Breaking down on Mother's Day and advice re replacement dash

[dominicgg]

Fully laden with barbecue bits for Mother’s day, we all set off for a barbecue on the beach on Sunday.

I put some fuel in and when I left the garage, both the fuel and temp gauge shot up to max. I pulled over to make sure nothing was wrong, and opened the expansion tank to make sure there was still water in it. Some came out but then the fuel and temp gauges dropped to zero.

An AA man came out and took the dash apart and said it was a voltage stabiliser behind the unit. However, he said there was a slight risk if the engine was overheating, so I got it recovered (I had a bad experience which led to a costly replacement engine 40 miles after buying this last year and the engine is still under warranty, so I did not want to take the risk of driving it).

The local garage have taken it in .They have said it is the voltage stabiliser, but said that the AA man made a real hash behind the dash – he snapped the speedo needle off and apparently I need a new speedo head too (whatever that is). The garage suggested I try and source a complete new dash unit, but obviously then it will come with a different speedo, which I am reluctant to do, as the bus has a great history and would be nice to keep it all up together. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Dom

[billy739]

pictures will speak a thousand words

simplist is new speedo and voltage stabiliser

you dont need to touch the speedo to fit the stabiliser tho.

you can glue the needle back on?

[dominicgg]

Agrred pics would be great - however stacked out at work and can't get to the garage to see the damage.

I trust them though and they said it's beyond repair because most of the fixings were snapped.

Really annoyed as the van has a great history and I really don't want to have to replace the speedo (and all the other bits)

[bigherb]

Some things don't add up there not sure how the speedo needle fell off when is no where near the fuel and temp gauges unless it was loose on the spindle, which can easily be refitted. VW didn't use particular good plastic for the dash and a lot of dashes have broken brackets. Sounds like the garage can't be arsed to repair the dash and just want the easy option of replacing the whole lot.

[dominicgg]

Thanks for the advice - will try and get in and pick it up, then will get some pics up

[dominicgg]

Hi all,

I now have part of it back from the garage. It would appear that thre are three issues:

- one corner which attaches it to the dash is snapped

- some parts where the speedo mounts is also snapped (there are two screws in the housing which I assume should be on the back of the speedo)

- the speedo needle is broken

Sorry not sure how to post pics here - but I have uploaded them to Photobox and the link is here:

http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/album/shar ... =731997550" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks.

Dom

[fodtommo]

My old man has an old Triumph TR, and replacement speedos &stuff are a bit more difficult to come by, and like you he wished to keep original readings etc, he has used a firm called speedy cables to repair his before - I imagine they can help put yours together again!:

http://www.speedycables.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Can I also suggest that you persue the AA to pay for it - get your garage to issue a written statement on how they found the car and ring up AA - always worth persuing it IMO, if they broke the speedo on say a new BMW, te replacement would be £hundreds and youd be straight on the phone to them....

[dominicgg]

Thanks for the advice. I will get them a call - look like a good fine.

I have already complained to the AA who are "dealing with my request".

Thanks again.

Dom

[dominicgg]

Does anyone know if a unit from a 1989 2.1 injected bus as per the last photo in this album would be ok (mine's a 1983).

http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo?albu ... 7073452668" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks.

Dom

[Cruz]

I'm pretty sure that's a no.

Early clocks have a vertical connection plug socket and later sets a horizontal one

[dominicgg]

Rats! Thanks for the info Cruz

[AngeloEvs]

You can adapt the connectors at the rear of the dash to fit vertical or horizontal. The connector block is in two halves which can be separated (they unclip along the connecting edge and fold outwards - I can photograph one if it helps). Once separated the wires and their connectors can be placed in any order to suit the type of dash. The only requirement is that you have the info regards which wires need to go in which locations. Your van being an early model would also need a small mod to the oil pressure warning LED if using a later dasboard on a early van. Broken corners can be repaired/adapted by bonding flat section of rigid plastic to the damaged corners using superglue and fitting a small spacer under the section where the securing screws fit to take the compression as you tighten them up. The instrument rears are not under any great load or stress and won't fall out - they just need a helping hand to stay put!

[R0B]

Also the speedo cable will need changing.As early ones have a screw on connection.And late ones have a push on connection..

[Plasticman]

Dont agree with phooning the AA, always write and keep copies
mike

[dominicgg]

Thanks for the advice. Managed to locate one so should be back on the road soon