Roadworthy for a 164

[V AR 164]

Hey guys,

My 164 is headed in for roadworthy very soon and there are a few things I need to address:

1. Speedometer is not accurate
2. Air con does not work
3. Car starts in neutral (allowed?)

The speedo is out, when travelling at 100kmh it reads about 60kmh. It doesn't 'flicker' as it stays at a steady speed and going faster will make it read faster, but would be out by about 40kmh. Any ideas how to fix this?

The air con also does not work, I am not really bothered by this but does it need to work for a roadworthy? To dimist windows and such?

Also, apparently the car is not allowed to start in neutral? It does start in neutral and is probably like this from the factory but I heard it is not roadworthy if it does this?

Thanks, Andrew.

[stustustu123]

It sounds like your speedo sender might be malfunctioning. I've never had to interact with/swap the sender but I know it is driven off a plastic toothed gear in the differential.  If what you are seeing on your speedo is a percentage of what your actual speed is then I'd guess they sender is outputting a lower voltage to the speedo.  Have you tried swapping the sender off your spare car? Alternately try swapping the binnacle itself on the off chance there is an issue there.

I don't think those other points are anything you need to worry about. As long as you are able to demist the windscreen (and back window) when required you should be fine. And I think most (if not all) cars will start in neutral - the issue might be if you were able to start it whilst in gear (and even older manuals allow this).

Here is a thread from Alfa164Register that shows (a bit vaguely!) where it is located on the back of the transmission (might be fun getting access!):

http://alfaromeo164register.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=358

[four90s]

PITA to access. Best done on a hoist.

Can be done on the ground, but you need the car up very high.

Great car when everything comes together.

Steve
Adelaide

[agent86]

Hi Andrew,
                Just a thought but are you sure the speedo is not reading in miles per hour? Stranger things have happened if it is an older model like my Berlina,s or an import. If that is the case it is not a rwc issue nor is the a/c as long as the heater and fan work, same with starting in neutral or park. Good luck.!
Cheers
Agent 86

[V AR 164]

Thanks guys,

Yeah the speedo in the other 164 works fine and in mine the measurement is km/h, I am going to switch the binnacles a over tonight and see if that works. Hopefully it does.
Also battling an oil leak at the moment, I believe the sump gasket is shot so back to the mechanics again -_-

Also anyone know how to remove the binnacle? Apparently the bottom plastic shroud with the test and brightness controls are held in by clips and you can pull to remove it? Then there are two screws behind holding the unit in place. Can't seem to remove the lower shroud without breaking it 😕

Getting close though and very excited!

Thanks, Andrew.

[four90s]

Andrew,

Two little covers on the outer edges of the lower part; R/H one has the >km< sign on it and the left has the "Test" sign and the thing that shows the control under it is to adjust your instrument lights.

They pop out with a small screwdriver; disconnect the lamps and undo the phillips head screws. The whole bottom section then comes out; you need to disconnect the wiring to the buttons and the instrument light control.

Once all that's out, there are/should be a couple more screws on the bottom edge. Undo those and the cluster then tilts toward you from the bottom. There are flat horizontal pins on the top edge. You will need to disconnect all the plugs for the wiring (five? six?) and then it should come out.

Hope I haven't missed anything.

Cheers
Steve
Adelaide

[V AR 164]

Success!
Thanks Steve,
Speedo now works, swapped over the binacles and it now works perfectly!
So glad it wasn't the sender unit!

Going in for its roadworthy this Friday, wish me success!

Thanks guys, Andrew.

[stustustu123]

Good work, glad it was an easy fix!

[V AR 164]

Went to get the roadworthy done today 

Have a few things to sort out:
Outer tie rods need replacing
Steering rack rubber mounts need replacing
A few engine mounts need replacing.

Also the speedo (the one from the other car) this morning quit working, it flickered and then stopped all together. Purchased another binnacle today that works but is a bit out again, not as bad though. It's going to have to do, hopefully it passes.

Multiple other bits and pieces also need sorting...
Also the oil leak is coming from in between the gearbox and engine, however the guy said he'll let it go as it is very minor. Thank god because it would be thousands of dollars to fix.


Andrew.

[V AR 164]

Hey guys,

I need help asap. As mentioned the other speedometer stopped working which means I will need to get my original binnacle repaired.

I've tried it in my other car and it is out aswell, which means the sender unit is ok in my car. It is the binnacle itself.

So does anyone know who and where I can get it recallibrated?

Help is much appreciated,
Thanks, Andrew.

[pasey25]

Hey guys,

I need help asap. As mentioned the other speedometer stopped working which means I will need to get my original binnacle repaired.

I've tried it in my other car and it is out aswell, which means the sender unit is ok in my car. It is the binnacle itself.

So does anyone know who and where I can get it recallibrated?

Help is much appreciated,
Thanks, Andrew.

Andrew, this place is not far from me and I've heard it used by italian car enthusiasts (I haven't needed to do so yet though)

http://www.howardinstruments.com.au/

[V AR 164]

Thanks pasey,

I have already contacted them however they want $500 for the Callibration plus I need to give them the wiring loom and sender unit (don't know why)

I don't have the money and do not want to tear my car apart.

Any other suggestions?
I may just have to buy another binnacle.

Thanks, Andrew.

[Neil Choi]

Andrew,


I just noticed I have two 164 binnacle/speedo things sitting around, you can have them, for the princely price of, perhaps, a 6 pack or two of Johnnie Walker and dry.  Or a couple of bottles of good red, or you help me cut my nature strip etc.


Now the caveat is that I think they work, how well, I don't know.  They did come out of good working cars.


Neil

[V AR 164]

PM sent

[V AR 164]

Hey guys,

I'm still looking for a few parts for my 164.

- Front Drivers Side Lower Engine Mount
- Steering Rack Rubber Mounts

Can anyone be of any help? Of course I will pay for them.

Thanks, Andrew