Replacing factory tach

[Mustang5L5]

My tach has been on the fritz. It's like the needle sticks. I've run the gauge diagnostics and when it sweeps the gauges the tach needle hesitates or sticks. When i put the digital tach on, the RPM's read correctly. I've been having to drive with the digi-tach on because the needle is unreliable. When i go WOT, it tends to stop around 4500 and i have to guess when redline comes.


Needless to say i want to fix it. Anyone ever replace the actual tach?

 

[hotmustang331]

Sounds like a bad stepper motor or the gears. I dont know of any fix....never heard of anyone actually messing the these clusters indepth. Most will just replace the unit if it has problems.

 

[Mustang5L5]

What a PITA. I don't really want to mess with the cluster since i don't want to explain why i had to change clusters on a car i am trying to sell.

But then again..not having a working tach sucks too. It doesn't bother me at all because i've driven the car every day for the past 5 years and can tell what RPM i am at just by feel....but someone who will buy it from me won't be able to do that.

 

[twogts4us]

Do you have gauge overlays? Are you sure the needle is not getting caught up on something? Sometimes the gauge overlays can bubble or just not be seated completely flat and cause the needle(s) to catch on it. The needles for the gauges nearly float effortlessly, so it wouldn't take much to snag a needle.
I'd start by pulling the cluster and popping then reseating the needle. Best tool to remove the needle is a kitchen fork. Be gentle. Then reseat it (using the diagnostics to help you get the needle pointing properly). It takes about 20 mins to get the cluster out, 10 mins to fix and 15 to put it back in. It's certainly worth a try before replacing anything.