'79 Super Beetle speedometer problem

Hello Everyone,

I'm a newbie here, so bear with me. I have '79 Super Beetle convertible that looks and runs great -- except for one problem. On a recent trip of about 1,000 miles the speedometer needle started bouncing around and a horrific noise started coming from the front trunk compartment. I pulled over and traced the speedometer cable from the left front wheel hub to a where it attached small black box in the trunk. Then the cable exits the box and continues to the speedometer. I believe the noise is coming from this little black box but none of the books I have reference this box in speedometer cable replacement discussions. Has anyone seen this box before? What does it do?

Thanks,
Kenny

It's a counter box for the service light in the speedo. Usually it's the cable that makes noise, but the boxes can also. You can remove the clip & cap at the wheel & spin the cable with a drill (in reverse) to isolate the noise better. If it is the box they are difficult to find new. You can probably find one from a older Rabbit (A1) or Golf/Jetta (A2) that will work.

The speedo head can be disassembled and repaired. If you go to superbeetles.com they have a resoration corner link and step by step instructions with pictures. Clark