67 Odometer Stopped

[Salvatore I.]

I have a very basic issue to get some info on being relatively new to NCRS....My odometer has stopped working but the speedometer is now better than ever! In the past, the needle on the speedomter would gyrate wildly...swinging from 20 to 60MPH...Now, it works perfectly, but before this happened, I heard what sounded like some girgling/gear grinding coming from the dash, and the odometer then stopped. This was at highway speed of about 55MPH.

I have a new speedometer cable but before I install it, my question is will a new speedo cable "cure" the odometer failure or is that an internal issue with the speedometer itself?

Can the odometer be fixed separately or be adjusted separately from the speedo? Who are the best sources to do this kind of repair or is there something that I can do to get it to work again? I am looking in the assembly manual and cannot get the level of detail needed....

Appreciate the advice....

[don22567]

Re: 67 Odometer Stopped

Sal, The odometer is part of the speedometer and works off of the same cable. If your speedometer is working than it is not the cable. Probably a gear problem. You will have to remove the speedometer from the dash cluster housing and send it out for repair. D & M restoration is one source that fixes speedometers and calibrates. Getting the speedo out of the dash cluster is a project though.

[Jack H.]

Re: 67 Odometer Stopped

Once in a 'blue moon' you can get lucky with this type of problem... The tripometer function that runs off the odometer is resettable via the under dash cable. The reset cable is spring loaded to effect reset return and that re-engages the drive gears in the speedo that run the odometer section.

Due to disuse and/or failure to lubricate, the tripometer reset cable can fail to re-engage fully causing the drive gear to partially or totally disengage. Sometimes, removing the reset cable, applying fresh lube and manually working the lube in by exercising the cable, will let you 'recover' from the problem.

BUT, when you say you heard distinctive gear clash noise, my hunch is you're beyond the point of no return... Keeping the tripometer reset cable properly lubricated and periodically 'exercising' it by resetting the tripometer is the best way to avoid this kind of problem.

To see if you got 'lucky'...take the car for a drive and manually exercise the tripometer reset function and PUSH the reset cable back up into its engaged/locked position. If after a few reset attempts, the odometer suddenly springs to life again, you got lucky!

[Dennis D.]

Re: 67 Odometer Stopped

All else fails and your feeling adventurist. you can try this.....

http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/odometer.doc

[Gerard F.]

Re: 67 Odometer Stopped

Sal,

If you don't get lucky with Jack's fix, consider sending both the speedometer and tach out for restoration. A few years ago, I sent mine out (for a 67) to D&M Restoration (they advertise in Driveline) and was glad I did. The turnaround was pretty fast, price reasonable and they came back calibrated and looking brand new.

Jerry Fuccillo
#42179

[Salvatore I.]

Re: 67 Odometer Stopped

Thanks everyone for the great advice....I am going to try Jack's suggestion once it stops raining here and hopefully it will do the trick...

Thanks again....

[Frank C.]

Re: 67 Odometer Stopped

Sal....I personally have never seen very many C2 odometers make it to 50,000 miles. I have 3 C2's and they're all dead at 46 to 48,000. Frank

[Donald M.]

Re: 67 Odometer Stopped

Sal, the problem is a case of metal gear vs. plastic gear. The plastic gear is stripped and odo must come out for repair. Mine has been inop for about 26 years! Too much work to R&R and fix. BTW, Frank, my odo made it to 79,665 mi. before "punching out".
Don

[Eugene B.]

Re: 67 Odometer Stopped

Sal,
I had a non-functioning odometer on my '65. I can give a positive recommendation to Corvette Instrument Service in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. The repair was reasonable and service was quick. Worst problem is having to remove the cluster from the dash.

Regards,
Gene

[Salvatore I.]

Re: 67 Odometer Stopped

On Thanksgiving, I give thanks to all for all of of the advice...This certainly is a wonderful forum for someone like me, who has such limited knowledge but who loves the hobby (and the cars!)....

All the best...

[Jim T.]

Re: 67 Odometer Stopped

If you purchase a new gear unit to install yourself, it is not difficult. To remove the speedometer gently pull up while twisting counter clock wise and push it on lined up.