diesel tach

[twig]

i really like how i don't have to scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the diesel forum.

anyways, i'm looking for a diesel tach, preferably the entire display, rather than an add-on tach. anyone know price ranges or anything?

[Mr_Diesel]

You can call various junkyards and autopart's stores and ask for the turbo diesel instrument cluster... Most of them came with tachs.

[twig]

it won't matter mine's not a turbo? i have an a2

[Mr_Diesel]

The only difference in the turbo diesel clusters is that most of them came with tachmeters... Now remember, your alternator MUST have the "W" terminal. This is where the tach will recieve the data pulses. Since your's is not a turbo diesel, that doesnt make a difference.... Like I say, I reccomend the TD cluster because most came with diesel tachs installed where the clock is on the NA's.

[JaY_III]

I think its only 86-92 that have a tach.

As i remember a guy who i worked with... his girlfriends 85 had a big clock where the tach normally lives...
Plus i have also seen another 85 with the clock.....
I know the 86 Gas Jettas have a tach as buddy has one of them.

[Mr_Diesel]

gas tach and diesel tach are too wayyyy different things.... Your right about the 86-92 Turbo Diesels... Some ECOdiesel's didnt have tach's either.

[Anonymous]

Yeah i know Diesel and Gas tachs are way diff...
I was just trying to point out MK-II's didnt hvae tachs till the 2nd 1/2 of its generation...

Oh an what did ECO diesels have in place of a tach? Never been in a ECO before

[Mr_Diesel]

Most of them had tachs, but some of them had full size clocks in their place... Which is kinda cool, but very boring at the same time.

[twig]

that's very true. i mean, i'm a busy guy, and i like to know the time, but when i accidentally rev really high out of a stop because my music's so loud i can't hear my engine, i'd rather have the tach

[Mr_Diesel]

The ones with tachs had digital clocks.

[twig]

ooooh. that would look pretty

[Mr_Diesel]

The GLI I am buying today has a 7,000 rpm tach, redline at 6,400, and digital clock with multi function indicator

[twig]

would there be anything specific i would have to look for when i get the tach? like you were saying that it goes to 7000, redlines at 6400. it has a digiclock on it.
will mine be able to support or run those thing? or would i have to put in extra wiring and stuff?
and i also saw in my manual something about the mpg option or something. could i get that?

[Mr_Diesel]

The MPG thing uses a equation based upon current speed, current motor rpm, and mileage traveled with reguards to the engine it was programmed for... In my case the 1.8L 16V... So no, it wouldnt work for you... You need a Diesel tach that redlines at about 4,200-4,600... Plus you need a MARINE tach... The tach that came on the GLI is not a marine tach.

[twig]

well, it was worth asking. oh well.

[Mr_Diesel]

type "diesel tach" or "marine tach" on ebay... you'll find lots of aftermarket alternatives.

[Anonymous]

... Google for "TinyTach." It looks like a little digital clock. Only $65. I have one on my Cummins in my step van, and am going to get another for my '85 Jetta diesel.

Besides a tach, it's a running time meter, with maintenance intervals you can program. So it will tell you when it's time to change your oil and stuff.

[Mr_Diesel]

Hey dawg... Please register! It only takes a minute. Yeah, I was checking out your post, and that's amazing... Exactly what I am looking for! How much do they run?

[speedbump]

gas tach and diesel tach are too wayyyy different things.... Your right about the 86-92 Turbo Diesels... Some ECOdiesel's didnt have tach's either.

I remeber reading on the Vanagon listserv, a while back, of people who put gas tachs in to their Diesel Vanagons and with some simple Radio Shack parts, made them work. If I get the chance, I'll try to search for it.

[Mr_Diesel]

yeah... very in accurate too.

[speedbump]

Well here's my results of the search, Dakota Digital (http://www.dakotadigital.com/Detail.cfm/-/Category=122/PartNumber=DSL-1/product.htm), and it can be calibrated to be accurate, not quite Radio Shack stuff though

[Mr_Diesel]

Well, there is always the digital tach, but that ain't no fun!