Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Can anybody tell me how to remove the trip control stem for the odometer so that I can get the unit out of the dash? The sharp manual says, helpfully, to remove it, but nothing further. I think I see a tiny Allen screw on the shaft but it may be a rivet.

If I remember correctly you remove the rear bracket & cable & you can then pull the speed forward & rotate around the bottom edge. In other words you do not have to remove the odometer reset mechanism before removing it from the dash... just be gentle

I have tried that a lot but there is a rectangular fitting, to which the electrical wires run, attached to the back of the speedo which won't allow it to pivot forward enough to get out of the dash. It looks like that fitting is screwed to the back of the speedo and can't be removed while the speedo is in the dash.

Terry L wrote:I have tried that a lot but there is a rectangular fitting, to which the electrical wires run, attached to the back of the speedo which won't allow it to pivot forward enough to get out of the dash. It looks like that fitting is screwed to the back of the speedo and can't be removed while the speedo is in the dash.

That's probably the voltage regulator - it attaches with just one screw... go ahead & remove it.

Great picture. Not much room back there for a screwdriver but I'll give it a try. Thanks.

BTW, I have 1972 Sprint 0230 K, so a close relation to yours.

Terry L wrote:BTW, I have 1972 Sprint 0230 K, so a close relation to yours.

Terry pm sent!!

I recently removed my speedometer from the dash (doing a wholesale replacement of dash and rewiring). I was not able to remove the speedo without using a fine punch to drive out the small roll pin on the odometer reset stalk. Bit tricky and you need a minuscule punch.

I had checked the archives here and the use of a punch was recommended. I couldn't manage it otherwise.

I finally got mine out by first undoing the bolt to the steering column, loosening the column at the lower clamp, and going in from the top to remove the voltage regulator from the back of the speedo. Next question - how do you remove the pull switch for the headlight vacuum unit?

Spring loaded pin in the knob...

John

John took you through the first step of removing the knob (there is a small screw as well....)

Now there is a threaded ring under the knob clamping the switch to the dash:


You can either buy a special tool like this:

Or be careful with a small screwdriver & gradually rotate the ring...

Got it! Thanks all. That spring loaded pin was invisible to me until you pointed it out. Th slotted nut is the same as the choke and heater cable holes so maybe I'll look for a tool for reassembly.

I made one from a scrap piece of pipe.




lotus-electrical-f38/behind-the-dash-plus-t29181.html#p193548

I made mine from an old box-spanner...

John

I made mine from a piece of tubing, care of my old university physics department workshop ... Lots of useful toys there.. Lathes, millers, bead blasters etc.. It has a slot down one side so you don't have to remove the inner (choke, heater) cable all the way

Watch out the pin can fall out if you are not careful...
Good time to replace the old thermal regulator with a modern solid state one. I gather you just need a 10v regulator. You can buy ones fitted to old cases if you want to keep the 'period' look.

Carl