Clocks Voltage?

[Custom Coffin Works]

So going over my 1970 Cadillacs dash, I noticed the clocks wire was disconnected, I hooked up a 12V source and the clock started spinning at warp speed. Is there a voltage resistor for the clock? I remember something like that before on my 67 Caprice.
Thanks

[BIGEVIL]

I read something in the repair manual for my 64 that the clock only takes an occasional surge of power to wind the spring in it, and then it winds down like a watch. Not sure on the 70. I gave my manuals to the guy that bought it.

[Custom Coffin Works]

That make since to me but I don't get why the plug that is right next to it, that fits perfectly, has a constant 12 volts...

[jlprigmore]

Maybe a plug for a courtesy light or cigarette lighter?

[Custom Coffin Works]

Maybe a plug for a courtesy light or cigarette lighter?

They are all hooked. up. The only thing not installed is a radio, but I have those wires identified. I just ordered a shop manual. I think I might jury rig a 1.5v battery to it just for giggles.

[Thirsty]

This question got my curiosity up, so I looked in my shop manual at the schematic diagram for the clock circuit. It looks like it is just fed from the same fuse as the cigarette lighter and other "body" stuff like courtesy lights, and is "hot" all the time, which makes sense, so it can re-charge the spring when the car is parked.

So, looking in the shop manual didn't really provide much of an answer as to how the thing actually works.

Here is a brief explanation as to how the "pulse" of 12V power re-charges the spring that I found doing a Google search:

http://groups.msn.com/196364CadillacCommunity/clockrepair.msnw

Why yours would run at warp-speed when connected to 12V still remains a mystery to me, as the clock itself is not actually electrically-driven, it is mechanically-driven (via the spring).

I'm amazed that yours still works at all, mine is deader than a stick.
Hope this helps some.
-thirsty-

[Custom Coffin Works]

I think with the points stuck to close it could cause this "warp speed" issue. I will take it out and give it a good blow...that just didn't seem right to say......thanks for the help. I ordered a shop manual for it now too..

[Morella]

Modify it!

I would replace it with a small digital clock, leaving room in a panel for a clk/ltr circuit breaker, thermometer, security starter button row, or maybe systems temp monitoring, with a selector. I'm a modifier, though, and the clock is a very good place for someone like me to start, since they rarely ever last very long, even if they're overhauled or NOS. A digital (LED/LCD) clock has no moving parts, and will last practically or literally forever. That, to me, is an improvement over a big hunk of unreliable moving parts surrounded by empty and precious dash space.

This is the dash I built, which has given me no trouble in the last four years, at least. The numbers dim when you turn the lights on, although I could have automated them for ambient light by grounding through photocells. I tore out that clock, which Chrysler called a "digital chronometer" in 1976, because it would flip-flap every now and then, making an annoying sound, but not always turning the numbers. It will be replaced with one of the aforementioned ideas, when I get around to it.