Resolved Tach signal in link but not at guage cluster

[Smilinjay]

Hey everybody, the title says it all. The tach on my 1990 tsi awd does not work, but when I have dsmlink open on my laptop it displays a normal tach signal. Is it safe to assume my issue is somewhere between the ecu and the tach itself?

 

[19Eclipse90]

Do you have the noise filter installed?

 

[Smilinjay]

Do you have the noise filter installed?

Yes i have the original coil pack with the noise filter

 

[19Eclipse90]

Have you checked continuity of the wiring from the cluster to the noise filter connector?

(That is to say, the signal splits at the noise filter to both the ECU and tachometer)

What's the reason you posted a WTB ad for a gauge cluster? Has the tachometer not been working for some time? Did you replace the cluster?

 

[Smilinjay]

Have you checked continuity of the wiring from the cluster to the noise filter connector?

(That is to say, the signal splits at the noise filter to both the ECU and tachometer)

What's the reason you posted a WTB ad for a gauge cluster? Has the tachometer not been working for some time? Did you replace the cluster?

No, I haven't checked that. For some reason I assumed the signal went to the ecu, and then to the cluster. Thanks, that makes sense and it'll be the next thing I look into.

I posted the wtb ad for the cluster because of the tach issue and a non functioning cel. (Turns out the previous owner removed the cel bulb in all of his wisdom). The tach has not worked since I got it running on the new setup. Worked perfect when the car was stock. But I figured I could get one cheap and it would help me trouble shoot.

 

[19Eclipse90]

What, exactly, is the "new" setup?

I apologize for the 20-questions but without knowing all the information, it's difficult to point one way or the other.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

You do realize that the capacitor on the coil pack is NOT the tach noise filter right? It is a separate item that bolts to the intake and has a connector for it usually under the intake. Just making sure you were not mistaking the coil pack capacitor for the filter.

 

[Smilinjay]

What, exactly, is the "new" setup?

I apologize for the 20-questions but without knowing all the information, it's difficult to point one way or the other.

1g 7 bolt head swap, arp studs, felpro head gasket, gates timing and bs belts, tdo6 20g, fmic, fic 1050's... And pretty much every supporting mod. Oh, and dsmlink v3 of course. And I swapped the 90' coil pack and noise filter onto the new intake mani obviously.

Well, im an idiot guys... 1990TSIAWDTALON you were right. I thought the noise filter was on the coilpack. Anyway, I took off the intake mani brace when swapped heads and I took the noise filter with it. I put it back on and grounded it to the intake and the tach works perfectly. Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

GREAT NEWS! Always glad to throw my thoughts out there and your not an idiot, wait until you see some of my posts when I try to start MY car! I'm glad it's fixed and always glad to help! Marty

I had a good gauge cluster and saw your ad to buy one, but I really needed my spare in case my mods to mine didn't work out, but luckily they did. Here is my modified gauge pack, sorry for the odd angle but I couldn't keep the reflection out of the picture straight on. Super glad you had an easy fix to yours!

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[Smilinjay]

I had a good gauge cluster and saw your ad to buy one, but I really needed my spare in case my mods to mine didn't work out, but luckily they did. Here is my modified gauge pack, sorry for the odd angle but I couldn't keep the reflection out of the picture straight on. Super glad you had an easy fix to yours!

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Looks good! Yea I came really close to buying a new cluster. Thankfully I found this fix first

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Thanks and now happy DSMing to you! We all try to help and pitch in with what we know and thankfully I knew that one since I am loaded with 90 model DSM's! Marty