T25 Panel Van Speedo reading.

[nhsjohn]

Hello All

Help please?

I've just bought a T25 1985 panel van so I'm new to T25's. The speedo is out, if I'm doing 60mph my speedo reads 75mph. This puzzles me as the van has standard wheels and tyres, 185/80c/14. I would understand this problem if the wheels were not standard. The speedo cable has been changed by the previous owner. The only thing I can think of it the instrument panel speedo gearing has been changed. Any thoughts??

Cheers

John

[CovKid]

Welcome

The only time my speedo started reading correctly was when I fitted 15" wheels and bigger tyres:

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=135826" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The speedo is notoriously inaccurate and the fuel guage 'vague'. I often wonder if VWs original plan was to run with 15" wheels.

[greasemonkey]

Maybe someone in the past fiddled with it (took needle off etc) and didn't set the needle back correctly.

With the needle free of the stop pin, it should be about an inch behind (think there's a white mark to show the correct setting).

If it was put back on at the pin it would read very fast such as this.

Maybe take the speedo out and check. As above they'll rarely be bang on though, mine reads about 68 mph at 60 but I usually use my sat nav to give me the correct speed.

[Theclash]

Mines 5mph out and is also running standard wheels and original untampered speedo

[CovKid]

Theres good and bad in this I suppose. With the stock speedo and stock wheels, if you hit a 30mph zone and your speedo says 30, at least you know you'll be below 30mph as the speedo is 'optimistic' at best - no bad thing. A more accurate reading (which I now have up to 65mph) does mean you have to be more on your toes (literally) since 30mph really is 30mph now.

Personally I wouldn't worry too much. As long as you know (using GPS to check) what speed is what on your speedo, at least you won't be setting off any speed cameras. For the most part we all drive according to road conditions anyway. In the end its probably academic. You'll never get a spot on speedo that relies on a wheel and a cable.

The real worry would be if you were driving at 60mph and the speedo said 50mph.

Download a speedometer app to your phone until you figure it all out.

[slowcoach]

Yeah, o thought mine would be 'accurate' after fitting bigger dia wheels and tyres, but it still reads fast. Also its in km, so whether thinking in mph or km, its just different arithmetic... Only a satnav will tell the truth though!

[nhsjohn]

Thanks for your responses, it seems as its a common problem from the general opinion. Ill double check at the weekend. But as many of you said it's not worth worrying about now I know it's a common thing. Love driving the T25, what an improvement from the previous generations. it's perfect for lugging stuff about, they are like the Albert hall inside.

[ghost123uk]

Maybe someone in the past fiddled with it (took needle off etc) and didn't set the needle back correctly.

With the needle free of the stop pin, it should be about an inch behind (think there's a white mark to show the correct setting).

If it was put back on at the pin it would read very fast such as this.

Maybe take the speedo out and check.

Is almost certainly the right answer. It's the only thing it can be.

I made that error the first time I stripped down my speedo to repair a loose odometer drive gear. There is a little white mark below the pin that marks where the needle should come to rest. Once you get that right you have to very carefully lift the needle back over the pin, so it now rests on the pin. I had to do mine a few times to get it right, using a sat navs speed reading to calibrate it.

Trust me on this = you need to be SO careful, the insides of a speedo, especially that tiny hair spring, are so delicate and easily damaged (ask me how I know ) = Kit-chen table, lots of light, lots of care and patience. Test it on the van (with a Sat Nav) but don't fully re-assemble the dash binnacle etc until it is correct, as you might need to remove it again to tweak the needle position (the white mark is not always the correct setting).