Servicing the Lambda Counter

[DrWin]

Hi guys,

I'm sorry if this seems a VERY basic question, but I'm having trouble figuring it out myself...

I'm having a look at the lambda counter, in an effort to remove as much friction in the speedo drive system as possible.
Looks like this when I took it appart:

65832

Is it supposed to be halffilled with grease? If so, should I change the grease, and if so, to what?

[WHO1DMC]

It is common to eliminate the counter altogether and get a one peace shaft. Otherwise I think any common plastic gear grease should work.


Dave B.

[Jonathan]

Looks familiar... http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?6201-Grease-free-lambda-counter&p=89256&viewfull=1#post89256

[DMCMW Dave]

It is common to eliminate the counter altogether and get a one peace shaft. Otherwise I think any common plastic gear grease should work.


Dave B.

An unauthorized mod if you don't want to deal with the one-piece cable is to open up the box and remove all the inside parts except the shaft that goes thru it. That really cuts down on the friction but it still functions normally (for the speedo, not for the counter).

[Michael]

An unauthorized mod....

I want to talk to the guy who authorizes DeLorean mods.

[DMCMW Dave]

I want to talk to the guy who authorizes DeLorean mods.

Heh. I'm not even sure why I wrote it that way.

[pk2678]

I opened only one (my) lambda counter ten years ago. And I am quite sure that it already looked like this:

65837

No, or nearly no grease at all. Maybe someone else removed it before the car came to me?

[DrWin]

I got the lamda counter cleaned, regreased and reassembled. In the process I found out that it only opens the connection at 100% => 199%, that is between 30.000->59.999 miles. At 200% = 60.000 miles the connection closes again.

I also found out that there has been a melting or corosion going on inside mine. Have a look:

65856

Aaaaand then I found out that the wiring and/or the connector is busted. So now I'm looking for a replacement connector for the Lamda Counter, any suggestions?

It's this one:

65857

I hope someone can point to someone who stocks it.

[Jonathan]

Do yourself a favor and get this: https://www.deloreango.com/ca/one-piece-speedo-cable.html

The Lambda counter turns on a light on the dash when it hits 30,000 miles. And that's it. It was supposed to remind the owner that service was due. Now, 40 years after these cars were made, this is about the most useless feature still on the car. Why? Because no one drives their cars so often and so casually that they would just happen to get to 30,000 miles or way over and forget to do their maintenance. If you are able to put 30,000 miles on your car, you're already the type that is on top of the car's maintenance. And don't forget that it is driven by our craptacular angle drive/speedo contraption. If it isn't working then your lambda counter ain't counting. Trust me, get the one piece speedo cable, remove the counter and the bracket it is on (relocate your inertia switch if it isn't already) and don't think about it ever again. It's a waste of time and money.

[David T]

While Jonathan does a good job pointing out all of the practical reasons not to try to get the Lambda counter working, some owners just want everything to work the way it was supposed to. Nothing wrong with that. If you call the vendors you may find one of them has a used counter and a plug. Just be prepared for what it may cost!

[Helirich]

Reviving an old thread here.

DMC has the angledrives back in stock and I ordered their kit. The kit consists of the angle drive, dust cap and cable. Of course this is the cable that goes from the angle drive to the counter. It would be kind of nice to go one piece to the guage. The link that was posted to Deloreango doesn't work for me and I can't find it in a search of their site.

If I can't find one, I guess I'll try the "unauthorized" mod.

[dmcerik]

I have a used lambda for sale if you're interested. It came from a good condition car that was in an accident back in 2005 or so.

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?19120-Lambda-Service-Counter-(101606)-amp-mounting-bracket-(106767)

[82DMC12]

Anyone have a guide for taking the counter apart so it can be re-greased? My speed bounces a bit at low speed despite replacing the angle drive and the lower cable. I assume the problem is the lambda counter gears.

[Rich]

Remove it from the car.
Remove the screws to get the rectangular cap off and you're in.

See the link that's inserted at the end of the first post of this thread (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?8568).


Anyone have a guide for taking the counter apart so it can be re-greased? My speed bounces a bit at low speed despite replacing the angle drive and the lower cable. I assume the problem is the lambda counter gears.

[82DMC12]

Remove it from the car.
Remove the screws to get the rectangular cap off and you're in.

See the link that's inserted at the end of the first post of this thread (http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?8568).

Ah thanks. My Lambda light has never come on so I might just pull the guts out of it.