When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Has anyone tried to replace the Tachometer Cable? My Tach stopped working and I unplugged the cable from the distributor. This is what it looks like: I looked under the dash and there is a metal plate that is in in the way of getting to the other end of the cable and releasing the clip. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thoughts?
Last edited by John Parodi; Nov 2, 2018 at 09:33 AM.
Reason: needed to correct some information
can you spin that end at all and se if the tach is moving? It maybe also the gears inside the dust are gone and need replacing. other way the cable needs to be replaced and you have to find a way to unclip it from the tach head. Sometimes a thin screwdriver to push the clip back. When installing you can usually just push it on. It is tight up there but can be done.
As I recall you can easily access the tach cable to unclip it and replace it by removing the dash pad. You also have to deal with the grommet at the firewall when you replace the cable and it helps to deal with that by coming in from the top. As recommended the best way to know if the issue is with the distributor tach drive or with the cable/ instrument head is to drive the cable with an electric drill and see if the needle moves smoothly. Failures of the tach drive in the distributor is a pretty common failure mode on C3's.
When I bought my '72 the tach did not because the distr had been replaced with an HEI with no hookup. To pull my cable, I had to take the HVAC duct piece off from under the dash, and snake my hand up and feel around for the cable. Finding it, I was able to push the clip while an assistant pulled on the cable. Lot's easier to install the new one, assistant pushed it thru the firewall while I felt and fed it to the tach.
Has anyone tried to replace the Tachometer Cable? My Tach stopped working and I unplugged the cable from the distributor. This is what it looks like: I looked under the dash and there is a metal plate that is in in the way of getting to the other end of the cable and releasing the clip. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thoughts?
Disconnect the battery !
Read the items listed/You may have to unscrew the dash and remove the two bolts on the steering column to open the dash up a bit more.
++ Read post 18 +++
1970 Tachometer Cable Replacement
