Tachometer Quit Working: 1985 Catalina 30

[Steve Jefferies]

Tach has quit working and I'm trying to work out if the problem is wiring or the instrument. I did check the wire connections on the back of the tach and on the starter and they appeared good (previously a loose wire on the starter was a problem). Then - and this is the question - I ran a spare wire from the starter to the back of the tach thinking this would be a good way to see if the problem was somewhere in the original wire. Tach needle did move but still didn't work. Was this a good check to run the extra wire and does it mean the problem is the tach itself? I'm no electrician so please comment or offer solutions. Thanks. Steve

 

[jssailem]

Hi Steve. See you are in our Marina.. Welcome to the Forum.... Always good to meet a sailor from the marina.
Have you traced the wires from the tach? Not sure but I think you will find the tach takes it's rpm data from the alternator.
Check out this data link... http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=1852

 

[LeslieTroyer]

The tach wire goes to the ac or w terminal of the alternator not the starter.

Les

 

[jssailem]

Wow Les.. I got it right. Some of your wisdom about Catalina's may be rubbing off.