Author Topic: 1981 Tachometer Quit working HELP 😡  (Read 1839 times)

In Relentless Pursuit

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 49
  • EAST BOUND & DOWN !!!
1981 Tachometer Quit working HELP 😡
« on: August 31, 2021, 05:37:54 PM »
The Tachometer quit working in my sons 81 Trans Am
..I cleaned all contacts plugged back in and nothing ..Pulled the tach wire from distributor turned key on used test night and no power cleaned those contacts and still nothing ..Anyone have any ideas? Thanks In Advance !
1980 Trans Am / T - Top / 400/ TH 350

Jack

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12453
  • 1971 Esprit TA Clone W72 1972 Formula 68 350 HO
Re: 1981 Tachometer Quit working HELP 😡
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2021, 06:41:45 PM »
The tach has a separate harness directly from the fuse box, I'm assuming you checked that connection as well.




Regards, Jack

In Relentless Pursuit

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 49
  • EAST BOUND & DOWN !!!
Re: 1981 Tachometer Quit working HELP 😡
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2021, 07:24:07 PM »
Just the harness on the back of the cluster cleaned those connections ..Didn’t Think about it running to the fuse box I will check that tomorrow..Thank You
« Last Edit: August 31, 2021, 09:35:24 PM by In Relentless Pursuit »
1980 Trans Am / T - Top / 400/ TH 350

Savage Larry

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 401
Re: 1981 Tachometer Quit working HELP 😡
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2021, 02:49:22 PM »
I have a small fuse inline with my tach wire on my '77 not sure if you have one but take a look in your engine compartment. That might be the problem
Jay
Calgary, AB
1977 4 speed W72

In Relentless Pursuit

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 49
  • EAST BOUND & DOWN !!!
Re: 1981 Tachometer Quit working HELP 😡
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2021, 09:43:51 PM »
I pulled the dash took a wire hooked it up to Tach on the distributor to Tach on back of cluster & took another wire ran it from batter to back
Of cluster to where it says batter ..Started up the car and Tach didn’t work , so would it be fair to say the Tach is no good?
1980 Trans Am / T - Top / 400/ TH 350

Re: 1981 Tachometer Quit working HELP 😡
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2021, 09:43:51 PM »

Jack

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 12453
  • 1971 Esprit TA Clone W72 1972 Formula 68 350 HO
Re: 1981 Tachometer Quit working HELP 😡
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2021, 05:43:33 AM »
One final thing to check is the ground, if I remember correctly the tach had it's own ground connection (but can't say for sure).




Regards, Jack

81Blackbird

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1364
Re: 1981 Tachometer Quit working HELP 😡
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2021, 12:14:06 PM »
Be sure the tach has a good ground.

firebirdparts

  • Jedi Council
  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19504
Re: 1981 Tachometer Quit working HELP 😡
« Reply #7 on: September 06, 2021, 02:04:24 PM »
They ground through the cluster, so do what can there.  My guess would be that it's bad, but i suppose it's hard to be sure.  I used to bench test them using a running vehicle.  Crude but effective enough for me.
I want to be like Paul Kenny when I grow up
Joe Bays
1977 Y82 4-speed (red interior)
1978 Skybird 350
1978 Redbird 305
1979 Redbird 301 4-speed
1992 Lincoln Mark VII LSC/SE (red)
1970 Datsun Pickup
1953 Chevy pickup (converted 4x4)
1988 T-bird Turbo Coupe

In Relentless Pursuit

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 49
  • EAST BOUND & DOWN !!!
Re: 1981 Tachometer Quit working HELP 😡
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2021, 10:22:25 PM »
I looked for about two hours for the ground never found it ..Then read that it was griund through the cluster …Guess I will start looking for a cluster or Tach ..Noticed my Oil gauge was pegged to the right also ..Might just be sending unit ?
1980 Trans Am / T - Top / 400/ TH 350

Re: 1981 Tachometer Quit working HELP 😡
« Reply #8 on: September 06, 2021, 10:22:25 PM »
You can help support TAC!