Expert: Don Berlan - 8/21/2010

Question
Dear Sir,

I have an '85 325E with an intermittent speedometer.  The odometer appears to function when the speedometer does but is otherwise stuck at 209k.  Is there a chance these two problems are related?  There is a site that indicates it might be a matter of the electrical board needing to be re-attached (http://www.unofficialbmw.com/speedo/speedo.htm).  All the other gauges on the dash function normally.

Many thanks,
Nick

Answer
Well the speedometer is electrically operated.There is no cable so it is an electrical issue.Check the connections for clean connections and checking the wires(being the age) for corrosion.Internally the casing will be bumpy looking,inside the wire will be corroded.Where it does work I would think it maybe a dirty connection.As for if they are related yes the odometer and the speedo are joined.That is done by the gears in the speedo housing.Many times the speedo will work with out the odometer does not.(replacement of the gears in the speedo then are required.