Tach, jumping why?

grewvin1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Messages
189
1987, merc. 5.7L twins, wellcraft Monte Carlo.
Would like to know typical reason why the tach's will jump and settle from time to time. Start up idle 1,000rpm for warm up and tach needle will jump to 3,000 or more then back and jump again. After warm up and slow idle out of slip to lake tachs again from time to time will jump and then when running say 3,000 rpm cruise they will stay true and fixed and work well till the next day and start up. Have cleaned many of the connections, looking for insight to the reason so over the winter plan to remove the inst. cluster and re-do and clean all wire connections to all gauges.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Tach, jumping why?

If the engine isn't missing when the tach jumps, it's probably a loose connection somewhere, or a defective tach.
 

grewvin1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Messages
189
Re: Tach, jumping why?

What is the round box with all the wires running from/to it connected to the engine syncro gauge? it is black near to 5" in diameter.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Tach, jumping why?

Have no clue. Post a picture of it.
 

edsmax

Cadet
Joined
Jul 2, 2012
Messages
14
Re: Tach, jumping why?

Remove the tach from the helm and spin the selector "wheel" in back a few times. The wheel I am referring to is used to select 8Cyl, 6cyl, etc etc. Once you see the back of the tach, you will know what I mean. This will clean some internal contacts inside the tach and usually remedies the jumping tach syndrome. Good luck.
 

grewvin1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Messages
189
Re: Tach, jumping why?

Know the dial you mean will give it a go thanks good thought.
 

grewvin1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 2, 2012
Messages
189
Re: Tach, jumping why?

syncro engine.jpg

herer is a copy of the item for the tach syncro. system
 

jumpjets

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 11, 2010
Messages
313
Re: Tach, jumping why?

My 1990 wellcraft used to do the EXACT same thing. I think the wellcraft tachs just go bad after a while. I tried cleaning and tightening connections, etc.... all with no avail.

I just installed a new tach, and the problem was solved. I used all the same wiring, and just screwed in the new tach.
 
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