Noisy Veglia clock - Unplug or replace?

[dassub]

I'm finally starting to get tired of hearing the noisy broken Veglia clock. The gears constantly get stuck and start making loud mechanical or grinding noises, depending on the day - even when parked.

Opinions and electrical questions.

Auto Ricambi sells a replacement, but it's a replica. It looks okay, but is black and white instead of having the OEM look with the Veglia logo and the orange second hand. Anyone use this or recommend it?

My preference: Unplugging the Veglia clock. I like the look, and don't care about the function. I just want the noise to stop. Weird question but is there any reliance on the power connector being plugged into the clock? I would hate to unplug it and then realize there's a quirkiness or dependence on it elsewhere in the car's electrical system.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Weird question but is there any reliance on the power connector being plugged into the clock? I would hate to unplug it and then realize there's a quirkiness or dependence on it elsewhere in the car's electrical system.

The power for the clock movement is just a single dedicated connector between two red/black wires. You can unplug it without affecting anything else. There is a three wire connector (positive, ground, clock dial light power) closer to the clock, but unplugging it would leave you without a dial light for the clock. Might look odd at night.

As for the clock itself, one or two of the internal gears were cheap plastic that almost always break. Many of us have handfuls of clocks with broken gears. If you put up a Wanted ad, you might find someone with an original working clock.

-Bryan

[dassub]

Weird question but is there any reliance on the power connector being plugged into the clock? I would hate to unplug it and then realize there's a quirkiness or dependence on it elsewhere in the car's electrical system.

The power for the clock movement is just a single dedicated connector between two red/black wires. You can unplug it without affecting anything else. There is a three wire connector (positive, ground, clock dial light power) closer to the clock, but unplugging it would leave you without a dial light for the clock. Might look odd at night.

As for the clock itself, one or two of the internal gears were cheap plastic that almost always break. Many of us have handfuls of clocks with broken gears. If you put up a Wanted ad, you might find someone with an original working clock.

-Bryan

I've been stuck at the office so I only got a chance to take a look tonight.
I saw this: https://imgur.com/jNwBmdC
That's actually a screen shot of a YouTube video, but it's the exact same wiring setup that I saw from below.

There's black, red, and what looks like the bulb. It's also a pretty tight fit to reach out from below, but it looks like the cluster trim is only held in by 4 screws from the front.

[Barjavel]

I replaced my clock with a voltmeter from AR. It looks great and is far more functional. Rewiring is pretty easy; you just need to run a wire to a keyed power source, I used something behind the center console.