tach - Taurus Car Club of America : Ford Taurus Forum

sheila · 11-30-2012, 10:00 PM

What's the most common cause for a non-working tach? Tach itself, faulty crankshaft position sensor (ckp) or something else? 99tec is running fine, but tach sits at 0. If you tap the cluster lens with your fingers or knuckles, needle will bounce up midway or so and work correctly for a few moments, then settle back down to 0.

Breeves002 · 11-30-2012, 10:11 PM

My guess is on the tach itself. Could just be loose wiring in the dash. If you can tap it I doubt it's an issue besides the tach itself. Just pull apart the cluster and reseat the tach in the cluster. PITA, but may fix it. If you have an extra tach around throw it in there... I've got one if you need it, give it to you free plus shipping (just the tach).

I feel like if it was a problem with the actual tach lead on the motor that it would be throwing a code since the PCM wouldn't be getting the correct data for engine speed, right?

04 SEL · 11-30-2012, 10:23 PM

No, the engine sends the speed to the tach. Wouldn't throw a code.

Bull Geek · 11-30-2012, 11:37 PM

Is the car in question a floor shift model? Do you have another floor shift model in the household?

I would do a quick swap of the cluster and see if the tach works with a different cluster. Isolate if wiring is the issue or the cluster. E-z to do on Gen 3 floor shifts. Pop out bezel, then remove 4 screws for IC...out comes the cluster.

Breeves002 · 12-01-2012, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04 SEL

No, the engine sends the speed to the tach. Wouldn't throw a code.

But it goes through the PCM according to this electrical diagram I'm looking at. Maybe it's wrong. This is for a 99'. I mean doesn't the PCM need to know the engine speed lol? Of course it does.

I can't find the dang diagram again. If you guys say it doesn't go to the PCM before the cluster I'll believe you!

Nick, I love how you say "E-Z" instead of "easy". It's just always made me chuckle.

Jeff K · 12-01-2012, 09:17 AM

IF the engine runs, it isnt a CKP problem, as tach gets its signal from CKP. G4 (at least later G4s) get this signal via the PCM as Sam said, but I am not 100% sure if the G3 is the same.

Could be as simple as a loose / corroded connector to the cluster. Happened a few years ago on my 88 Turbo Coupe (electronically driven speedo & odometer). Speedo / odometer quit one day. Pulled cluster and cleaned cluster connectors / contacts. Put it back together. Has worked fine ever since.

mjhpadi · 12-01-2012, 10:35 AM

As long as were on this subject, we have a similar problem in our 99 Sable. The tach may or may not operate...sometimes it seems to work fine, then other times it will show really high revs, or will show rpms as the car goes through shifting gears and as it upshifts to 3rd, the tach will die and show no rpms. Car runs fine just the tach is very "iffy" about working....any suggestions?

04 SEL · 12-01-2012, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breeves002

But it goes through the PCM according to this electrical diagram I'm looking at. Maybe it's wrong. This is for a 99'. I mean doesn't the PCM need to know the engine speed lol? Of course it does.

I can't find the dang diagram again. If you guys say it doesn't go to the PCM before the cluster I'll believe you!

Nick, I love how you say "E-Z" instead of "easy". It's just always made me chuckle.

Haha, um I don't remember how I came up with that answer last night, I was half asleep...Guess it sounded right or I wouldn't have posted it! I think my school of thought was that it wouldn't go through the PCM on earlier cars, but it would due to the Info Center on new cars because of ETM. I dunno.

Breeves002 · 12-01-2012, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 04 SEL

Haha, um I don't remember how I came up with that answer last night, I was half asleep...Guess it sounded right or I wouldn't have posted it! I think my school of thought was that it wouldn't go through the PCM on earlier cars, but it would due to the Info Center on new cars because of ETM. I dunno.

I see why you would think that. Anyone chime in on this? Does it go to the PCM then to the tach? Or does the CKP send a signal to the PCM and tach separately.

sheila · 12-01-2012, 07:04 PM

Mjhpadi, maybe our 99tecs' tachs are cursed, like their vss'. I'll pull the cluster tomorrow and check/clean connections, etc. If that fails, may grab a tach or entire cluster from the self service salvage yard.

11-30-2012, 10:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
sheila Crazy Devoted Member Member Number: 10865 Join Date: Dec 2006 Visit: My Garage Posts: 8,850 Trader Score: 1 reviews Rep Power: 21	tach What's the most common cause for a non-working tach? Tach itself, faulty crankshaft position sensor (ckp) or something else? 99tec is running fine, but tach sits at 0. If you tap the cluster lens with your fingers or knuckles, needle will bounce up midway or so and work correctly for a few moments, then settle back down to 0. Last edited by sheila; 11-30-2012 at 10:05 PM.

11-30-2012, 10:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
Breeves002 The Big Cheese Member Number: 49890 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: St. Louis, MO Chapter: Midwest Drives: 2008 Mercury Sable Premier Visit: My Garage Posts: 4,008 Trader Score: 6 reviews Rep Power: 10	My guess is on the tach itself. Could just be loose wiring in the dash. If you can tap it I doubt it's an issue besides the tach itself. Just pull apart the cluster and reseat the tach in the cluster. PITA, but may fix it. If you have an extra tach around throw it in there... I've got one if you need it, give it to you free plus shipping (just the tach). I feel like if it was a problem with the actual tach lead on the motor that it would be throwing a code since the PCM wouldn't be getting the correct data for engine speed, right? __________________ Sam 2008 Mercury Sable Premier 2012 Kia Soul Base AT 1.6GDI Moved On: 2000 Sable LS Premium Duratec View what I have for sale: HERE ENTER NOW FOR May's WAGON ONLY CAR OF THE MONTH!! *CLICK HERE* Last edited by Breeves002; 11-30-2012 at 10:14 PM.

11-30-2012, 10:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
04 SEL Taking Care of Business Member Number: 40467 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Western Massachusetts Chapter: Northeast Drives: 2004 SEL Duratec Visit: My Garage Posts: 1,588 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 10	No, the engine sends the speed to the tach. Wouldn't throw a code. __________________ Ben 2004 SEL, 60k miles, Vibrant White. 35% Tint, K&N Panel filter, Sylvania XtraVisions, Duralast CMAX, Remote Start, 4x Infinity Reference 6832cf, JVC KW-R800BT

11-30-2012, 11:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Bull Geek Technical Advisor Member Number: 1771 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Blythewood, SC 29016 Chapter: Southeast Drives: 87 GL Wagon, 97 SHO Sedan, 00 SEL Sedan Visit: My Garage Posts: 15,591 Trader Score: 6 reviews Rep Power: 10	Is the car in question a floor shift model? Do you have another floor shift model in the household? I would do a quick swap of the cluster and see if the tach works with a different cluster. Isolate if wiring is the issue or the cluster. E-z to do on Gen 3 floor shifts. Pop out bezel, then remove 4 screws for IC...out comes the cluster. __________________ --Nick M. \| Blythewood, SC \| AAP/Atlanta Built Bulls --Silver MC 2000 Ford Taurus SEL \| DOHC/AX4N \| 184K --Toreador Red MC 1997 Ford Taurus SHO \| DOHC/AX4N \| 149K --Wood paneled 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis LS Colony Park wagon \| OHV/AOD \| 180K ish? Sold.... --Driftwood MC 1987 Ford Taurus GL Wagon \| OHV/AXOD \| 254K Scrapped... --Sand Beige 1987 Ford Taurus GL \|197K \| OHV/AXOD

12-01-2012, 09:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
Jeff K Technical Advisor Member Number: 11378 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI Visit: My Garage Posts: 4,035 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 14	IF the engine runs, it isnt a CKP problem, as tach gets its signal from CKP. G4 (at least later G4s) get this signal via the PCM as Sam said, but I am not 100% sure if the G3 is the same. Could be as simple as a loose / corroded connector to the cluster. Happened a few years ago on my 88 Turbo Coupe (electronically driven speedo & odometer). Speedo / odometer quit one day. Pulled cluster and cleaned cluster connectors / contacts. Put it back together. Has worked fine ever since. __________________ 05 Taurus SEL Duratec - my daily driver 04 Taurus SES Duratec - wifes car 95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter car Toy #1 - 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner) - LOTS of mods Toy #2 - 88 Tbird Turbo Coupe - LOTS of mods 02 Pontiac Grand Prix GT 67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized

12-01-2012, 10:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
mjhpadi Senior Member Member Number: 43818 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Central Pennsylvania Chapter: Northeast Drives: 2010 Taurus SHO Visit: My Garage Posts: 893 Trader Score: 0 reviews Rep Power: 2	As long as were on this subject, we have a similar problem in our 99 Sable. The tach may or may not operate...sometimes it seems to work fine, then other times it will show really high revs, or will show rpms as the car goes through shifting gears and as it upshifts to 3rd, the tach will die and show no rpms. Car runs fine just the tach is very "iffy" about working....any suggestions? __________________ 2010 Ford Taurus SHO-Livernois 4+ Tune, Airaid CAI, Caliper Covers, Tinted Taillights, Tinted Headlights, LED Interior Lighting, LED Puddle Lamps and License Lights, SHO Hood Stripes, Rearranged Trunk Badging 2004 Ford Explorer Limited-Wife's Tow Vehicle 1999 Mercury Sable LS-Our "Beatermobile"

12-01-2012, 07:04 PM	#10 (permalink)
sheila Crazy Devoted Member Member Number: 10865 Join Date: Dec 2006 Visit: My Garage Posts: 8,850 Trader Score: 1 reviews Rep Power: 21	Mjhpadi, maybe our 99tecs' tachs are cursed, like their vss'. I'll pull the cluster tomorrow and check/clean connections, etc. If that fails, may grab a tach or entire cluster from the self service salvage yard. Last edited by sheila; 12-01-2012 at 07:06 PM.

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