I removed the clock from center cluster this weekend in hopes of rebuilding it. I took some electronics cleaner and tuner lube to it, got the gears turning nicely. For those of you that have taken the clock out before, here's what I found, please tell me if my deductions are correct and what I need to fix:

1. The spring loaded disc that actually moves the clock gears, which is attached to the second hand and movement is governed by the tooth gear and spinning weight (sorry for lack of proper vacabulary). This works fine. I can push the disc counter-clockwise and the second hand and clock works until the disc contact reaches the coil contact, and then stops.

2. It appears that the contacts between the afore mentioned disc and the arm coming off the coil housing are slightly burned. I am guessing that the clock works by "zapping" the disc counter-clockwise once contact is made to the coil housing arm? :confused:

3. The coil housing arm is on a hinge, that I am assuming comes into contact with the cylinder inside the coil because the coil is creating a magnetic field? I tried hooking the clock up to car battery, and got nothing.

4. There is continuity between the postive lug on the clock and the coil housing. Does this mean the coil is shorted to the housing, or is this how it is supposed to be? (I thought coils were supposed to be electrically separate from their cores)

The clock gears appear to work fine after some cleaning and light lubrication. I don't want to trash the clock if it's just a coil that needs replaced, or something else simple that I'm overlooking. Any help would be appreciated.

Jeff

 

Jeff, I can't tell you much about the workings inside the factory electric clock - when I bought my car last year, one of the first things I did was install one of the aftermarket quartz kits. Works like a charm, and retains the stock face and hands. Seems like it was about $60 or $70. Installation was a little tedious, but not difficult.

If you can't get your original one to work, you might want to consider that rather than trashing the original one.

Good luck!
Jeff Broughton

 

Which company sells the aftermarket quartz clocks for that price? Sorry if that is not out of the ordinary, but i haven't researched it yet- but would like to get it done. But mine's right twice a day.... :rolleyes:

 

Thats your best bet, replace with quarts. The coil on mine was open, other than that the gears where in great shape.

 

If I remember correctly, The only thing really electrical about the clock is the points. When they touch, it cause the arm to swing back which in turn winds a spring. The spring is what actually keeps it ticking. Eventually it will unwind itself until the points make contact again and then it starts all over. lou

 

Thejaf, I have heard of this movement being called an electro-mechanical movement for the reasons that you describe. The clock works mechanically until you get to the end of the spring travel and then the electrical movement is activated by the points, closing the circuit. This closed circuit "rewinds" the spring action. The process repeats itself.

I had luck with my 66 clock movement by taking it out, cleaning it, and then lightly filing the points. I put very small amounts of lightweight oil on the gears; not WD40 nor 3-in-1, but a real clock oil. When I put it back in my car it ran for perhaps a year. I don't understand all the electrical activity going on with the clock but perhaps someone else can join in on this. I intend to do this to my 72 clock and get it running. The sad thing is that my friend has a 73 that he stored in a boat storage facility, no heating or a/c, for 16 years. He pulled it out, got it running and, yes, the clock works. It has been working now for four years. :confused: Go figure.

Gary

 

NEW77GUY, I don't remember off the top of my head which vendor I bought the quartz kit from. It was right after I bought the car last year, so it was probably Corvette Central (that was one of the few vendors that I had a catalog from at that time). But I imagine most all of the major vendors stock them.

Jeff Broughton

 

If you have a corvette magazine there is usually a guy in the advertising that rebuilds clocks and gauges. Anyway you can call him and he will set you up with what you are looking for. I bought the quartz movement clock from him already put together and sent him my broke clock and it has worked great ever since.
Corvette Clocks By Roger
800 752-3421
Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the info. I will try to lightly file the points first, and if that doesn't work, I'll contact Roger. :cheers: