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MillerAPF92Fox

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I'm getting ready to try and address several issues in one fell swoop in the pretty near future... First, the odometer in my '92 has logged about 34 miles in the 5 months I've been driving it; that's so far off it's not even funny. Pretty sure it's the odometer drive gear broken, 'cause the speedo still works. However, - Second, the speedometer cable is making the death tick, so it's getting ready to let go. And third, my cluster has the big ignorant clock on the right. My stereo has a clock feature, plus, I don't care WHAT time it is when I'm driving, as long as I'm driving! So, I'm going to try and find a replacement cluster with the tach instead. What is the proper procedure for pulling the cluster out of the dashboard without breaking anything/everything? If this all works out, I'll be able to post it in the "What did you do..." thread later! Thanks in advance - Chris
 
#2 ·
The switches for the the headlights, hazards, etc. have a slot in the back of them. You can slide a flathead in and you'll need to pop out all of the switches. They're connected at the back so be careful pulling them out. Then there are I believe 4 Phillips screws that should be visible that you'll need to take out. The face of the cluster should be able to come off. Then there's 3 or four more screws holding the cluster in itself that you'll need to take out. After that you just tilt the cluster itself forward from the top and disconnect the speedo. I'd suggest trying to find a Bentley manual, many of the smaller things like these are simple to find in the book. My odometer is broken and it's most likely the gear, it's pretty common for foxes. Although I haven't attempted to repair mine so you'll need to ask somebody else on that. There should be a thread on here that's pretty recent addressing the same exact problem. When it comes to the cluster with a tach, it's pretty hard to find them. Most of them on here have been bought up or don't last long on here so if you get the chance to buy one then hop on it. Best of luck, and I hope that this helps!


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#3 ·
There'll only be two screws holding the actual cluster on. I've never been able to tilt and reach the speedo cable, but if you're able to, that would be great. Otherwise, you'll get good at lying on the floor and giving it the old reach-around. Then, you'll be able to pull the cluster out a bit and detach the two plugs and take it out. Steering wheel removal isn't necessary.

Grabbing a cluster with a tach is definitely your best bet (hell, I'm looking for another one at this point). Most all of them will have a busted clock lcd though. May not be a bad idea to get a new speedo cable and/or lube it up through and through.

The odo is extremely easy to tamper, in case you wanted to set your replacement to some sort of estimate.

You could try taking apart the speedo to glue the gear back together, but it's a bit of a pain, and you gotta be real careful with the needle to 1. pop it over the resting peg and see where it rests naturally (there's actually a mark for where it should point, but I've seen them all over the place), and 2. not break the needle when taking it off. I've done that a few times way back in the day, but I really sucked at glue and it always came undone after a while.

A few years ago, vw was liquidating cluster circuit boards and canadian speedos. Maybe someone stocked up and can help you out
 
#4 ·
Pretty easy to swap, as everyone said and described. I always have trouble getting the speedo cable on the new one; it's tight up in there. Here's Adam's great write-up; he talks about swapping your speedo to the new one, but I usually don't bother. I do replace all the bulbs while I'm in there.

http://www.lunaticfringe.org/vwfox/mod/tachometer.html
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
Thanks to all. Will probably keep the speedo that comes with the replacement cluster, and roll in an estimated mileage; the original let go at 25K miles on the previous owner's watch. Hopefully I can put off replacing the odo drive gear on the OE cluster, at least for a while. Might wait and make the job "ultra easy" and do it when I replace the steering wheel, too. Of course, this is all academic if I don't start saving my spare change to be able to AFFORD a "new" cluster in the first place... Keep the advice coming; I like to be armed with as much intel as possible so as to avoid getting surprised! Thanks again - Chris
 
#6 ·
It is a little easier with the wheel off, and I did it that way the first time, but it isn't bad with it on. Just tighter.

Let me see what I have in the garage. I might have one with a broken odo you could have.
 
#7 · (Edited)
MillerAPF92Fox said:
Thanks to all. Will probably keep the speedo that comes with the replacement cluster, and roll in an estimated mileage; the original let go at 25K miles on the previous owner's watch. Hopefully I can put off replacing the odo drive gear on the OE cluster, at least for a while. Might wait and make the job "ultra easy" and do it when I replace the steering wheel, too. Of course, this is all academic if I don't start saving my spare change to be able to AFFORD a "new" cluster in the first place... Keep the advice coming; I like to be armed with as much intel as possible so as to avoid getting surprised! Thanks again - Chris
Click to expand...
Steering wheel on and off takes seconds. 24mm socket, short extension, ratchet. Just make sure you know where it is lined up when you take it off, no matter how hard you try it won't be straight, just eyeball the spokes against dashboard features. You're supposed to replace the spring washer every time you do, but that doesn't seem to be a real world issue.

On my 90 coupe with the later dashboard I can easily reach up behind the dash and unhook the speedo cable. The little plastic lever that needs to be depressed to unhook it was really, really stiff and a pain in the butt the first time. Since I've had the cluster out a few times over the years it's not so bad anymore, plus I know exactly what I'm feeling for so it's relatively easy. On the Wolfsburg which has the earlier dash reaching up behind the dash is a lot harder. With that car I have successfully done it from the front. Once I'd removed the screws, I wiggled the wiring harness connectors off which allowed me to pivot the cluster toward the drivers side enough to get my hand behind the cluster. I also made some slack on the other side of the firewall which allowed me to tug on it a little to make it easier. Don't pull on the cluster to pull the speedo cable though. I've not heard of anybody doing it that way before, so I thought I'd throw it out there.
 
#10 ·
there is a speedo with tach on ebay right now.... not mine just thought i'd mention. search "vw fox speedometer" and hope no one else grabs it first.

also note: the circuit paper is the same on all Fox clusters so everything can be swapped in and out using the best circuit paper you have. the only connections not on all are the 2 connections for the digital clock though the circuits are there. someone on here had a diy for adding the connections

i'm running with the lcd clock removed ... it was half black/burnt out
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Thanks, blue' and Axeman. I will likely spend most of MLK day on the computer, so a trip to ebay will be a natural. I was looking at the instruction sheet from Mopar as to installing a cruise control in our '08 Jeep Wrangler, and (with not a single printed word anywhere on it) it warns GRAPHICALLY to exercise caution when removing the steering wheel so as not to break your own nose! I broke down laughing, and my wife didn't understand, even after I showed it to her. So, is it just me, or does anybody else find that kind of stuff funny? Anyway, the "wiggle and pull" dance will be a much nicer exercise - and no airbags to disable! YAY! Okay, I'm off to go shopping. Thanks again to all. 'Til next time,... Chris
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
The cluster on ebay looked good from the front, but the description made even $30 seem like more of a gamble than I wanted to take - unknown whether it worked, corrosion on the circuit film connections,... Hope someone more willing to invest the effort scoops it.
 
#13 ·
I have a tach cluster with a broken odo- speedo and the rest worked when I took it out. You can have that for shipping if you want it. I also have a clock cluster missing the speedo, which I'm guessing no one wants...
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Thanks, redd'. Mike in sc pm-ed me and said he thought he had one in his garage, too. If I pm you with address/contact info, you can let me know what you find for shipping costs? And if you need a little for the part itself, hey, kids cost money! Just let me know whatcha gotta have... Chris
 
#16 ·
#17 ·
Fox

I went to install a radio/cd player when the hot wires touched by accident and shorted out the fuse. I replaced the fuse and got the radio working but when I went to start the 1993 VW Fox, the fuel pump relay was fried. I used the horn relay in its place and got the fuel pump working cuz I could here it again but the engine must not be getting spark because I even sprayed starting fluid into the air intake and it still wouldn't fire? What is the issue? Someone please help me. I love the Fox
 
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Arthur1911 said:
I went to install a radio/cd player when the hot wires touched by accident and shorted out the fuse. I replaced the fuse and got the radio working but when I went to start the 1993 VW Fox, the fuel pump relay was fried. I used the horn relay in its place and got the fuel pump working cuz I could here it again but the engine must not be getting spark because I even sprayed starting fluid into the air intake and it still wouldn't fire? What is the issue? Someone please help me. I love the Fox
Click to expand...
Hey, Arthur. Posted a couple of times on your original thread.
 
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MillerAPF92Fox
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