AutoMeter Tach Repair

Let's fix a AutoMeter Sport-Comp Tachometer.

[@johnrazor8720]

The extra mile. Improved the circuit with the resettable fuse. Nice job.

[@xjbobbin82]

I can't help but leave a small date & initials hidden inside of stuff like this upon reassembly. I'm admiring your work area and instruments, all kinds of super neat stuff to play with! Very nice work sir!

[@taylordiehl6594]

Good stuff Jeff. I wish I was 1/10th the troubleshooter you are, but I usually learn something new on every video.

[@flatbedtrucker]

I bought one on eBay a few years back and it didn’t work luckily I got a refund Awesome job man

[@vernonland5987]

You're a freaking magician.

[@omarfw79]

Great work. Thinking to send you all my electronics and have the circuitry improved

[@nenadmijailovic7786]

v tec just kicked in lol :)

[@brentnearhood8874]

Nice job! and Merry Christmas! Jeff

[@focusedelectronics]

Glad to see some new videos 😀 Awesome job as always sir!

[@alanarmstrong2323]

Hey forgot the audio for turbos spooling love your channel !!!

[@FixedUntilBroken]

very nice repair. I wouldn't have thought to do the fuse.

[@mike7958]

Awesome video Jeff!

[@dagooos]

You fixed it like nobody’s business

[@gabrielv.4358]

Nice! I wanted to see if I could take a big tachometer and make it smaller, but it seems I can't. The Circuit Board takes all the space inside of it.

[@rickchowsr2532]

Awesome job 👊🏼

[@SDS-1]

Nice fix

[@phooesnax]

Nice job!

[@robertevans6481]

10k plus rpms...wow.. Great fix....👍

[@scotthewitt6047]

Nice job with the fuse

[@zx8401ztv]

Smashing recovery :-D That speedo reminds me of when i was the electronics repairer in an auto factory. We had ancient speedo's that looked similar to the tacho you repaired. There were pins on the back for connection to the bus harness. The generator looked like a little metal bottle with a wide base, a keyed rod stuck out of the top and a nut around the rod held it in to the bus gearbox. The inside of the generator was a rotating magnet and a coil/cage assembly that fed two wires to a transistor and diode. Very basic, but it worked well. Inside the speedo there was a special ancient chip with jibberish numbers on it, if it died it was game over. Sorry long waffle jeff :-( Have a safe xmas.

[@jeffescortlx]

Geeze man I thought I was old lol.

[@P_RO_]

@@jeffescortlx Old is me, born when Speedos and Tachs were all mechanically driven, and British bikes and cars had Smith's Chronometric speedos. Those 'ticked' upward and downward like how a second hand on a wind-up clock moves, not a smooth movement but they were quite accurate at a steady speed. Building and repair took highly skilled specialists and there may not be anyone left alive with the skills to do it anymore. Electronic tachs were common when I began driving but electronic speedos were still a few years away. TBH it was only when I found your channel that I discovered the dial-type car speedo's weren't cable-driven anymore. Have a great Christmas Jeff!

[@zx8401ztv]

@@jeffescortlx Frightning isn't it lol. Im 54 so im likely to be older than you jeff, you young man he he :-D

[@zx8401ztv]

@@P_RO_ But there will always be someone older than you, young man lol.

[@jeffescortlx]

@@zx8401ztv ok so you are a little bit older than me, but not that much older.

[@user-ty9lh9ze1d]

Hi Jeff. Nice to see you back. Can we have more videos please. You use to post videos more often before. Thanks.

[@jeffescortlx]

More videos are on the way!

[@user-ty9lh9ze1d]

Great. Thanks again man.

[@SJshark90]

That vtec quote had me chuckling👍

[@miamispeedometer]

Nice troubleshooting Jeff. BTW What model function generator is that?

[@luisgeras72]

Hi Jeff thanks for the effort you always put on all of your videos, I have two questions for you. 1> where do you buy your electronics parts? (can you name a few providers?) and 2.- what kind of signal does the needle needs in order to work?

[@jeffescortlx]

Mouser, digi-key, element 14 UTsource, Amazon/ebay. A tach like this is looking for the signal just before the coil, coming out of the distributor. So 12v. A pulse for every spark plug fire.

[@xjbobbin82]

I know they can be adjusted to read 8,6, or 4 cylinder engines, but is it possible to modify this gauge to accurately translate a 1 cylinder, 1 coil signal from a distributorless coil-on-plug Ford v8? There is a tach signal adapter for the application that I plan to use, but someone insists that you can make it work without an adapter @@jeffescortlx

[@jeffescortlx]

​@@xjbobbin82 I have not tried myself, so I don't have any first hand experience trying this. But if somebody pulled the part number off of the chip that does the pulse calculating and looked up the data sheet on it, it might have an unused 1X count input.

[@Ghcotti71]

Nice work Jeff, is there anything you won't work on? lol. Didn't expect to see a tach in your line-up. I've been racing with that exact one for many years.

[@jeffescortlx]

If it has a circuit board, I'll probably work on it ( :

[@kiradite4321]

Hello , bro plz I'm trying to fix hyundai bus aero 2007 gauge , there are two eeprom, is it need flash or other thing , 3 gauges dont working fuel , oil and water, I need help

[@jeffescortlx]

Sorry I don't know anything about that model.

[@williamtimko1798]

Do you repair all types of tachometers, I have one that's from Jegs and for some reason it's not working. I sure would appreciate you taking a look at it and seeing if you can get it working because they will not warrant it

[@jeffescortlx]

While yes I will repair just about any kind of tachometer, the issue is it's usually not economical. My service charge is as much as just purchasing a new one. It's only economical for discontinued or collectible tachometers.

[@darrenleeson3771]

Hello I enjoyed your video, could I ask a question please about your bench power supply? I restore classic cars for a hobby and from time to time I really wish I had a stabilised power supply on my bench to check repairs and help fualt find...Could you suggest a power supply which would work best for me please......Many Thanks

[@jeffescortlx]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGqzYaZ8qNyDjKc

[@LSJUAN]

“Vtec kicked in” lmao

[@jeffescortlx]

I'd like to apologize there, I misspoke and should have said Vtec kicked in yo.

[@txrat]

Jeff, I have the same similar tachometer that isn’t responding RPM changes. Is this something you would be interested in repairing or at least looking at?

[@jeffescortlx]

I'm currently booked up at maximum capacity.

[@jdicky8054]

Your a badass...

[@laurentiu.panait2536]

Hello! I left my aftermarket tach's illumination hotwired to the battery and when I came to it, started the buggy, all the lights on it were coming on, but tbe needle wasn't doing the check, was not revving up, even the shift light stood lit up at idle. What could be the cause? I opened it up and found a rezistor or a tranzistor blown, those of circuit board type. How could I fix something like that?

[@jeffescortlx]

You'll have to replace the damaged components.

[@Heatsauce70506]

so cool

[@arinkuddy]

TVS diodes are usually only good for absorbing brief transients. If they absorb too much energy they will fail shorted usually. The PTC will have a slow response so idk if that will be that beneficial here. The TVS may die before the fuse breaks. I would have put a traditional surface mount fuse just to keep from blowing tracks if nothing else. Since the current draw is also very low you could use a low value resistor in place of the fuse, say 50Ω. Also the customer might want to check his battery cables for good connection, this could have caused the spike, load dump.

[@jeffescortlx]

I understand it's not a perfect solution. I typically have to work with what I have because customers want the stuff back ASAP.

[@true-moto-resto]

Hello, I have a non functional electronic Tachometer on my motorcycle (a 1986 Suzuki), is there a simple way for me to test that the tach is getting a signal, or if the Tacho itself is bad ? There are 3 wires to the tach: B/Y Pulse Signal , B/W Negative, B/O Positive. I've heard I can use a Multi meter to test it somehow (?). Thank you !

[@jeffescortlx]

The positive and ground will be straightforward to check for +12 volts. The pulse might be hard to catch depending on the multimeter you have.

[@true-moto-resto]

Cheers, yea the - + are ok I have vintage there the tach lights up, but needle is dead. I’ll try the Hz setting on the MM I guess

[@houseofno]

Is it true that oem tachometers are less accurate than aftermarket Autometer tachs?

[@jeffescortlx]

That's a blanket question that's too broad have an answer

[@davidcarwile3139]

Can you repair the back light on a Racepak dash

[@jeffescortlx]

I don't even know what a racepak is.

[@DVXCine]

@@jeffescortlx I'm pretty sure you can. IIRC it's all led in those. It's a stand alone cluster basically.

[@AutoVirals]

Hey, my sport comp II tachometer shows exactly half of the actual rpm. Can you help me fix it?

[@jeffescortlx]

Make sure it's set to the right cylinder count.

[@vanbellinghenbenoit7105]

@@jeffescortlx Hello ! At first, Tks for your videos ! I have the same problem . My tachometer also shows the alf of rpm. In my case, it was well working till past week…. When I bought it, the problem was present. I opened it and did not show anything special. I pull off all the « glue » overheating it with a « gun ». After this, I tried it and the problem was solved… Which problem coule it be ? Thanks u ! 😜

[@jeffescortlx]

@@vanbellinghenbenoit7105 sorry man I have no idea

[@charlesmecum5009]

Nice video was curious about sending signal into a component how a beginner wld know what wires are what

[@jeffescortlx]

Process of elimination. Red and black is power and ground. The wire that goes to the lamp is for back lighting and that leaves just one, signal.

[@lioneldominice7699]

Good day. I would like to ask, can you help me out how to figure which component in the tachometer is broken. The rpm isnt accurate anymore. Btw my tach is the same with you. Thanks

[@jeffescortlx]

Make sure the engine cylinder count is correct. If it's a V8 make sure it's set to v8.

[@lioneldominice7699]

@@jeffescortlx yeah, it set to 4 cylinder. The engine is 4age 20v. The reading in tachometer is different from the safc 2.

[@jeffescortlx]

@@lioneldominice7699 sorry I'm just not that familiar with this gauge. My only experience with it is what you see here.

[@horacerumpole6912]

what was the pistol grip tool you used at first?

[@jamesxavier641]

Desoldering gun

[@jeffescortlx]

@@jamesxavier641 correct. Hakko FR-300.

[@horacerumpole6912]

@@jeffescortlx OK thanks!

[@LL-do6kc]

Hey Jeff my name is Larry. I know this is a old video do you still do tach repairs

[@jeffescortlx]

Yes. But I'm completely booked out for this 4th of July week.

[@omarpatino4230]

What do you charge to fix these? I need mine fixed it was connected without a fuse I think.

[@jeffescortlx]

I'm sorry but I'm already booked out for the week.

[@omarpatino4230]

mine has been sitting for a while, like a year. It’s fine if it takes about a month

[@jeffescortlx]

@@omarpatino4230 ok. My contact information can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipCViKGAgtiNl7c

[@dustinflint8557]

I have a U.S. marine tachometer I just bought off ebay that doesn't work would you be willing to take a look at it for me? They are discontinued and impossible to find a new one

[@jeffescortlx]

Being that it's a marine gauge it might be built in a way that's sealed and glued to be watertight and non-serviceable. To get it open might be destructive.

[@dustinflint8557]

You may be right but it's already unusable as it is

[@troysultana5621]

Hey I have a autometer c2 tacho I’d love to get fixed mine has the same issue as this one in the video you posted Would love it to be fixed

[@troysultana5621]

How do I get one sent to you to get fixed mate ? @autometertachrepair ?

[@kyleprong395]

How much for this service? Great job

[@jeffescortlx]

It's probably not a economical option if your not a local.

[@Waldemarpacheco9]

Hi Jeff how could get in touch with you I have a 2004 Chevy Tahoe cluster I would like for you to rebuild for me please help me out

[@jeffescortlx]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipCViKGAgtiNl7c

[@GuzmanEugenio]

Can you fix my 2014 indian chief vintage cluster?

[@jeffescortlx]

I have no idea.

[@GuzmanEugenio]

Its a motorcycle cluster

[@jeffescortlx]

@@GuzmanEugenio I know, I just don't know if I can fix it.

[@GuzmanEugenio]

@@jeffescortlx thats ok mr. Jeff. Have a merry Christmas. Happy holidays.

[@GuzmanEugenio]

Mr jeff. Is it ok if i send you the indian cluster just so you can play with it and let us know all indian motorcycle drivers that there is someone who is willing to fix or at least take a look at them. Indian says there is no fix so you have to buy a new one, and the price for a new one is $390.00 and it goes back to 0 miles.😕 please let me know if you xan at least take a look at it.

[@4569badboy]

How do I locate you to do a tachometer repair for me?

[@jeffescortlx]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipCViKGAgtiNl7c

[@craphittingthefan2360]

If I shipped you a tach, you can fix it?

[@jeffescortlx]

Maybe

[@MrJw6900]

Would you fix my tach please 🙏

[@jeffescortlx]

Sure as long as you don't mind paying my service charge.

[@sinfulf4i]

awesome job as always. lol vtec

[@israelaquinojr6138]

Hi I have one that does the same thing can I get your address so you can fix it for me great job

[@JohnnyCab]

Nice fix