Clock

[EKH00N]

Wondering if anyone has a solution for stopping the clock winder contacts from burning out. I.e. Something can be added like a resitor etc?

[MeFB]

I've got a sure-fire fix for your problem....

I've got a set of NOS standard idiot lights. I'll swap you for the clock and then you won't have any more dramas

[EKH00N]

Sure no worries.. As long as the car is still attached to them lol. Love my clock

[MeFB]

Ha...ha...no such luck. I'm too attached to my FB

I'm having clock dramas myself. Shorted wiring

I'm sure I've seen a fix for the clock contacts on another site. I'll scratch around and PM you if I manage to find it.

[MeFB]

I've done some research and it seems that the main cause of the contacts burning is a voltage spike when the contacts are opening. Some people recommend putting a diode across the rectifier assembly to tame-down the stray voltage. The band of the diode goes to the positive side. Here's a link to an article about doing the procedure to a Smith's clock that works in a similar way to the EK VDO clock.

http://www.sa.hillman.org.au/TT_SmithsClock.htm

Another important tip is to really clean the mechanism well with contact cleaner and then use a specialist clock oil that won't thicken up and cause excess current draw. Also carefully file down the contacts so that they are nice and parallel.

I'm having clock problems myself and will be doing some 'garage surgery' in a couple of weeks. If you're patient, I'll try this on mine first and let you know how it works out. I'll take pictures & stuff and put up a sticky.

[EKH00N]

Thanks Me!! That would be great!! Appreciate the advice!

[MeFB]

No problem - happy to help.

One thing that I am looking for is the original installation instructions for the clock. I didn't install the one in my car and one of the wires has burnt out taking half of the loom with it (hate to see what the inside of my clock looks like). I'm guessing that someone has frigged the thermal fuse inside the clock at some stage

I think the identical VDO / Kienzle clock mechanisms were put into a lot of cars, so I might have to hunt down one from a 1960s Volvo or VW and do a swaparoo into my FB/EK casing.

I don't want to do the quartz conversion because, even though the original mechanism is as silly as a bum full of smarties, I want to hear it tick and clunk and buzz like it should

If you have a copy of the installation instructions, or know anyone that does, then I'd love to have a scan of it sent to me please.

[EKH00N]

Pm sent Me!