Hi I am new to this forum but I am pretty good with diesel engines. So Down to business. I bought a dsl1-d tach adapter and was wondering if any of you have installed one of these. Are they pretty accurate? and what would be a good tach to go with? I dont have much money and kinda want a 2 1/4 tach. I have an old sunpro supertach 2 I can use if its even compatible it adjusts to from 8 to 4 cylinders but its also a big 5 1/2 inch tach. Any sudgestions? Also looking for part resources and websites. Thank you much
I put a search engine on eBay for a "VW diesel tach."
Net result, a new in box $45-free shipping 2.5" tachometer 0-5000 rpm tach that runs off the "w" terminal.
Mounted at left dash speaker.
Installed and with multiple alternators, works perfect.
Wayne
This vdo reads directly off of the w terminal and is 2 1/4". Probably what I will go with since it will fit in my gauge pod and resemble the vdo boost gauge I have. Plus it is cheaper than the adapter and a seperate tach if you have nothing to begin with.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/vdo-333158/overview/
I installed the dakota digital unit and I had bought the a tach that could read w-terminal as well and didn't know it at the time. I liked the dakota unit better (easier to hook the wires up and didn't have to pull the tack if something is wrong, easier to adjust as well). I bought external digital tach to check it ($30.00 or so). Once set the dakota digital is set, it is very accurate, always comes back to idle exactly as I set it so I assume revs through the range are right. Speeds seem about correct with revs. I have a MK2 jetta with same gearing so rpms are very close to it.
the only problem I have (MK 3 alternator with w) is about 2500 rpm it will flick to full and back to correct rpm a couple times, very quickly. After about 2600 or so it stops and is stable as high as you want to go.