem to be OK. Hope this helps. Keep smiling J.