Re: '71 squareback clock repair

[Trish & Ted Davis <volkfolk@erols.com>]

Jeff Carver wrote:
> 
> I'm just defiant or something I guess.  I refuse to have my VW's
> exhibit behavior that is "typical".  Thus, I must have a working
> clock and heaters.  The following applies to the
> mechanical/electrical type of clocks.  My '67 has one, and I believe
> the other years are similar.
> 
> They work by engaging a solenoid to slam a spring driven
> mechanism.  As the mechanical spring energy gets used up, an
> electrical contact is made, the solenoid slams the spring and
> mechanical action starts once again, and the electrical stuff does
> nothing until needed.
> 
> The typical failure mechanism is a fusible link in the electrical
> circuit.  I putzed around with my clock connected to 12V, grounded
> the housing, poking around with a screwdriver, got lucky, and a
> connection was made and the clock jumped to life in my hands.  I
> repeated this until I found out WHERE I was making the connection.
> 
> A VERY nerve wracking experience, if you are not prepared for it.
> To have something jump to life, then die again.  Patience is needed
> to wait for the clock to wind down to have the solenoind jump again.
> 
> I finally found the place where the contact should have been,
> (disconnected from power of course) and wrapped a piece of copper
> wire around the connection.  The clock has never failed since.
> 
> There is apparently (from Type 2 list info) a fusible link inside the
> clock that I replaced with the copper wire.  BTW, I used telephone
> wire stripped of the insulation.  I someone does this and has access
> to a digital camera or such, it would be worth while to post a
> picture of this for others.
> 
> Stare at the internals of the clock and follow the current path from
> the connector to the solenoid.  Don't forget to ground the housing to
> assure a ground path.  Look for a place where it looks like a rivet
> is missing.
> 
> I was also having a grounding problem, so I wired a separate ground
> wire from the clock housing to a solid body ground.
> 
> > My clock seems not to be working anymore. Do you have any idea how do I
> > repair it? By changing the fuse? I would like to hear out your tips!
> 
> - Jeff '67 Sqbk

Wow! Thanks, Jeff - I know we appreciate good info like this out 
here in "no one's clock has worked for years" Land....We'll give it a 
try, maybe there'll be a whole clock rennaissance out there! :) Now, if 
someone could just figure out how to make the wishield washer fluid 
work..... ;) -T