Clock just keeps changing the time

[David9732]

Hi People,

When I first bought this 1999 New Beetle used in 2004, the clock was constantly changing time (as if the minutes button was being held). This just magically fixed itself, then when we had a time change, it started doing this again after I changed the time. This magically fixed itself and I have been through two time changes and those went well. Fast forward to recent rain storms last month and my battery started giving me problems. It would be hard to start after not being used the weekend. The clock problems started again. I don't think it is water damage as the car has been through worse rain storms (last year) and no problems with the clock. I had hoped when I got the new battery installed this clock problem would go away. It has not.
Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this (short of buying / installing a new clock)? I have tried pushing buttons to change between 12/24 hour formats, tried to set the time, no luck, the clock just keeps running like the minute button is being pressed.
Thanks in advance for your replies.

[j.loicx]

your car has been sucked into a fast forwarding of time spiraling it downward into the future. i advise you to get this fixed as soon as possible as the value of your car is steadily decreasing with its accelerated age.

good luck, marty

[Smileybug]

My guess is there something screwy with the wiring.

[Herbie3Rivers]

I don't know what to tell ya. The clock in Elwood switched to military time years ago where it runs on a 24 loop rather than the typical 12/12.

[Duffy]

Changing between 12 hr and 24 hr mode: Ignition switch OFF, press and hold both H (hour) and M (minutes) buttons for longer than 3 seconds, new display mode appears.

[Duffy]

David9732: The cheapest way to fix your clock is to buy a mirror off eBay and replace the clock module or the entire mirror.

[MyOtherRidesAVette]

Originally Posted by j.loicx

your car has been sucked into a fast forwarding of time spiraling it downward into the future. i advise you to get this fixed as soon as possible as the value of your car is steadily decreasing with its accelerated age.

good luck, marty

I'm assuming this is a clock above the rear view mirror, mounted to the windshield header.

Quite simple diagnosis really. The button you push to change the minutes (or the one for the hours, for that matter) is actually a switch that creates momentary contact when pressed. A spring of some type (not necessarily the coil type) "pushes" it back out to the original position when you release the button. I can think of three reasons for the contact caused by the switch to continue. 1) the spring has weakened over time, 2) some type of trash has gotten between the edge of button and it's housing, 3) the two metal contacts have become corroded. I am sure you will find this is not a wiring issue outside the assembly and I assure you has nothing to do with the battery, other than when you changed it you had to reset the time, and pushed the button again.

Everytime you have had the problem start it was generated by your changing the time. That it didn't happen was just luck, and when it "fixed itself" it was the button simply popping back out from vibration. Once out, it will not "push" itself in, and the problem won't start again, without you pushing the button. You might try simply tapping on the housing to see if you can get it to "pop" back out.

For most, this is not going to be a DIY repair. The switch assembly is not designed to be a serviceable assembly. You should be able to find a used replacement on eBay for abt $30. The clock and mirror are all one assembly, you will have to search under "rearview mirror", it will be specific to NB or NBC, certain years, and color.

Hope this helps, good luck!

MORAV

[Beetlescott]

Originally Posted by Duffy

Changing between 12 hr and 24 hr mode: Ignition switch OFF, press and hold both H (hour) and M (minutes) buttons for longer than 3 seconds, new display mode appears.

Man do I feel like stupid. I looked it up in my manual, It either doesn't say "With the key off" or I missed it. I have been trying to get the time off military time for over a year! I was about to start a thread about it, when I gave it a shot. an IT WORKS! Thanks guys for your insight Duffy!

[David9732]

Thanks to MyOtherRidesAVette
and to Beetlescott for chiming in on the 12/24 hour changing. I never got an email for MyOtherRidesAVette's reply.

[Beetlescott]

Originally Posted by David9732

Thanks to MyOtherRidesAVette
and to Beetlescott for chiming in on the 12/24 hour changing. I never got an email for MyOtherRidesAVette's reply.

You are quite welcomed. I went out and tried it. Be sure to push and hold the hour and minute button. You will thing nothing is happening, but it will change it. Good luck

[Beetlescott]

Originally Posted by David9732

Thanks to MyOtherRidesAVette
and to Beetlescott for chiming in on the 12/24 hour changing. I never got an email for MyOtherRidesAVette's reply.

You are quite welcomed. I went out and tried it. Be sure to push and hold the hour and minute button. You will thing nothing is happening, but it will change it. Good luck