1983 Analog Clock not working

[AmpTrooper]

Anyone know if it is a battery or a fuse or what for the analog clock in an 80's Continental Mark VI and how to fix it? I have lightly looked for it but figured if it is a batt. that i would probably have to take the dash front off to get to it.

It is the dial that is closet to the passenger side.

 

[billcu]

An easy way to check the fuse is the owners manual. Find out what fuse the clock uses, and what other circuts use that same fuse. If the other circuts are ok, the fuse is good.

I'm not sure what kind of clock they used in the 80's Continental, but older conventional ticking clocks used a points/solenoid type of setup. As the clock ran down, points would make contact, and the solenoid would move to wind the clock again. Often times the clock can be taken apart and the points cleaned.

 

[tixer]

Quick 'n dirty.

To access the cluster, gently pry off the two parts outlined in blue. they just snap into place.

Screws are in the approximate locations of the red circles, which should allow you to remove the trim around the cluster.

The cluster should then be accessible. I have one out of an '89 in the garage that is very similar to yours. I don't have time right now to go look, but I'll try to grab it this afternoon. I'm thinking it's just a 12vdc electric clock. If I'm right, and if mine works, it's for sale. cheap.

 

[tixer]

I'm back. And here's what I found.

The printing on this one is a bit different from yours, but I am hopeful that the mechanicals are the same. The clock does work, as shown in the first two photos. although I could have timed them better. it seems I'm almost exactly 30 seconds apart. the clock "ticks" rather than moving smoothly. I guess I wasn't sure what to expect. the cluster in my own Town Car is digital..

the 3rd photo is the back of the cluster. From the looks of things, it could be dissembled further, and the individual clock motor could be removed. If your problem proves to be the clock itself, and your instrumentation is built like this, I'm thinking this one may be an option.

Oh. and no fair making fun of my kitchen. that pot lid is clean. I just have to put it away.

Edit: that black cable extending from the bottom of the cluster is what controls the gear indicator. It attaches to the steering column with that white plastic clamp. *warning* the clamp is extremely brittle. this particular one is broken, as is the one installed on my car. Be very careful. I believe I have mine secured with bailing wire. (for real.)

 

[AmpTrooper]

Thanks a lot for checking that out for me! That is really cool of you!
I'll take a loot at mine tomorrow and see what it is and if it is the motor or something then yeah, maybe I could get that one off ya and replace it on mine. Really want everything to be in good working order on this car.
Thanks again!

 

[tixer]

No problem at all. When I replaced the dash top many years ago, somebody was selling the "entire dash" at auction. The price was right, so even though many of the parts didn't fit, I just threw 'em in boxes for the future. I could also send you all of the dash trim, if you wanted to go "walnut"

 

[AmpTrooper]

Sorry, the door issue that I am having has taken importance over the clock right now. Really need my door working! I'll get pictures of the clock as soon as I can.
Thanks again for for offering that one! I may end up taking up on that!

 

[tixer]

No problem at all. I've been sitting on that thing for 10 years or so. I don't think it's going anywhere in the next few months.

I was just thinking about your door on my way into work this morning. If it weren't so darn cold up here (22 degrees, today.) I'd crack mine open and take some photos for you. I'm sure there's something in that door that needs to be fixed anyway.