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Discussion
2000 year Chim with digital mileage readout.
My Speedo has been a bit intermittent over the years and now reads 60 mph when stood still.
My cars fast but not that fast.
Drops back to zero with ignition off but digital mileage screen is staying on!
Is this a car wiring / fusebox issue or clock?
Any ideas.
My Speedo has been a bit intermittent over the years and now reads 60 mph when stood still.
My cars fast but not that fast.
Drops back to zero with ignition off but digital mileage screen is staying on!
Is this a car wiring / fusebox issue or clock?
Any ideas.
Yes exactly and I have.
Looking back the speedo started registering a speed signal even stood still but would correct itself once moving.
I’ve ran the engine in gear on jacks with no change.
My MBE Ecu uses the tachometer rather than the speedo because it never worked very well even in 2015 when the MBE was fitted.
For info
I’ve disconnected the speed censor at the Dif yesterday and no change.
Would it be ok to use a multi meter and check the speedo block connector to see if i still have power even with ignition off although the needle does drop to zero when ign is turned off.
It appears it’s only the digital mileage read out that stays live.
Looking back the speedo started registering a speed signal even stood still but would correct itself once moving.
I’ve ran the engine in gear on jacks with no change.
My MBE Ecu uses the tachometer rather than the speedo because it never worked very well even in 2015 when the MBE was fitted.
For info
I’ve disconnected the speed censor at the Dif yesterday and no change.
Would it be ok to use a multi meter and check the speedo block connector to see if i still have power even with ignition off although the needle does drop to zero when ign is turned off.
It appears it’s only the digital mileage read out that stays live.
Edited by BritishTvr450 on Wednesday 31st July 08:35
I have the tools to reset the digital displays on the earlier version (which I then converted to having a external battery holder so that it could be changed at service points), but I have not seen the that version. Have you removed the rubber grommet to look for a battery or spoken to Caerbont as yet. A flat 12V battery will drain the 3V as you turn the ignition on, but 6 months with no power would most likely leave it flat and unable to hold the display/zero. A@
Edited by Adrian@ on Wednesday 31st July 08:48
Adrian@ said:
I have the tools to reset the digital displays on the earlier version (which I then converted to having a external battery holder so that it could be changed at service points), but I have not seen the that version. Have you removed the rubber grommet to look for a battery or spoken to Caerbont as yet. A flat 12V battery will drain the 3V as you turn the ignition on, but 6 months with no power would most likely leave it flat and unable to hold the display/zero. A@
Edited by Adrian@ on Wednesday 31st July 08:48
Yes I’ve made a call and awaiting a return call from an engineer.
Not sure if that black plastic cap is for the battery holder but I’ve decided not to touch it up until I’ve spoke to the engineer.
I’ll update when more information is available to me.
I’ve never left it with a flat battery.
I don’t understand your comment about no power unable to hold the display?
It displays the mileage as it was before I disconnected the car from power which suggests the small battery still worked and held memory.
The problems are
1 speedo reading 60+ mph when switched on
2 mileage digital readout still displays even when ignition is turned off which sounds like a car problem to my untrained eye.
Thanks though
Edited by BritishTvr450 on Wednesday 31st July 10:59
Adrian@ said:
There is a ex-Caerbont manager that now has his own business, (I saw it on a thread here, but I cannot see it ATM) for a second opinion...just a thought. A@
That’s interesting. According to the Caerbont engineer the parts for mine are no longer available and why they can’t repair it.
Funnily enough he mentioned mine was quite rare and only used for a few years which might be why you’d not seen it before.
I assumed it’s the same one as used in the Cerbera but I’m probably wrong on that one.
I’m not convinced it’s the clock causing the digital read out to stay live when ignition is switched off and rather a car wiring issue.
My logic suggests the power should go dead to the clock with ignition off but does the car provide a constant source of power to charge the internal battery.
That information would be very helpfull.
I’m expecting the new clock to be expensive and I just hope it comes with the correct colour bezel!
Am I right in thinking you can very carefully remove the bezel from my clock and fit it to the new clock. I’ll ask Caerbont but rather trust TVR people rather than someone trying to sell me something.
I suppose without doing the job that’s a difficult question to answer.
The only spare Magnolia Speedo I have has the mechanical mileage. Sad as I am I am still heading off to an internal battery to hold memory of that digital display and zero of the needle. John at ETB used to play with that bezel. A guy here on PH created a frequency generator to reset the mileage...and I purchased the battery holders to remote the battery, which I still have around me.
Impressive.
Caerbont got back to me promptly.
The new gauge will come with the silver surround.
I can even set the mileage to whatever I want within the 1st 100 miles then it sets itself for good.
Should take about 4 weeks to arrive from date of order.
Less than £200 + vat which I think is a fair price.
Result
Caerbont got back to me promptly.
The new gauge will come with the silver surround.
I can even set the mileage to whatever I want within the 1st 100 miles then it sets itself for good.
Should take about 4 weeks to arrive from date of order.
Less than £200 + vat which I think is a fair price.
Result
Be thankful that you can straight swap!
As the analogue ones fail (parts no longer available to fix them), only the sort you have are available. And you have to change the tacho at the same time (because the ignition and oil warning lamps are now in there).
Plus, different connectors entirely are required on the loom.
As the analogue ones fail (parts no longer available to fix them), only the sort you have are available. And you have to change the tacho at the same time (because the ignition and oil warning lamps are now in there).
Plus, different connectors entirely are required on the loom.sixor8 said:
Be thankful that you can straight swap!
As the analogue ones fail (parts no longer available to fix them), only the sort you have are available. And you have to change the tacho at the same time (because the ignition and oil warning lamps are now in there). Plus, different connectors entirely are required on the loom.
Yes I feel fortunate there’s a replacement at all. And yes even the plug is the same. As the analogue ones fail (parts no longer available to fix them), only the sort you have are available. And you have to change the tacho at the same time (because the ignition and oil warning lamps are now in there).
Plus, different connectors entirely are required on the loom.I used my car for about 12 years constantly and never had any major issues although I did replace lots of things as I went along mainly to keep the car at its peak.
Recently being side tracked with work and life I took the decision to park it up for some time.
This has caused many small and some big faults which are causing me many hours to rectify.
The old adage goes “ use it or loose it”
To be fair the speedo has never worked particularly well so i’m looking forward to one that hopefully should. Fingers are firmly crossed.
keeling54 said:
I have an original working unit from a 1993 Chim if you want to test it out. Not sure where in the country you are though. I swapped mine for a new etb speedo because the LCD had failed.
I don’t think that would work on my 2000 year car but thank you for that kind offer. Maybe offer it to someone else as I’m sure someone else has speedo issues.
I think many of us have parts that could be useful to others.
keeling54 said:
I have an original working unit from a 1993 Chim if you want to test it out. Not sure where in the country you are though. I swapped mine for a new etb speedo because the LCD had failed.
IF this offer is not taken up...I would happily have a go at putting a battery into a '93 version if the display has failed... (it would refresh my memory on doing one, as the last I did one was 15 years ago) AND I would have the 1999 version..simply because I have not seen one before and it I am interested in why these are being condemned. Both, I am happy to pay shipping ..my email address is ...A@Edited by Adrian@ on Friday 2nd August 20:27
Adrian@ said:
IF this offer is not taken up...I would happily have a go at putting a battery into a '93 version if the display has failed... (it would refresh my memory on doing one, as the last I did one was 15 years ago) AND I would have the 1999 version..simply because I have not seen one before and it I am interested in why these are being condemned. Both, I am happy to pay shipping ..my email address is taimarturbo@gmail.com A@
Hi Adrian.
You can have mine no worries but keep me informed if you can fix it purely out of interest.
It’s going back in the dash for a short time but when my new one arrives it’s yours.
Are you still living in Cov?
We met many years ago when you re flared my clutch hyd pipe in quick time when my car was at Powers and I needed it repaired that day.
I’ll pop it over to you.
I’ll email you so you have my details.
Regards Al.
ETA Caerbont mentioned the parts are no longer available to repair this particular clock but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a solution.
Edited by BritishTvr450 on Friday 2nd August 11:45
I wanted just the brushed aluminium bezel for mine, a magnolia speedo but the analogue type.
It has slight damage even though it was removed with care
from getting the digits working again. I was told they weren't available despite them constructing the new type still with the same bezel. 
From either Caerbont, ETB or JDO.
It has slight damage even though it was removed with care
from getting the digits working again. I was told they weren't available despite them constructing the new type still with the same bezel. From either Caerbont, ETB or JDO. Gassing Station | Chimaera | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff