Anyone switch the S52 clock for S54 clock

[redlinealley]

I'm restoring my center console and my clock is dead. The terminals look like they got charred. The clock run but very slow. New S52 clock about 300.00 and on backorder vs a new S54 clock for135.00. But the connections are different on the back. Has anyone swapped there clocks out? I wanted to install the S54 bc it's available and a lot cheaper. Top is an S52 clock and the bottom is a S54 clock

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[BimmerBreaker]

S54 gauges also have a gray face that wont match any other gauge in the car

[redlinealley]

Oh ok, it looked black on ecstuning website.

[scenturion]

I think you can probably send it to a VDO specialist to be repaired, though it might end up costing nearly as much as a new one.

I know of one place that might be able to help, but I have to imagine that there are others.
http://www.paspeedo.com/

[Geo31]

Interesting.

The clock in my car has started running slowly since I brought her back to life after 4 years. Prior to that there were no issues with the clock. The only thing is the battery ran down while it was stored (there is a very small parasitic drain that becomes an issue if the car is not run at least every other week). But... I can't see how that would ruin the clock.

[redlinealley]

When the car is running its pretty much on a battery tender

[redlinealley]

I emailed paspeedo and hopefully they have good news for me. Thank you for posting

[Adker]

I'm restoring my center console and my clock is dead. The terminals look like they got charred. The clock run but very slow. New S52 clock about 300.00 and on backorder vs a new S54 clock for135.00. But the connections are different on the back. Has anyone swapped there clocks out? I wanted to install the S54 bc it's available and a lot cheaper. Top is an S52 clock and the bottom is a S54

This could be related to letting the battery go down. Most analog car clocks have a coil, connected to a set of points, that snap pulls the main spring to keep it wound. As the voltage of the battery goes down, the coil can not pull the points open and they remain closed pulling constant current. As point age, they get pitted and the contacts become less conductive, this will generate heat and arcing on the closed points with voltage on them. I never opened up a Z3 clock, but the ones I have, worked like the description above. If you open up the case, clean out all the dust and debris, lightly oil the shaft bearings (use a tooth pick dipped in light oil) and file the points of pitting, it may work again. Be interesting to get some pictures of the clock internal parts.

[z3forlife]

There's a number of members who have removed their clocks for other gauges also. Maybe someone has one lying around

[redlinealley]

I looked at the clock and it's a sealed unit. I won't buy a used on, just to have the same problems. Most likely I'll be sending this one out to have it rebuilt. This seems like the best option.

[Adker]

You have to remove the chrome ring to get it apart. Requires a good deal of patience and a soft touch to remove and re-crimp the ring without damaging it.

[redlinealley]

Gotcha... Thanks for that tip