Jump to content

How does the tachometer work?


Recommended Posts

Right I've just bought a mk1 GT and the tacho doesn't read properly. When it idles it's a few hundred rpm low and it doesn't seem to read anything over about 3k if I remember rightly... I managed to get a little video the other day.

th_20140616_142118_zpsn2qeezfb.jpg

Someone has already told me that they had the same problem and they ended up replacing the clocks. So assuming that it was a problem with the clocks I've taken them apart... There were a few signs that they had been opened before so there's a possibility that something been damaged or someone else might have just tried to fix it too in the past. The big plug closest to the tacho that goes on the back of the clocks has the clip broken off but it still sits inside the slot nice and tight so I don't think that's an issue. The rest of the clocks work fine too.

Missing screw
20140617_213229_zps81606c70.jpg

Broken clip
20140617_221318_zps844cf784.jpg

I eventually got the tach unit out but to be honest I can't see anything wrong with it? Electronics aren't my strong point but there is no darkened area or parts that look damaged or burnt out.

20140617_222041_zps8efe8eda.jpg

The bottom board in this photo is the tachometer part. The other cluster of boards is all for the boost gauge display.

20140617_222100_zps52804b19.jpg

20140617_222114_zpse2c8a2f6.jpg

Anyone got any ideas what it might be to do with the clocks? If not I can only guess it's a problem else where on the car? But to be completely honest I have no idea how the tacho works lol!

ANY help appreciated guys.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah it revs to the limiter (Now I've fixed a million problems it came with lol)... Yes in the video it was popping and banging because someone had retarded the timing at some point. I've put it back to normal now (roughly, going to check with a timing light soon) but it's still the same...


Link to post
Share on other sites

holly molly u definitely went diggin deeper than i went lol.... i couldnt be bothered and bought new clocks as the scrapers had it for 10 pounds

Haha :p. It's annoying me not knowing what's wrong. I'd rather strip down to see if I can fix it before replacing it but I think I'm going to end up replacing the tacho if it's a problem with the clocks. Hopefully most toyota from 90s era will use the same tacho as mk1 gts don't really pop up often lol.

It's a variable voltage it gets I think it's goes to the ecu first not too sure on that tho

Yeah its pins 8 & 9 on the 26pin connector.

Cheers guys. Going to test with a multimeter later or temp wire in an external tacho to see if that works or not. Edited by aaddzz123
Link to post
Share on other sites

If u get a meter on voltage... earth the earth probe. and put the positive probe on the RPM signal wire...



You should see the voltage sweep/change as you rev the car?



Best bet is to get some mk2/3 clocks butcher them and YOINK the tacho element and hope and pray its the same!


Link to post
Share on other sites

Rpm signal comes from the igniter pack. Just reads the pulses off the negative side of the coil. The little connector on the side of the diag plug is the under bonnet rpm pick up. Not sure how the actual gauge works. It has a spinny thing tho

Link to post
Share on other sites

Rpm signal comes from the igniter pack. Just reads the pulses off the negative side of the coil. The little connector on the side of the diag plug is the under bonnet rpm pick up. Not sure how the actual gauge works. It has a spinny thing tho

Sorry dude I kinda get what you mean but can you just pin point on here where the RPM wire is please. Might have to zoom in... Or just explain a little better. Not sure if you mean a wire on the big connector or..... or I'm just not sure lol!

20140614_133652_zpsbc8737fa.jpg

£50 + postage

I'm going to admit I'm a bit too tight to spend £50 on clocks for a working tacho haha.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...