Hi guys, I just picked up a '98 EX 2 door with about 261K on it. Runs great and all but the tach does some goofy stuff. It doesnt work properly at all, right now its spun all the way around passed 8K pointing at about 6 o'clock. I've already gone back and spun it around back to zero, but the next time you start it it'll not move for a while or jump up, stop, and slowly creep up untll it stops at the 6 o'clock position again. What's my issue here, what do I need to test/check to see whats causing my issue and fix er? Thanks in advance

 

Sounds like it's broken to me.

 

What exactly? It seems like its getting some kinda signal from wherever, but its all wacked out.

 

The whole damn thing. Replace it.

 

So your saying ill need to get a new cluster? Lol, sorry.

 

Where did I say replace the cluster?

 

Well the "whole damn thing" can mean the cluster...or something behind it. Or the car

 

You were talking about the tach. I said replace the whole damn thing. I can't help what you want to infer.

 

Your best off checking for your rpm signal if good replace the cluster or go with an aftermarket tach

 

Where do i check for the signal?

 

Let me look for ya its been awhile since I've done that, its one of the wires coming out of the dizzy

 

Easiest way is there is a solid blue wire behind ur cluster that u can splice into,

 

Ok thanks, and i assume that also gives the signal to the tach itself right?

 

Yes the blue wire is the feed to the tach if there is no signal it can run deeper then expected

 

Ok thanks, ill check that out and come back with what I find.

 

So how did you fix it ?

 

it could be the dizzy

 

Haven't gotten to it yet it's currently at my uncles right now hopefully ill be able to check it out tomorrow.

 

lol my 2000 DX doesnt even have a tach . . . lucky

 

Ok so i just used the little test point with the trusty ole multimeter and it was saying about 700rpms at idle which of course is normal. So does this mean the signal coming from the distributor is fine and the problem lies in the tach itself?

 

jumping tachometer = dying ignition ignitor.

 

Even if it sends a normal signal to the test plug?

-A more detailed description of the problem now that I've been driving it: When just normally driving sometimes it seems to just stay down at zero. When cruising sometimes it'll catch my eye jumping up to 6k and then slowly moving up, or just staying there. When i shut the car off it goes back to the 6 o'clock position.

 

bump

Anyone? The test plug wire comes off of the same blue wire that goes to the tach right? So if the test plug is reading right, then it must be something in the tach itself right?

 

Replace the tachometer or cluster.

 

Finally found a used OEM tach unit on ebay, just installed and it works just as it should. Thanks everyone