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Eractic tach problem

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Old May 15, 2011 | 09:25 PM
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Default Eractic tach problem

When the tach on my '79 reachs about 4500 rpm it drops to zero and won't work at all for a while, then it will start working again. Sometimes I'm postive that it is not accurate. At idle which is nomally set at 750 the tach shows anywhere from 200 to 500 and when I'm pushing it a little the tach shows 3500 to 4000 but the engine sounds like it turning 5000 to 5500. Any body have an idea why this is happening and how to correct it. Thanks
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Old May 15, 2011 | 10:49 PM
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Bypass the filter at the dist and see if that helps. If it doesnt ,go to the Willcox site in the help section for tach's.

edit- here you go,down at the bottom
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...tach&x=39&y=15

Last edited by ...Roger...; May 15, 2011 at 10:52 PM.
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 07:58 PM
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Default tach doesn't zero with engine off

Dumb question, guys! Ready? How come when I kill the engine on my '78, the tach doesn't fall to zero? Turn the key back on without starting the engine and it drops to zero, but then climbs back to 200 or so. Turn the key off right then and it stays at 200 or so. Not a home wrecker, but a curiosity at least. Thoughts? Thanks!
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 09:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Uncle Maddog
Dumb question, guys! Ready? How come when I kill the engine on my '78, the tach doesn't fall to zero? Turn the key back on without starting the engine and it drops to zero, but then climbs back to 200 or so. Turn the key off right then and it stays at 200 or so. Not a home wrecker, but a curiosity at least. Thoughts? Thanks!
This is normal... the tach stores the last input value until you turn the key back on. When you turn the key on the tach has power and ground but no input so it heads to zero.
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Old Sep 5, 2011 | 09:26 PM
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Originally Posted by BillyTz06
When the tach on my '79 reachs about 4500 rpm it drops to zero and won't work at all for a while, then it will start working again. Sometimes I'm postive that it is not accurate. At idle which is nomally set at 750 the tach shows anywhere from 200 to 500 and when I'm pushing it a little the tach shows 3500 to 4000 but the engine sounds like it turning 5000 to 5500. Any body have an idea why this is happening and how to correct it. Thanks
Billy.. Do as Roger said and bypass the filter. If the problem persist then the issue is the tach board. There are detailed instructions on how to remove the tach on our web site!

Here is the tach filter:


Here are instruction sheets and diagnostic pages that will help you!

http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...s=tach&x=0&y=0

At the bottom of the page you'll see "Repair help"... just select the topic and then click on supporting document.


Willcox
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Old Sep 6, 2011 | 07:32 AM
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Default erratic tach.............

Had the same problems with my 78 tach..had my vette man troubleshoot it and he said it needed to be rebuilt. He sent it out and had a new circuit board installed and had it calibrated, he reinstalled it and it works great.....a little pricey but when ya think about trying to do it all yourself and then not having any calibration tool to finish the rebuild..well you know how that story goes................
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Old Sep 6, 2011 | 10:40 AM
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Thanks, everybody!
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Old Sep 7, 2011 | 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by mk's78
Had the same problems with my 78 tach..had my vette man troubleshoot it and he said it needed to be rebuilt. He sent it out and had a new circuit board installed and had it calibrated, he reinstalled it and it works great.....a little pricey but when ya think about trying to do it all yourself and then not having any calibration tool to finish the rebuild..well you know how that story goes................
A little pricey??? He must have sent it else where..

We have a service offer till the end of this year:

If you purchase our board and mail in the tach.. we'll match calibrate it for 15.00 provided you pay the return shipping! The board is 58.00 so that makes the total 73.00 plus shipping.



Willcox
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Old Sep 8, 2011 | 07:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Willcox Corvette
A little pricey??? He must have sent it else where..

We have a service offer till the end of this year:

If you purchase our board and mail in the tach.. we'll match calibrate it for 15.00 provided you pay the return shipping! The board is 58.00 so that makes the total 73.00 plus shipping.



Willcox
He did indeed....and it cost much more than your special....but for a vette owner that is not very mechanically inclined...it was worth it for me............

But thanks for your input....perhaps I'll think about you for a turn around repair part that I am sure I can get off and on without taking the vette apart.

Thanks,

mk's78
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