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Old 08-06-2015, 12:30 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
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In mountains... tachometer not working!!!

Hi all
I am on a short trip out east in the mountians.
My tachometer was acting erradicaly going from zero to 3k and then not working for a couple hours. It then started working but now it is dead completely in the middle of mountains(lots of fun especially while towing a trailer).
Any suggestions on where to look to fix this? My bus is a 1998 bluebird with mechanical 8.3, with the analog dash.

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Old 08-06-2015, 12:34 PM   #2
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my temperature gauge does that. my father in law said it's the sending unit.
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Old 08-06-2015, 02:44 PM   #3
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No idea what type of tach you have but it will likely either be mechanical...or electronic. If mechanical, check the cable and fittings. They can work loose at either end. My old BB came loose behind the dash and was an easy fix once found. If electronic, you will have to talk to someone else who knows that system.

Best of luck.
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Old 08-06-2015, 03:07 PM   #4
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My tach did not work when I had a bad body relay, check for a poor ground on the relay. It is a big solenoid looking thing in your electrical door.
At least there is where I would start looking.
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Old 08-09-2015, 08:48 AM   #5
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ok i talked to BB they said check wire off alt can anyone send me a pic whatcwire thatvwld be
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Old 08-11-2015, 12:31 AM   #6
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Many alternators that I have experience have a terminal marked "W" on them, which is a pulse signal for the tach.

You should ensure your alternator is actually charging, because a symptom of no tach signal is a bad alternator.

It might just be the wiring harness or gauge though...



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ok i talked to BB they said check wire off alt can anyone send me a pic whatcwire thatvwld be
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Old 08-11-2015, 06:23 AM   #7
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Thanks Aaron
you were correct. I could not find wire issue before. However last night we were in crisis on the down side of mountain on US 30 about 15mije from breazewood in PA I was using brakes too much in concern of going off mountain at 0100. I had heated brakes and started losing the battle (no place tonpull off to use dirt tobslow down. All of sudden there wss a small shoulder. I prayed, and used what little brakes I had and pulled into dirt to help stop. Thank God it did. Anyway went back to engine to once again see if I cld find prblm. By Gods grace I did find a wire that was disc at a splice (had not been visible before) yhen a PA Trooper came buy and put his lights on behind us. Troopr did say othet trucks had crashed on the mnt before. Anyway fixed wire then tach worked then put the MD3060world tranny in 3rd went down mtn at 2300 with speed hlding slow. So 1 little wire can be a BIG issue.
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Old 08-11-2015, 12:51 PM   #8
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Wow, this is great info.

Glad you made it down the mountain.

Nat
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Old 08-11-2015, 04:15 PM   #9
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Old 08-12-2015, 12:20 PM   #10
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Wow, I'm glad you're ok. You have to be extra careful with big drum brakes as you have well experienced. On big downhill grades I try to use areas to check brakes and heat with a non contact thermometer sometimes.

A good rule of thumb for grades: pay attention to the grade and it's steepness when climbing, and note the speed and gear you are in.

When descending the similar grade, a safe rule of thumb is to try and be at the same speed and gear on descent. Use a snubbing technique to keep your speed under control, and never "ride" your brakes.
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Old 08-12-2015, 12:22 PM   #11
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Take a look at this website and I encourage you to read through it.

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Old 08-12-2015, 10:04 PM   #12
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I was not staying on brakes i had done everything u suggested. The problem was no tach couldnt tr ell when to snub due to rpm. Didnt wantvto toast engine and have no nraking. Yes God protected us
thanks
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Old 08-13-2015, 01:14 AM   #13
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Yep, that's a tough one. Waiting for the tinkle of valves floating is waiting a little too long.


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I was not staying on brakes i had done everything u suggested. The problem was no tach couldnt tr ell when to snub due to rpm. Didnt wantvto toast engine and have no nraking. Yes God protected us
thanks
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