Speedo VDO question

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CID
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Speedo VDO question

Post by CID »

Hello All,

Yes, it has been a long time since I was here...and there are quite some things changes, but still great..
No, I did not sell my 88 Lotus Excel SE. She is nearly at the end of a restoration project. Only painting + airco repair.

Now that The virus keeps us home there is some more time to finish the project.

I have a problem with my speedo it is a VDO Km/ph unit manual gearbox type.
It works but the previous owner replaced it with the wrong type I guess as it indicates to low kmph when driving.

Q:So I was wondering if there is only 1 type of VDO speedo for manual late Excels?
I wanted to buy new one at SJS 75£ 260 km/ph. They seems to have km/ph :o ...

Or does any one has other resources?

Thanks in advance....

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bash
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Re: Speedo VDO question

Post by bash »

try these, they are very good and can repair most guages.
https://speedycables.com/instruments/ga ... nversions/

Bash
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Re: Speedo VDO question

Post by richardw »

The late manual Excels have a 3.9:1 diff, and the early ones use 4.1:1, so there are 2 types of VDO km/h speedos for manual cars. The one you need is for the 3.9:1 diff and the Lotus part number is A089N6017P.

Cheers, Richard
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Re: Speedo VDO question

Post by CHRISYD »

I never considered the diff types. I fitted a second hand one from an H reg car into my C reg. I haven't noticed much if any difference when for instance following other vehicles.
I REALISED YOU CANT LIVE WITHOUT A LOTUS!!! Until now :oops:

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CID
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Re: Speedo VDO question

Post by CID »

Thanks guys...

Well I must say the current SPeedo is way out by 30-40%. :oops:
But if I can find the correct one would be preferrable.
So the SJSportscar one is not the right one, it's the A089N6013F

Sending my Speedo to calibrate costs also a lot of money + shipment.. but I can give it a try. Thanks...

Rgds Curt

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don.hasi
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Re: Speedo VDO question

Post by don.hasi »

I think, I have one spare.... do we know the part number of VDO which should be likely on the back of the case? Then we can compare and I send it to you
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Re: Speedo VDO question

Post by CID »

Hello Don,

thanks very much for the offer.
What's on the back of your VDO Speedo?
I could not find a reference for the Lotus VDO numbers?

I also inquired for a recalibration.

Thanks
RGDSCurt

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don.hasi
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Re: Speedo VDO question

Post by don.hasi »

Hello Curt,

Must say a deep sorry. My memory proof me wrong... it was a rev counter spare, not a speedo :cry: otherwise I would be happy to provide it to you.
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Re: Speedo VDO question

Post by Phantasm »

As much as I like OEM... I replaced my VDO with one from an Esprit. Gained me an Extra 10 mph!!! (reads 170 vs 160). It too wasn't quite right for ratio and is also failing in the same manner as the previous one only 5-10K later.
Thus, I'm going GPS with a clean retro look next go round. I have my phone for now which keeps me honest on the HWY while my needle chatters about like a flamenco dancer. Odometer is working fine.
Trying to remember if the Diameter is 80 or 85mm? I recall it being hard to find the proper size but could get close since motorcycles are so similar. Car is 250 miles away at the moment and can't go to it due to work constraints - thanks COVID19!!
-Bill
1991-92ish Lotus Excel SE Silk Red
2009 Jeep Wrangler X Unlimited 4X4
2015.5 Volvo V60 T5
Previous: 2005 Toyota Prius, 2002 Nissan Maxima SE 6 speed, 1988 Toyota 4Runner, 1989 Toyota 4Runner, 1995 Dodge Neon, 1986 Ford Mustang

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CID
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Re: Speedo VDO question

Post by CID »

@Don,

No problem.. My memory is something also blur. Especially with the Lock-down here.... :mrgreen:

@Bill,

Yes my original one probably went also down in the same way. Important to have a good smooth cable. Yes mech speedo's don't like bobbling around. Problem with the LHD is even critical. LHD and RHD use the same cable and it is a longer way to the LHD position.
I wonder if this firm http://www.speedograph-richfield.com/html/lotus.html could make a better/ longer one. Excel not in the list, but they helped me out for making a cable for my Ginetta G32. Love these kind of firms, quality and specialism resists time... and probably corona too. :wink:

Rgds Curt

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Re: Speedo VDO question

Post by Hawaiis0 »

CID wrote:
Fri Apr 24, 2020 20:12
.. Problem with the LHD is even critical. LHD and RHD use the same cable and it is a longer way to the LHD position.
..
Ok here is an idea for a solution.
The SA has a speed sensor for the Cruise control just after the bulkkead. If you get one of those and the smaller extension cable you could fashion up a nice extension if length is important.
Makes the dash removal really easy too
Be careful guys on the reply :twisted:
Nothing is fool proof. Fools are clever!

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CID
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Re: Speedo VDO question

Post by CID »

Some update here:

- I bought the SJSportscar Speedo A089N6013F which is not the right one but just gives a smal % deviation.

But then after a month it died again.. Seems it was not the Speedo this time but the speedo-gear in the gearbox that has gone bad. Part of the gears was gone???

I could not find the gear with the correct amount of teeth (36/10 in my case) but I found a list of Toyota parts with different ratios. So you could change the speedo ratio by just changing this gear...

I bought the 35:10 from my local Toyota dealer for 35Euro.
Toyota Code_________ratio
33403-29145 31 teeth (for 31:10)
33403-29125 32 teeth (for 32:10)
33403-29135 33 teeth (for 33:10)
33403-39075 34 teeth (for 34:10)
33403-19235 35 teeth (for 35:10)

So now my reading is spot on :D :D :D

Rgds Curt

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bash
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Re: Speedo VDO question

Post by bash »

Interesting, my car is running a different differential ratio so I need to get the calculator out. I didnt know there were other gears available. Ive had the car 26 years and Im still learning. Thanks for the info.

Bash
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Re: Speedo VDO question

Post by Hawaiis0 »

CID wrote:
Sun Sep 19, 2021 16:07
.....

So now my reading is spot on :D :D :D

Rgds Curt
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bash
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Re: Speedo VDO question

Post by bash »

Found this was handy to calculate which gear is needed thanks to our cousins on the ma61 forum.
https://www.celicasupra.com/threads/3-9 ... ion.10668/

I also came across this from our upside down cousins.

https://www.sq-engineering.com/product/ ... edo-drive/

Bash
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.

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