VDO Gauge Repair Local?

[356D]

I've looked all over the internet and yes, I've found the North Hollywood and Palo Alto VDO repair shops. But has anyone ever found a place local to us that can do the repairs on the speedo and clock without having to ship it to Calidonia? I have a '68 with original gauges I'd like to get fixed.

Thanks!

[porsh111214]

If you find one let me cause I have several I want to fix.

[356D]

Well, I have gotten a quote back from two repair places. One is

 
SPEEDOMETER PLUS
8916 Ellis Ave, Los Angeles, CA  90034

Tel: 1-877-900-9009

http://www.speedometerplus.com/

They want $115 to fix the speedo, plus $11.50 for shipping.

The clock costs $135 to repair. Both prices include parts, labor and one year warranty on the work.

 

Locally, I found

Powl's Speedometer and Automotive repair:

2340 Dairy Road, Lancaster Pa. 17601
(717) 898-2552

http://www.powls-speedometer.com/Speedom...fault.aspx

Unfortunately they cost more.... Both will cost a minimum of $150 plus parts plus shipping. Parts for the speedo will cost anywhere from $5 to $100 and the clock parts can't be quoted without them taking it apart and seeing what is actually wrong with it.

So, California is $261.50 plus worrying about the shipping..... and Lancaster is $300 before parts and shipping... Could be around $400-500 when all said and done...

I may just take my chances with Cali...............

[porsh111214]

About a year ago I called North Hollywood Repair(?).  They told me they put Quartz movements in the clock, new bezel, and it was arround $200 if I remember correctly.

The tach or speedo was about $150 with a new bezel and calibration.  Both were for my 67 912 green dials.   I didn't let shipping enter the picture cause I have a UPS account.

[356D]

After some research, and discussions with two Porsche repair specialists, I have come up with the following recommendations:

1) It's always best to go with a VDO specialist when dealing with the clocks. That would be either

North Hollywood Speedometer & Clock Co.

611 Lankershim Blvd.

North Hollywood, CA 91606

Tel. 818-761-5136

Fax. 818-761-4857

Email: info@nhspeedometer.com

Website: http://www.nhspeedometer.com/

 

OR

 

NSI (Nichols Speedometer & Instrument)

1336 Oakland Ave.

Greensboro, NC 27403
Tel. 336-273-2881

Fax: 336-273-2923

Email: info@nsifleet.com

Website: http://www.nsifleet.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv

 

 

I was told that NSI is like the East Coast Branch of VDO specialists.

 

2) The speedometer, well that’s a lot less tricky than the clock, I’m told that generally most speedometer repair shops can handle the cleaning, lubricating and minor repairs for them. To refurbish or refinish them, the above two places would be the recommended shops.

 

There are several other shops in California that I’ve found who also claim to repair the clocks as well as all the VDO gauges, but nobody I’ve talked to has ever used their services.

 

Palo Alto Speedometer, Inc.

http://www.paspeedo.com/porsche912.htm

 

 

Speedometer Plus

http://www.speedometerplus.com/

 

 

Southern Electronics, Inc.

http://www.instrumentclusters.com/

 

 

United Speedometer Service

http://www.speedometershop.com/

 

 

But locally, all I have found is

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Powl's Speedometer and Automotive repair:

2340 Dairy Road

Lancaster Pa. 17601
(717) 898-2552

Website: http://www.powls-speedometer.com/SpeedometerRepair/Default.aspx

 

 

And the people I talked to only had speedometers repaired at Powl’s. So they can’t vouch for any clock repairs.

 

I may just send them out to California and be done with it…

 

[356D]

porsh111214 wrote:

About a year ago I called North Hollywood Repair(?). They told me they put Quartz movements in the clock, new bezel, and it was arround $200 if I remember correctly.

The tach or speedo was about $150 with a new bezel and calibration. Both were for my 67 912 green dials. I didn't let shipping enter the picture cause I have a UPS account.

You were right about the NH Repair. I just got this email from them:

The average repair and calibration of a 912 speedometer amounts to app. $ 130.00 - 150.00 plus shipping.

Your 912 clock could be converted by us to a quartz movement operation at $ 200.00. Due to their age and worn out condition we no longer service electro mechanical movements. The conversion does not alter the appearance or wiring of the clock and provides you with a superior product. 1 year warranty on all repairs. App. 1-2 weeks turnaround time.

[porsh111214]

I wonder if we send California all the stuff we want "fixed" 4-5-or more pieces if we could get a better price break and send it in under a business name? If you want call me at home in Easton.

[356D]

porsh111214 wrote:

I wonder if we send California all the stuff we want "fixed" 4-5-or more pieces if we could get a better price break and send it in under a business name? If you want call me at home in Easton.

I don't have your phone number. You have a pm.

[porsh111214]

My home is 610-258-8705 and my cell is 610-217-2016.  If you get this tonight call the home.

[356D]

Palo Alto Speedometer Repair also responded:

We specialize in Porsche instrument repair.  We do not have any set prices for our Porsche instrument repair services.  The way that we usually handle this type of a repair is that you would ship the speedometer and clock off to us for a free estimate.  Once we have received them I would test them and call you to discuss what I have found.  The price per gauge of course depends upon its condition, and which parts are needed.  We have all repair parts in stock and all of our work comes with a 12 month warranty.  The average turn around time is about 2 weeks + UPS time.  If you decide to send us your speedometer and tachometer make sure to enclose a short cover letter with all of your information, along with a brief description of what you are looking to have done. We usually arrange payment with Visa / Master Card or Discover Card over the phone.
The typical speedometer rebuild is about $185.00, and rebuild of the clock with a new VDO quartz movement is typically $215.00 + shipping.
Our shipping address is : Palo Alto Speedometer, Inc.
                          718 Emerson Street
                          Palo Alto, CA. 94301-2410