Mk1 GTi Speedometer Error, need help

Hello all,

I have a 1983 MK1 GTi and the instrument cluster is far form accurate. the Revs kind of work but i doubt its close to being accurate, secondly the Speed doesnt work and even if it does it will get stuck somewhere between 20 - 60 miles and the dial wont come back down for few hours (sometimes longer). Hence it also makes me think the Fuel level and etc arent accurate.


I am aware that a new cable and speed gears may help but what what is the possibility of a broken speedo? if it does is it repairable?

The Tach, Fuel and Water gauge are electric.
They are dependent on Good voltage on Pin 14 (black) Battery, and pin2 Ground Brown.

The Fuel and Water gauge are driven by the 10V stabilizer on the rear of the cluster, one pin is battery same as pin14, the middle is ground same as pin2, and the last leg is usually 9V without engine running to 10V with it running.

The speedo is driven off a gear in your transmission, and the type of Tranny (tranny code stamped on it ie: TNA)
determines the color of the gear being used. There are 2 styles of gauge faces, VDO pre90, and Motometer Post 90
So if your Tach is VDO but your Speedo is Motometer, there is something amiss.  Even tho-they shoudl be interchangeable as they should have a white stamp that says like 1450 on the rear.

There is also the Odometer gear, that can get stripped or slips on the shaft so your mileage is never advancing but your speedo is accurate.

You would have to check on line for places to send yours off to to be repaired.

If someone has replaced the dials with their own covers, then there is the possibility that the needle wasn't repositioned correctly, and or the needle to the drive pin, (very close to a straight pins width) is slipping or possibly bent and it is hitting or scrapping the hole as it is off centered.

rear of VDO


side of VDO
Red Odo drive gear.


rear of Motometer


That little white sticker is what I am talking about.

fronts of Moto, and VDO


 

Im very new to the car but i got this picture
may you please help to identify what Tach i got in here?

Does the needle drop when you tap the top of the dash?

Not immediately and i cant tell when. sometimes it drops after half an hour. sometimes a day. Its just really random

mark1gls said

Does the needle drop when you tap the top of the dash?

I would say that either your mech (spinning part internal has issues), or your needle or needle mount has issues.

Your gauge set appears to be VDO.  If you look at the bottom of the Gauges you will clearly see the letters VDO, or MotoMeter.

Moto was used over here on the 1990-93 Cabriolets with airbag.