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Testing Speedos?
Gibbo - December 2nd, 2004 at 09:18 AM

Morning all!

I dont spose there is a way to test speedos?

I have about 12 to test!

Cheers

VWFREAK - December 2nd, 2004 at 09:22 AM

Ask Dave Birchall or Dave Becker.

MikeM - December 2nd, 2004 at 10:05 AM

Easiest way I've seen of late is to use a GPS. Most GPSs have a current speed reading. Just compare that to you speedo.

Gibbo - December 2nd, 2004 at 11:44 AM

Erm, I mean that they actually work, not the acuracy.

Do you mean some kinda techy GPS system fitted to a car?

VWFREAK - December 2nd, 2004 at 11:48 AM

I've used my work police radar gun before, but that only works when fitted to the car. I've heard of drills being used, but I'm unsure of the maths behind it. Works in theory I suppose.

MikeM - December 2nd, 2004 at 11:51 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gibbo
Do you mean some kinda techy GPS system fitted to a car?


No, just a cheap hand held one in the car with you will do.

Even devices like the "road angel" that use GPS technology have a current speed readout.

as for testing if they work out of the car, yeah spin the shaft and the needle should move :)

Gibbo - December 2nd, 2004 at 11:53 AM

Thanks all.

Yogie - December 2nd, 2004 at 12:36 PM

Lionel Otto instruments in Evans Road Salisbury test them. Not sure how much it costs but we just had 2 beetle speedos rebuilt and had one of them converted to kmh for $160 if that helps. ( We got the kmh face plate from an L bug to fit on to the older speedo and he recalibrated it)

Yogie

Gibbo - December 2nd, 2004 at 12:38 PM

Excellent info, thats just around the corner from me.

Cheers!

Gibbo - December 2nd, 2004 at 12:57 PM

A very kind person just U2U'd me this info, thanks!

Quote:
Hi when I tested my speedo I had a small nylon tool used for adjusting t.v's , filed down the end to fit in where the cable goes and used a drill ( running backwards from memory), to turn it. and if it sqeals the internal gears need lubrication.
Steve

vw54 - December 2nd, 2004 at 01:52 PM

If you just want to see them spin the needle get a battery drill n old cable hook them up and spin the drill in reverse.... easy

blutopless2 - December 5th, 2004 at 05:32 PM

should be able to test the accuracy with the drill also.. if you know how fast the drill is running then you can calculate the reading on the speedo.. should have the conversion on the speedo - usually stamped on the back.

jonno-t3 - December 6th, 2004 at 05:47 PM

yeh...as vw54 said...in the drill and wack it in reverse....my dewalt 12v does about 70km/h!!!

jonno