New Import - Converting Speedometer to Miles

[digitalgypsy]

Hey Bongo friends,

My new Bongo has just been imported and is in the hands of Hallen Import Specialists. I have to change the speedometer to read in miles in order to UK register the vehicle. On the price list, here's Hallen's description for the work:

- Remove instrument cluster from vehicle, install speedometer conversion chip.
- Calibrate speedometer head and reprogram unit as required.

I asked them if it's possible to keep the odometer reading in kilometres and they said no, everything is changed to mileage. This bugs me a bit as I wanted the odometer reading to be as genuine as possible and have heard its best to keep it in kilometres.

Can anyone suggest what I can do? Or request of them perhaps. Alternatively, if you think I'm fussing about nothing then maybe I'll just have it converted to miles. Thanks for any input as always

Steve

[BongoBongo123]

Hey Bongo friends,

My new Bongo has just been imported and is in the hands of Hallen Import Specialists. I have to change the speedometer to read in miles in order to UK register the vehicle. On the price list, here's Hallen's description for the work:

- Remove instrument cluster from vehicle, install speedometer conversion chip.
- Calibrate speedometer head and reprogram unit as required.

I asked them if it's possible to keep the odometer reading in kilometres and they said no, everything is changed to mileage. This bugs me a bit as I wanted the odometer reading to be as genuine as possible and have heard its best to keep it in kilometres.

Can anyone suggest what I can do? Or request of them perhaps. Alternatively, if you think I'm fussing about nothing then maybe I'll just have it converted to miles. Thanks for any input as always

Steve

Ours reads MPH but remains KM's on the odometer so someone might still be converting them that way. hopefully the more informed will appear soon.

[Simon Jones]

This bit sounds like they are trying to blind you with science "Calibrate speedometer head and reprogram unit as required". The conversion chip is just a small module which is not adjustable so I'm not sure what recalibration they are referring to. The simple & cheaper solution is to change the speedo dial to one that show the MPH equivalents & that way you will retain the odometer in Km. These are widely available for around about £10.

[BongoBongo123]

This bit sounds like they are trying to blind you with science "Calibrate speedometer head and reprogram unit as required". The conversion chip is just a small module which is not adjustable so I'm not sure what recalibration they are referring to. The simple & cheaper solution is to change the speedo dial to one that show the MPH equivalents & that way you will retain the odometer in Km. These are widely available for around about £10.

That is good advice right there and thinking about it very obvious.

[Simon Jones]

£15 for a black dial: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-BONGO-1 ... xy~dNRApjL

£10 for a white one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-BONGO-F ... YKnmqSre5w

[mikeWalsall]

Rather than a chip I think it's far better to fit a MPH face over the KPH one .. so the needle is MPH .. the Odo is still in Kilometers covered ..

Some chips either through bad wiring .. or missing out the wire to the gearbox Ecu can cause gear change problems .. plus the odo starts to add the miles covered onto the Kilometer already registered ..

You don't really need to get them to do it as any Bongo should be older than ten years now, so it only needs a simple / cheap UK MOT and the speedometer is not part of that ..

IF .. it is less than ten years old then yes that would be a problem for an IVA ..

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... scheme.pdf

But over ten years old .. as long as there is a rear fog light / illuminated on/off switch as been fitted ..then all other things are the same as any UK cars regular MOT ..

The only criteria is ... "The car will fail if a speedometer is not fitted, is incomplete, inoperative, has a dial glass broken/missing or cannot be illuminated".

[digitalgypsy]

I knew it!! Thanks all, really glad I asked now. Have told Hallen that I definitely don't want that extra stuff and just the MPH fascia instead. Also taking the Bongo down to Allan's Vehicle Services in Plymouth for any servicing, heard many good things. Thanks all

[Bob]

If you're heading from Bristol to Allan's I'd be gratefull if you would take something for him.

Thanks in advance.

[Northern Bongolow]

have a look at a speedo out of a pre digital mazda 626 it has on the lower edge GA5R printed near the odometer, this is a direct fit in the bongo and requires no speedo chip to read in mph.

maxheadroom has done the same with a mx6 head they are usually mid nineties in age.

http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... ad.#p84097

[Simon Jones]

Good point NB. This was a popular mod a few years back but doesn't seem to get mentioned much these days. I fitted one to my previous Bongo and all I had to do was twiddle the dials on the odometer to have the correct reading.

[Northern Bongolow]

ive had mine in for years and fitted a few for others, no problems, they do read about 4mph under which can be handy on standard wheels and tyres, ive fitted 215 70 15 winter tyres and that reads 1 mph under sat nag if this helps anyone.

[nth]

When I got my bongo it already had a speedo chip fitted, I found that the speedo needle used to flicker up an down erratically sometimes. I thought removing the speedo chip would also be a good excuse to get some plasma dials
I removed the chip & fitted the plasma dials well over a year ago now & the speedo has not given me a bit of bother since.

[Gefail]

When I got my bongo it already had a speedo chip fitted, I found that the speedo needle used to flicker up an down erratically sometimes. I thought removing the speedo chip would also be a good excuse to get some plasma dials
I removed the chip & fitted the plasma dials well over a year ago now & the speedo has not given me a bit of bother since.

Been toying with ditching the chip, and going plasma , just got to run it past the finance dept, I'm sure it'll be undetected under the radar.