Letter from VDO North America...

[Kathy Teulie <104372.1061@compuserve.com>]

The VDO odometer will only last 100,000 miles +/-. The Speedo will go for a
long time.
If this guy does not know about the fail rate on this thing he should  not
work for VDO!!!
100% of my 4 VW's had this same problem. 

Doug
87 16v silver Scirocco "GTX"

Message text written by Kris Tewkesbury
>>Dear Kris,
>Thank you for your inquiry concerning VW speedometer failures.  Our
>North American plant here in Winchester VA provides parts and service
>for many original equipment customers, including VW of America.
>
>>While you suggest that "there has been problems with many mid-1980's OEM
>Volkswagen speedometer/odometer units" I am unaware of any consistent
>failure or recall campaign.  For more information on recalls you should
>contact a local VW dealer or the NHTSA.  The NHTSA maintains a list of
>manufacturer recall notices and maintains an office to handle consumer
>inquiries.
>
>As for odometer failures in general, we maintain a service repair
>department in Winchester and have extensive experience in gauge failures
>and their causes.  Mechanical number wheel type odometers in particular
>present a number of technical challenges, operating environment,
>materials, lubricants, accuracy, and not the least, tamper resistance.
>The latter point is important as we see a number of failed units that
>have been damaged by tampering.  Other failure modes include drive gear
>fractures, odometer housing wear, pinion gear failure, movement seizure,
>and in the case of electrically driven units, printed circuit board and
>motor failure. Should your car suffer a failure I highly recommend a
>trip to your authorized VW dealer.  The dealer will charge more than the
>local garage, but has access to parts, special tools, and service
>information that most local garages don't.
>
>While the vast majority of VDO odometers have a life span in excess of
>the original vehicle, a limited number of failures do occur and are
>covered under the car makers warranty where it applies.  Failure outside
>of the manufacturers warranty period, much the same as any other
>mechanical part on the car, is a cost of ownership you and I must expect
>and pay for.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>EB Kent
>Service Manager
>VDO North America - Parts and Service
>Ekent@vdo.com
>540 678 2177 (fax2183)<

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