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help. unplugging electrical harness from gauge cluster to fix odometer

Hi, I have an '85 Golf. The odometer isn't working so am following great directions at

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I've got the cluster loose, but for the life of me can't figure out how to disconnect the wiring harness (there are 2) from the back of the cluster. I don't want to break any of the plastic, but I've tried prying and tugging. Seems there are two flat plugs that go into a female socket. The socket just receives and puts the 2 flat male plugs into contact with the green ribbon cable.

Any hints on where are the catch or catches on those plugs? Is it a single bump on the bottom of the lower flat plug? I've tried prying and lifting on the female socket that seems to be engaging the bump, but no success. I just don't want to break something or tear the ribbon cable and create another problem to fix.

Guess I could work on the odometer in the car, but prefer to bring it inside onto a table with good light.

Thanks for any advice.

-Tony tony* snipped-for-privacy@shaw.ca (remove asterisk)

Reply to
twong
Loading thread data ...

Should just pull out from memory.

Reply to
Woodchuck

Hi, Thanks for replying. Still can't disconnect the 2 harnesses and don't want to exert too much force. Nonetheless, managed to release the 2 female sockets from the back of the cluster (ribbon cable/flexible circuit board still attached) to get enough slack to remove the speedometer.

For anyone stumbling onto this message in search of a fix for a mechanical odometer that stops registering miles/kilometers, here are

2 useful sources I came across.

1)

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search rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled news group for the exacttext "My odometer stopped!!!!" (note the 4 exclamation marks). Ronnie'sdetailed steps and tips are useful.

-Tony.

Reply to
twong

Another info source

3) search ec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled news group for the exact text "VDO speedo gear replacement available for A1?"

-Tony Vancouver, BC.

Reply to
twong

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