Bluefire compatibility with Blue Bird All American

[kromboy]

I'm eyeing this 2005 blue bird all american RE, it's got the right drivetrain I'm looking for but the one thing that worries me is that it's missing a tachometer.

It's just not there and has a plastic port behind in the gaping hole.
I'd have a 1300 mile drive back home and worry about not knowing the RPM so I'm considering getting a bluefire, it'd be an eventual purchase for me either way for me so here are my two questions.

1. Is it advisable to buy a bus that's missing a tachometer? It's at a school district right now and they say there's no mechanical issues with it. Appears to be in serviceable condition, so would you say that a missing tachometer is something you can brush off?

2. Anybody know what adapter I'd need for the bluefire device and/or if it's even compatible with Blue Birds? I'm guessing I need the 9-pin bluefire, then a black 6 pin to 9 pin adapter based on what I've read on the bluefire website but since I'd be flying in to grab the bus, I want to make sure I'm going in prepared.

Lastly, if you think I need to be talked out of this idea, please do. I'm all ears.

Edit: Also, if there's a simpler solution to the missing tachometer bit, I'd like to know. I'm trying to find replacement parts and can't really find much other than whole instrument clusters for hundred of dollars or I'll see a single gauge and it's still a few hundred bucks.

 

[fo4imtippin]

I'm eyeing this 2005 blue bird all american RE, it's got the right drivetrain I'm looking for but the one thing that worries me is that it's missing a tachometer.

It's just not there and has a plastic port behind in the gaping hole.
I'd have a 1300 mile drive back home and worry about not knowing the RPM so I'm considering getting a bluefire, it'd be an eventual purchase for me either way for me so here are my two questions.

1. Is it advisable to buy a bus that's missing a tachometer? It's at a school district right now and they say there's no mechanical issues with it. Appears to be in serviceable condition, so would you say that a missing tachometer is something you can brush off?

2. Anybody know what adapter I'd need for the bluefire device and/or if it's even compatible with Blue Birds? I'm guessing I need the 9-pin bluefire, then a black 6 pin to 9 pin adapter based on what I've read on the bluefire website but since I'd be flying in to grab the bus, I want to make sure I'm going in prepared.

Lastly, if you think I need to be talked out of this idea, please do. I'm all ears.

Edit: Also, if there's a simpler solution to the missing tachometer bit, I'd like to know. I'm trying to find replacement parts and can't really find much other than whole instrument clusters for hundred of dollars or I'll see a single gauge and it's still a few hundred bucks.

you likely wont need the adapter. I think bluebird put the 9pin port on that entire era. I did the same and brought the adapter when i flew in to pickup the bus.


I recommend a bluefire anyway if you weren't missing the TAC. if you pull a code, you wont be flying blind and cant just stop at autozone to scan it.


Also a cheap option is to just replace the odometer with a generic 85mm one. It should unscrew the tabs from the back and slide out. You might have to adapt the existing wires to the new plug though. Best not mess with the wires until your home.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/165047510017

 

[kromboy]

Ahh that's awesome, thanks for the info!

So it looks like I should be able to just get the 9-pin bluefire and take it with me.
I didn't realize that the gauges are "universal" so to speak, I guess it may need some wiring but I can do that myself at my leisure, just wanted to make sure I can get it back home in one piece.

 

[nikitis]

The bluefire just plugs in, hook up to your phone or tablet via bluetooth, and it will read RPM's from the ECM.

 

[Mat7783]

BlueFire app

I'm eyeing this 2005 blue bird all american RE, it's got the right drivetrain I'm looking for but the one thing that worries me is that it's missing a tachometer.

It's just not there and has a plastic port behind in the gaping hole.
I'd have a 1300 mile drive back home and worry about not knowing the RPM so I'm considering getting a bluefire, it'd be an eventual purchase for me either way for me so here are my two questions.

1. Is it advisable to buy a bus that's missing a tachometer? It's at a school district right now and they say there's no mechanical issues with it. Appears to be in serviceable condition, so would you say that a missing tachometer is something you can brush off?

2. Anybody know what adapter I'd need for the bluefire device and/or if it's even compatible with Blue Birds? I'm guessing I need the 9-pin bluefire, then a black 6 pin to 9 pin adapter based on what I've read on the bluefire website but since I'd be flying in to grab the bus, I want to make sure I'm going in prepared.

Lastly, if you think I need to be talked out of this idea, please do. I'm all ears.

Edit: Also, if there's a simpler solution to the missing tachometer bit, I'd like to know. I'm trying to find replacement parts and can't really find much other than whole instrument clusters for hundred of dollars or I'll see a single gauge and it's still a few hundred bucks.

I have a 2000 Thomas pusher that also had a non working tach.i used the BlueFire app and have a j1708 6pin data connector and it works great.if your connector is a 9 pin,then it’s probably
J1939.