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Tach is reading zero

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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 10:29 PM
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Default Tach is reading zero

We have rebuilt a 1976, 350 auto, all new wiring and distributor. We have not driven it yet, still trying to sort all the kinks out in the shop first. When it idles we are not getting a tach reading. It just stays on zero. We have brand new wiring and distributor. Any suggestions?
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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 10:50 PM
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If you're sure you don't have a cable drive tach, then I would start with the fuses.

After that, I would suspect a ground for the tach circuit, and after that I would suspect the circuit itself.
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Old Jul 6, 2008 | 11:11 PM
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My 76' does the exact same thing only mine is stuck on like 15 hundred RPMS....When you start it does not move and when you step on it does not move....
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by 1976STINGRAY13669
My 76' does the exact same thing only mine is stuck on like 15 hundred RPMS....When you start it does not move and when you step on it does not move....
Mine too. I replaced the filter and no luck. The next thing is to drop the steering column and try to navigate behind the cluster for the circuit board. Its a $50 part but a major pain to install. There is zero room behind there to get your hand let alone tools.

Does anyone know an easy way?
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 09:40 AM
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No nothing moves when it's running or when we increase the trottle. I do notice that when I turn the key just so the power comes on and not the car, the tach goes up to the 5 rpm mark.
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 11:03 AM
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Oh, and what filter are you talking about??
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 11:13 AM
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Originally Posted by proangler13
Oh, and what filter are you talking about??
The radio noise filter that's located on the back of the intake manifold. here's a pic w/the filter circled. Try bypassing it and see if that helps.



As far as the tach itself, It is not unusual for the factory tach boards to go bad. There are a couple components that commonly go bad. However sometimes the chip on the board goes bad too, and that chip is now an obsolete part and no longer available. Replacement boards sometimes work, but often don't read correctly.

Are there any darkened/burnt spots on the printed circuit board itself? If so the board is probably repairable. The pic below shows a fellow forum members tach board before it was repaired.





It looks like a goner but ones that look like this are typically the ones that can be repaired.










If you want more info on possibly repairing it, please feel free to PM me.

Good Luck!

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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 12:43 PM
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Aceco is definitely the person to talk to on this one. He fixed the tach on my 79 about a year ago and its still working fine.
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 01:02 PM
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Well we don't have the filter, but we will check the circuit board. Thanks a lot for the pics and the help!
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by C3 4ME
Aceco is definitely the person to talk to on this one. He fixed the tach on my 79 about a year ago and its still working fine.
Glad to hear it's still working fine.

And thanks for the vote of confidence. I appreciate it.

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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 01:59 PM
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they are electronic starting 1975.

If you suspect the noise filter.... you can temporarily bypass it as a test.

Last edited by Mike Mercury; Jul 8, 2008 at 12:23 PM.
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Old Jul 7, 2008 | 06:53 PM
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We don't have a noise filter. I just hope we didn't mess with any wires when we replaced the brake booster. For the record, is a pain in the ***.
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