SeattlePorsche

Did some spirited driving today. Put in a bottle of Chevron fuel injector cleaner and seems to make a huge difference.

Then I took my car out again and the tachometer was dead. I have an 81SC. I got to my friends house 1 mile later, put it in reverse, and then the tach was working again. Anyone know what this means? I am thinking something is about to break/fail. Don't know if I should do something to head it off at the pass.

I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but I let my neighbor drive the car, and when we parked it, he accidentally turned the key the wrong direction to turn the car off. I heard a screech of the starter.

theiceman

If I rememebr the tach signal comes from the alternator, unless it is something mechanical in the tach the problem could be here or one of those infamous grounds. I would just wait, you can't fix it if it aint broke..

madvex

The tach in my 85 worked intermitantly for 2 years before is stopped completely - it worked more than not, so I was not too concerned. But, I bought the car that way and had it checked out immediately only to find no loose wires or other isssues - just the tach was on its way out. Finally it died and had to be replaced.

Used ones can be found for about $200 on ebay depending on year... new price is.. Ouch!

Maybe just a loose ground though.. have it checked.

SeattlePorsche

Loose ground. Huh. Looks like I am going electrical with my car now. Thanks for the advice all.

theiceman

James .. you need a buddy .... wouldn't it be great to have someone close by to swap parts with ??

arcsine

Check electrical grounds or possibly voltage regulator/alternator.

TC_SJ

I have the same problem and tighten the ground strap and full charge the battery, problem solve. If I leave the car in the garage too long and take out for a spin, some time I see the needle bouncing back and forth, after the batter fully charge, then it's OK again

SeattlePorsche

Thanks!