Author Topic: Tach hookup? (Read 7077 times)

Infinitrium · « **on:** July 03, 2008, 03:07:13 pm »

So I have this instrument panel out of a 92 or older diesel Jetta that I got for free and I wanted to hook it up. I got my old instrument panel out but I didn't see a wire or connector for the tach connection. Would it be as simple as just putting the proper connector on the alternator and running a wire through the firewall and connecting it to the new instrument panel? I sure would like to get it to work, but if I can't I suppose I'll just sell it here.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #1 on:** July 03, 2008, 06:56:35 pm »

plug and play. It's already wired into the car assuming you have a mk2. Just install the cluster and make sure the alternator has the W terminal and you should be good to go, unless the wires have corroded

Infinitrium · « **Reply #2 on:** July 05, 2008, 05:28:37 pm »

Well, this instrument panel with the tach has a 2 prong connector off to the side of the speed cable connector that isn't on the instrument panel in my Golf. My alternator has the W port but nothing is connected to it. Should there be? If it wasn't for the difficulty of reconnecting the speed cable back on to the instrument panel I'd haul them out and try the tach again.

smoken u · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2008, 07:28:57 am »

that 2 prong connector is only for a voltage regulator I belive.
I ran mine for a week without it hooked up and it seemed to be fine all the guages ran normal.
My car had 2 w-terminals on the alternator and one didn't work, so I switched the noise suppressor and the tach signal wire and it seemed to work just fine.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2008, 12:09:43 pm »

If you're talking about a two-pronged connector right at the neck where the speedo cable mounts then you're likely referring to the Vss signal that would go to the factory cruise control, if equipped.

burn_your_money · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2008, 05:03:33 pm »

Quote from: "Vincent Waldon"

If you're talking about a two-pronged connector right at the neck where the speedo cable mounts then you're likely referring to the Vss signal that would go to the factory cruise control, if equipped.

Correct, it's not needed for the tach to work.

Look around at the alternator cables/wires, there should be one there for the tach. If not, follow the wires backwards, the exciter wire (blue) has a connection by the battery and the tach wire should be there as well in the same connecter

FWD.MOTION · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2008, 07:59:30 am »

isnt there a need for the signal convertor?

Isnt there a a/c current off the w terminal and the tach reads in D/C?
please inform

burn_your_money · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2008, 05:50:59 pm »

if you are using a stock alt and cluster you don't need any converters. That's already built in

FWD.MOTION · « **Reply #8 on:** August 02, 2008, 07:27:24 pm »

Ive just noticed that poster was talking about a mk2 cluster...

Would this build in convertor be on the mk1 diesel clusters as well?

what about mk1 gasser clusters? considering the tach hooked up to a spark coil

Jimmy Diesel Junior · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2008, 11:05:41 am »

Hi all. I have a '91 GTD golf and i tried to install a vw tacho but it doesn't work and i guess from reading this, i need to connect some wire to somewhere??? Can anyone please explain in simple terms, what colour wire should be sticking out the back of the alternator (If any) and if so, where do i connect it to?

? Cheers..Shane, Ooh and i'm in Ireland by the way

duffer · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2008, 03:02:21 pm »

Unless it's different in Europe, the tach
wire is RED/black (Red with black tracer)
and it's attached to the "W" terminal on
the alternator. At the tachometer end,
its a GREEN wire in the plug-in.

Jimmy Diesel Junior · « **Reply #11 on:** November 30, 2008, 01:40:58 am »

Hi all. So an i correct in saying that i need to splice into the plug that goes into my clocks and connect that back to my alternator (W-Terminal)

Thanks for help, really want to sort this today, Cheers..Shane