Fixing reset function on trip-odometer, '63

[Gary Cederman]

I have the speedometer unit out and I disassembled it down to where I can see the ‘guts’ of the trip-odometer. I then reconnected the cable that is suppose to reset the trip-odometer back to zeros. Nothing happens when I turn the end of the cable or push it in (it will only go in very little, so I don’t think that it is suppose to go in). Anyway, could someone tell me are you suppose to push in the cable and/or turn it? Also, are the numbers on the trip-odometer suppose to all go to zero at once or is it one digit at a time? Does anyone know what is suppose to happen mechanically inside the trip-odometer when it gets reset? I figured if I new the way it is suppose to work then I would have a better chance at fixing it! I connected a drill to the odometer cable at got the speed up to about 30 mph and both the odometer and trip-odometer numbers increment. I just can not get the trip-odometer to reset.

Thanks, Gary.

[kenrobb]

Re: Fixing reset function on trip-odometer, '63

when you push up you engage the works. then you turn the knob to rotate the numbers. It takes them one at a time. You might try a bit of wd-90 or such to free up the mech. ken

[Gary Cederman]

Re: Fixing reset function on trip-odometer, '63

Ken, I tried just what you said last night and it fixed it! The reset gear looked like a 'star' washer and it was stuck to the housing. It just didn't look like it would move and I didn't want to force it to where it would break. It appears to work OK now.

Thanks for the help.

Gary

[Kenneth S.]

Re: Fixing reset function on trip-odometer, '63

There is a spring loaded gear inside the speedometer head. The shaft of the gear has a square hole where the reset cable plugs in. When you push up on the cable, the gear engages the trip odometer wheels. Turning the knob clockwise causes all the wheels to turn backwards to zero. Once they all get to zero, all the wheels turn together. If you overshoot and are showing all nines, you can then turn the knob counterclockwise and advance it one position at a time, getting to all zeros. The knob pushes the cable up about 3/8" to engage the gear. It sounds like your cable is not pushing up enough. You can test it with a scrap piece of speedometer cable and some vice-grips. Push the cable in as far as it will go and turn it clockwise. If the wheels move, the problem is in your cable, if they don't the gear is probably stripped.

[Gary Cederman]

Re: Fixing reset function on trip-odometer, '63

Ken, Thanks for the detail response. I understand what you are saying.

After I got the spring loaded gear free, I connected the cable and push on it. The spring loaded gear moved up to the axle shaft that holds the 'number' wheels and the center of the spring loaded gear moved this cone shaped object on the shaft which caused the edge of the spring gear (the teeth) to make contact with another gear on the shaft. This connection of the two gears is how the numbers are reset to zero when you turned the cable. (I am probably telling you something you already know. But, I wanted to say that to ask you another question.) Sometimes when the spring gear touches the cone-shape object, it does not move everything so that the spring gear can make contact with the other gear. Is there something in the cluster of the 'number' wheels that is stopping this from happening? Can I take the number wheel apart and clean it or something? I think that everything on the shaft is held together by a press-fit washer at both ends.

The whole thing is pretty cool on how it works.

Thanks for the help.

[Kenneth S.]

Re: Fixing reset function on trip-odometer, '63

I've found the sticking is caused by a varnish like build up from a 38-year old lubrication. I would not advise trying to take the wheels apart. It's real easy to damage the numbers, and because the '63 fat type face is rare, you won't be able to find replacements. I just oiled mine with a good quality clock oil, using one of those clock oilers with the long skinny spout. A hypodermic needle would also work. Mine still sticks occasionally, but after giggling the knob it always seems to work.