The_Remora

Hello, need some advice on whether this 5-speed tachometer will fit in my '87 S4. I just bought it on ebay, the price was good so I pulled the trigger. The add stated '928 S4 5-Speed Tachometer' but in the more detailed info it stated it was from an '81... Not sure why the discrepancy but I need one in a hurry and the price was right, and know that the 928 gauges were similar through '88 so figured good chance it would fit either way. So, will this fit? Plug and play? Obviously biggest concern is that it not only fit but that the revs read accurately.
Two pics from the ebay ad:


If it does not fit I will put it up for sale here for same price I got it for.
This is part of a guage cluster resto that I'm doing in the next week or so. I'll post up some pics when its done.

Z

The signal that an '87 tach gets is different than the signal that an '81 tach gets. That tach would read half your actual engine RPM if put into your '87 as it is.

The_Remora

Hi Z, thanks. Any way to tell by looking at it if its really an '81 tach and not a later s4 tach? Since the ad stated different years I thought maybe it was a typo on the sellers part.

If this won't work, which it sounds like it won't:
1) anyone want to buy a tach for an early car?
2) anyone got a tach for a 5-speed s4 that they are willing to sell?

Thanks,
Chris

Z

I don't know if you'd find a part number on it or not. You may find a printed date of when it was manufactured on the back though. I've seen the manufacture date stamped in a format like 11.81 meaning the 11th month of 1981. Some parts will have a small circle that has twelve numbers around the perimeter and a two digit number in the center of those twelve numbers. There will be a dot, arrow, or some other indication designating which of the twelve numbers is the month, and the two digit number in the center is the year. That type of manufacture date indication seems to usually be molded into plastic parts. The printed type may be on plastic or something like a circuit board.

If it is an '81 tach, it could probably be recalibrated. I don't know if it would physicaly fit as a direct replacement in your '87 cluster and circuit board though.

Lizard928

it will require that wires be changed to be able to get the signal to it. And as stated the revs will read incorrectly.

I however may be interested in it as my car reads double what they actually are.

PM me if you are interested in letting it go.

Jim bailey - 928 International

Correct the early tach reads all 8 cylinders the later only takes a signal from 4 of the 8 cylinders one coil. So the early tach in a late car is going to think the RPM is TWICE what it is ! VDO probably could recalibarate it but WHY ! Better to get the right part. The tachs have a birthdate printed on the metal backing plate in a modified triangle like 7 / 81 .....

PorKen

FYI: AFAIK, 85-88 can interchange instruments - the circuit foil is the same part number.

I installed a consumption gauge tach from a ROW S4 (eBay) into my S3. (The circuit foil is already wired for either the gauge or CASIS shift light.)


thread

The_Remora

Okay Colin, you've got dibs on this tach if it is indeed from an early car. I'll pm you when I get it. Unless the guy cancelled the sale based on my questions which he didn't answer, but I didn't really expect he would know the answer. I got a good deal on it ~$60 us shipped, I'd get it to you for the same price.

The_Remora

So Jim, do you know if you have an 85-88 5-speed tach there? Didn't see one listed on your website last I looked.

Jim bailey - 928 International

Part # U928 641 965 15 87-88 5spd tach normaly $100 .... super duper 1/2 price sale $50 .... I should have one in a cluster we have many clusters

The_Remora

Thanks Jim, I'll give you a call real soon

The_Remora

I just called a bit ago and placed a quick order for a used tach to fit my car, I think it was Tom who I spoke to. Jim, if you can see the order in the computer, could you make sure its down as a 5-speed and not an auto tach? I was in a hurry so not sure if I made that clear. Thanks