My Tach is Dying

The tachometer in my 92 G20 is dying. The needles drops dead intermittently and usually within the first 15 minutes of driving. After a while it settles down and acts normal. I've check all the wiring to the tach: 12v Ignition, ECU signal and ground but I can't find anything loose/broken. When I head for the junkyard, my question is: Do I get a used instrument cluster or an ECU to solve this problem?

:confused:

Originally posted by G202Go
The tachometer in my 92 G20 is dying. The needles drops dead intermittently and usually within the first 15 minutes of driving. After a while it settles down and acts normal. I've check all the wiring to the tach: 12v Ignition, ECU signal and ground but I can't find anything loose/broken. When I head for the junkyard, my question is: Do I get a used instrument cluster or an ECU to solve this problem?

:confused:

I had the very same problem with my first gen Scirocco. I pulled the dash apart and couldn't find any problems. As I was putting it back together I noticed a loose nut and tightened it down "just because." That took care of it. I would guess you have a loose connection somewhere. You might want to make sure all the screws that hold the printed circuit board are tight.

I am having the same problem...if u find the solution let me know...

Aloha from Honolulu:

I just bought a '92 G20 and love it. Hope it is trouble-free, as I just dumped a '93 VW Passat that was giving me headaches.

One minor problem on my G20 is the tach.

It does the opposite of what is happening to G202GO reprots. My tach's needle will suddenly jump way up, to the 5000 or 6000 RPM level.

Then it will drop back down suddenly. Or not. It sometimes "sticks" at the high level, even though the engine is revving around 2500 to 3500 rpm.

I assume that if the tach itself is bad, it is a lot of work to remove it? Any chance it could be a connector? Any suggestions as to places to check before pulling out the dash?

Mahalo! (thanks in Hawaiian)

Terry

It's worth taking the instrument cluster out and reseating the connectors. Your 96 should be easier than my 92 because I have to deal with the speedometer cable. I found it easier to remove the steering wheel first because it makes everything easier to reach. I've had mine out 3 times now just to do continuity checks on wires and to tighten screws but I still have a problem. I might just head to a junk yard soon and get a another instrument cluster. Don't forget to disconnect the battery before you start taking things apart.

:) After taking my instrument cluster in and out several times, checking wires, reseating connectors, tightening screws, I finally broke down and bought a used instrument cluster for my 92 from a junkyard. $75. I swapped out the speedometer to retain my original mileage. My tach works great now. I don't knoqw what caused my original to die but I'm back in business now. :)