hi everyone
2004 crv ex, auto, 155k, all gauges work except the tachometer. It sometimes works but most of the time is stuck at 0. I did the gauge test and all gauges including the tach completed the sweep left to right and back. Tried moving wires on the back of the cluster, no help. My alternator was getting tired so i replaced it preventively and was hoping that might take care of it but it didnt.
Any suggestions? Where does the tach get its signal from? Could it be bad ground somewhere?

 

Do you have a scan tool? Drive the car and see if the speed is also dropping out at the ecu

 

How can i do that? My scanner is pretty basic, it reads cel, srs, abs readings and it has freeze frame data. Thanks!

 

plug it in and drive. Should show vehicle speed

 

Got it, just did little test drive.
So, with the scanner on, vehicle speed is same as it is on the speedometer, anotherwords its correct and does not drop out at the ecu.
Same goes for the rpms, scanner shows rpms approx where they should be.

 

when the cluster dropped out, the ecu still showed speed fine?

 

I had my scanner plugged while driving. My tach was stuck at zero and my speedo was working fine like it always does. Scanner was showing both, vehicle speed and rpms just where they should be. So this eliminates the ecu, right?

 

I would think it would be something downstream after ecu

 

So, I called my friend who drives the same car, wanted to switch clusters and bingo, that was the issue. Cluster from his car works just fine in mine and my cluster still has no rpms when installed in his car.
So, i need my cluster repaired. Does anyone have any suggestions, lots if companies popping up on initial search but wanted to see if anyone has any recommendations. Thanks and Happy New Year everyone!

 

tell your friend to start looking for a new cluster LOL

 

 

Most intermittent cluster problems are closed by failed solder joints. Honda gauge clusters are relatively easy to take apart, just be careful to not damage the pointers. The connections that fail most frequently are where they connect to the harness, but since you have an intermittent dial indicator, also reflow the pads to the motors.