• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Odometer skipped ahead

themechanic

themechanic

Oklahoma is OK
Local time
5:32 PM
Joined
Nov 11, 2012
Messages
21,227
Reaction score
27,107
Location
Moore, Oklahoma
I restored my original non-rally gauge cluster in my 69 Coronet R/T some years ago. Since the odometer was faded and yellowed, I used the stickers made for the odometer and chose to keep the current mileage on the odometer instead of resetting it to zero. At that time I replaced the speedometer cable with a new one which I lubricated before installing it. I drove the car and verified the speedometer operated as it should and was accurate and noted the mileage appeared to increase normally.

Fast forward to a few months ago when I had the engine rebuilt. The shop recorded the mileage at 90,013 miles. When I got the car back I didn't notice right away that the odometer seems to have jumped ahead to 1200 miles until after a few drives to break-in the piston rings; That's over 10,000 miles. I know I have only driven less than 200 miles since the rebuild.

What could be the problem?

3rd photo is after restoration and just before reinstallation.

20250908_154515.jpg


20250908_154522.jpg


gauge cluster restored.JPG
 
Last edited:
You most likely do not have the odometer wheels lock plates indexed and secured on the bar.
 
pnora said:
You most likely do not have the odometer wheels lock plates indexed and secured on the bar.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure what you're talking about. I removed the cylinder with the numbers and installed the stickers and replaced the cylinder. The odometer worked for years afterwards (about 1,000 miles).
 
pnora said:
You most likely do not have the odometer wheels lock plates indexed and secured on the bar.
Click to expand...


I haven't had one apart for a while but i believe this is what pnora is talking about. Those little legs need to be up against the stop.

odometer.png
 
themechanic said:
I'm not sure what you're talking about. I removed the cylinder with the numbers and installed the stickers and replaced the cylinder. The odometer worked for years afterwards (about 1,000 miles).
Click to expand...
If you do not understand , then what I described above is most likely what you overlooked.
 
I posted photos just now.

Looks like the only way the cylinder could raise up on one side (left, in this case) is if that clip came off somehow or is missing for some reason.
 
If the thousand wheel (or ten thousand) doesn't have the index locked up against the stop plate, could it/they be dragged along every time the hundred mile wheel rolls over? Seems plausible.
 
Would be nice if the Chrysler engineer who designed the dash would have made it so the gauges abd speedometer could be replaced without disassembling the entire dashboard.
 
Those "fingers" are super tricky to get back.
They all have to be interlaced with the metal of the speedometer display.
It's almost enough to make a fellow not do that job, once you start removing the wheel assembly.
 
66 Sat said:
Ferris Bueller been borrowing the car?
Click to expand...
I was thinking the same thing :rofl:

I agree about the locking plates.....I recently had my odometer in a specialist shop to add the OE miles to the new 'NOS' km odometer......I could have done it, but I know all too well that it only takes a minor slip and the dials get all fugged up.

Only cost me about US$70 to get it done correctly. Money well spent in my book. Besides, every little bit helps keep another small business alive. :thumbsup:
 
themechanic said:
Would be nice if the Chrysler engineer who designed the dash would have made it so the gauges abd speedometer could be replaced without disassembling the entire dashboard.
Click to expand...
I think part of the reason it has been designed to be relatively difficult is to prevent odometer fraud.

Imagine if Used Car dealers could wind back odometers without breaking a sweat......:rolleyes:
 
kiwigtx said:
I think part of the reason it has been designed to be relatively difficult is to prevent odometer fraud.

Imagine if Used Car dealers could wind back odometers without breaking a sweat......:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
True. But a knowledgeable mechanic is able to test whether the mileage is true.
 
Roadhog51 said:
How many "true mechanics" are out there car shopping? I remember back in the "day" a man came around to the car lots and charged a very reasonable fee to set back the odometers!
Click to expand...
I don't know.

If you ask to have the car independently inspected and they say no just walk away. There's always been garages who would do a PPI on a used car.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Speedometer right, odometer wrong
Replies
5
Views
966
Car #4
C
Richard Cranium
1968 Sport Satellite
2 3 4
Replies
75
Views
2K
eldubb440
eldubb440
ydrive
MIDLIFE CRISIS?
2
Replies
36
Views
924
Unkle Krusty
Unkle Krusty
krazykuda
What's it Worth Thinking of selling my dad's Superbird
2 3 4
Replies
78
Views
4K
plymouth67
plymouth67
Dibbons
Odometer Accurate but Speedometer Not Accurate
2
Replies
36
Views
3K
threewood
threewood
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top