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VDO speedometer pickup
https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14161		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  ridepate [ Tue Jun 23, 2015 10:05 pm ]
Post subject:  VDO speedometer pickup
My new to me 2000 H170....4.3 (Yeah I'm back after a little break :D) I had no idea about this VDO cluster stuff until after I bought the boat......... :evil: But, my cluster seems to work as it should except for the speedo. It will move slightly when taking off up to about 6MPH. I did notice the sensor is hanging down about 5/8 on one side below the bottom of the boat. This can't be correct in my mind. Not to mention, it puts up a big spray behind the transom. The front of it should be flush with the bottom? Correct?
Author:  230 Mike [ Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: VDO speedometer pickup
If it's a pitot tube type pickup like this...

Image

... it should hang below the running surface about 1-1/2".

If it's that type, and if it's hanging down where it should, then the problem is most likely either that the hole in the front of the pickup is clogged with debris (happens a lot if it strikes floating wood), or that the water tube running from the pickup to the speedometer has a hole in it somewhere.
Author:  Graham R [ Wed Jun 24, 2015 2:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: VDO speedometer pickup
Didn't the various one piece VDO gauge set all use a paddle wheel sensor ? The one on my 1999 Sundowner did. I think the 2000 cluster used a different paddle wheel sensor, one with a water temperature gauge sender incorporated.

If I remember correctly, it was fitted to the starboard side of the transom. The bracket did not protrude below the hull at all, just the paddle wheel did .
Author:  rpengr [ Wed Jun 24, 2015 12:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: VDO speedometer pickup
My 2000 has the paddle-wheel sensor, and only the paddle wheel protrudes below the transom. When you go to move it, I would reseal the screws.

ps. Despite all the problems you read about, my VDO cluster works fine. Mine quit once, and it turned out to be an in-line fuse. Another time it acted up, and it turned out that my alternator was failing. No problems since then.
Author:  Graham R [ Wed Jun 24, 2015 4:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: VDO speedometer pickup
rpengr wrote:
My 2000 has the paddle-wheel sensor, and only the paddle wheel protrudes below the transom. When you go to move it, I would reseal the screws.

ps. Despite all the problems you read about, my VDO cluster works fine. .


I had the same experience; 1999 boat bought in 2001, VDO gauges still working fine when I sold it in 2005 and the speedo was linear from 0 mph and a damn sight more accurate then the pitot tube type my next boat, a 2004, came with !
Author:  ridepate [ Wed Jun 24, 2015 8:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: VDO speedometer pickup
Figured it out most likely. Mines a paddle-wheel BTW. The paddle-wheel has a depth-adjustment. The adjustment screw was gone and it was above the running-surface.....I re-mounted it correctly, flush with the hull and then dropped the wheel so it will be in the water. Should work now!
Author:  ridepate [ Wed Jun 24, 2015 9:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: VDO speedometer pickup
rpengr wrote:
My 2000 has the paddle-wheel sensor, and only the paddle wheel protrudes below the transom. When you go to move it, I would reseal the screws.

ps. Despite all the problems you read about, my VDO cluster works fine. Mine quit once, and it turned out to be an in-line fuse. Another time it acted up, and it turned out that my alternator was failing. No problems since then.


It looks as though my dash has had the ground-mod done to it already!!!! Now on to the trim-sender. Seems it has a broken-wire, or almost broken right at the sender. When I turn right it registers (wire-touching). Straight or to the left......it drops-out. I can see where the wire is almost broken right at the sender (white). Don't think I can fix it. @#%$ those things are expensive!
Author:  Jsyphil [ Thu Jun 25, 2015 5:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: VDO speedometer pickup
Wow! same issues as me, lol.
My Speedo doesn't work at all (Paddle wheel missing, crack in rest of sensor! Can't seem to get the Airmar replacement anywhere; i have the part number it's just getting hold of it.
My Trim sender doesn't work at all either, I will probably replace it over the winter - you're right, damn expensive for what they are!!!
Author:  rpengr [ Thu Jun 25, 2015 6:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: VDO speedometer pickup
Same with me... Trim sender doesn't work properly. I get some needle movement on the gage, but nothing useful.

I don't have any plans to replace the sender either. I'm used to the timing of how long to hold the button to trim up, and watching the propwash and spray patterns.
Author:  ridepate [ Sun Jun 28, 2015 8:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: VDO speedometer pickup
Speedo worked like a champ yesterday! Only about 3MPH off from GPS. Not bad.
Author:  Toddely [ Tue Jun 30, 2015 10:03 am ]
Post subject:  Re: VDO speedometer pickup
how expensive is the trim sensor? just curious.
Author:  ridepate [ Tue Jun 30, 2015 9:15 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: VDO speedometer pickup
For a SX-M, which I have, they average around 149.00. I did successfully solder my broken white-wire back on mine last night but it still is not working correctly. Got to get out the meter and make sure it's the sender before I go any farther.
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