Golf 2 Speedometer: Repair & Replacement

Hi everyone,

I'm having a problem with the speedometer; the needle often gets stuck at 0. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. The speedometer cable is NOT loose, because the odometer continues to register mileage.
You could install a different speedometer, but I have the problem that this speedometer is calibrated for my custom wheels, which cost a fortune, and I don't really want to pay that much again.

Okay, so here's the question: Does anyone know what the problem is and whether it can be fixed yourself, OR how to adjust another speedometer yourself?
It would be great if you could help me.

Hi,
'So, in my days when I was really into tinkering with cars, I also had this problem with a similar model. In my case, it was caused by painted speedometer needles. The needle was simply sticking to the zero stop. Maybe that will help you. Otherwise, I can also imagine that the needle wasn't properly attached to the spindle during the speedometer calibration.'

See you then...

Andy.

Hi.

I once had something similar in a Peugeot 205 (diesel, but that's not relevant here).

At times, the speedometer jumped to significantly higher readings than the actual speed being driven, displaying values that were up to about 60 km/h too high for fractions of a second.

The cause was lubricant, which became somewhat liquid in the extreme heat of the parking lot and dripped from the rotating magnet onto the surrounding bell.
A "mechanical oil bridge" formed, which sometimes "interfered" during operation, causing the speedometer needle to receive not only the normal magnetic-inductive force transmission, but also mechanical impulses.

Perhaps you have a similar layer of grease between the needle and the speedometer housing?
You will likely have to disassemble the speedometer to check it.

It was actually the painted speedometer needle. Back then, I was convinced that the paint would eventually harden and then no longer stick - you can be wrong sometimes... I've now scraped it off in that spot - and there you go, the speedometer is working again.