Bouncing tach

Bandrews7 · 06-23-2014, 05:16 PM

My tach started bouncing this weekend. Reading way higher than it should. If I tapped the bezel it would go back to normal reading. Any ideas?

Cobalt · 06-23-2014, 05:38 PM

I have the same problem, and was told by the dealer the tach needed to be replaced.

Unfortunately, the tach is no longer in production, and I could not find a replacement.

I have been tapping the bezel once or twice for the last 5 years, and it is still working fine.

Good luck.

Dave R · 06-23-2014, 07:33 PM

That's a really common problem with Faria tachometers. Mine does it now and then, and my last boat with a Faria Tach did as well. Smacking it has always cured it in the 12 years I have seen it, so I've never looked for a permanent solution. If yours is not a Faria, it may have a similar design.

salty dog · 06-23-2014, 08:33 PM

Mine does the same and the old tap works fine, just like in my old Wellcraft before I finally had to replace it. I'll keep tapping until it's not working, if it comes to that, then I'll replace it.

Rich · 06-24-2014, 09:14 AM

If you do have a Faria, you may want to contact them. They can rebuild your current unit for a fee.

http://faria-instruments.com/site_ma...0090L-9128.pdf
http://faria-instruments.com/forms/?form=new

Or just keep tapping!

Rinkerfam · 06-24-2014, 09:44 PM

We had the same issue with our a few years back. I thought I was going to have to replace it. The mechanic at my marina said that he could remove it and send it to Faria for a rebuild. I paid for the cost of the rebuild plus shipping and it has been fine since. It's a worthwhile option in my opinion.

pcmc · 06-24-2014, 10:45 PM

Does rebuild it mean lubricate all moving parts??

welchislandman · 06-25-2014, 06:20 AM

I have the same issue in my 03 Rinker
I never tried smacking it ! But will now

Thanks for posting the rebuild link also

Jeff

pcmc · 06-25-2014, 10:37 AM

After thinking about mentioning lubricating any moving parts, the thought that everyone most likely has a much newer and nicer boat than mine, crossed my mind.
So curiosity won and I googled the tach and sure enough the tach works via pulses from a pickup on the engine vs a cable from the distributor. So to learn a little more I called Faria, which I was pleasantly surprised to learn they are based in CT.
I explained that on Winnipesaukee.com I had read about an issue some are having with a bouncing needle on their tachs. The gentlemen I spoke to offered this as a slim chance to correct your issue.
On the back of the tach is a button or switch that allows the tach to be adjustable ( universal )and work with different engines. First make note of this buttons position so you put it back in the same position. Move the button back and forth to try to 'scratch' any corrosion off that may have formed on the contact points. He did say as the tach begins to show signs of failing the needle will occasionally bounce and eventually get stuck in one spot and stop working. This was beyond a corrosion issue.
Start with trying to scratch/ clean the button by moving it and check that connections are tight and corrosion free.
I like tinkering with older cars and as wiring and connector metals oxidize or corrosion occurs is when funny electrical issues pop up.
Hope that helps.
Good luck.

Rich · 06-25-2014, 10:50 AM

Yes, I've seen this switch. It's on the back of the tach.

Rotate the switch several times, quickly. Then put it back in the correct position (4, 6 or 8 Cylinders).

It may help!

ITD · 06-25-2014, 04:05 PM

Check the ground, make sure it hasn't corroded.....

Rich · 06-26-2014, 08:15 AM

Check all the connections!

I happned to be behind my dash for a different reason, and while I was there I looked to see if any connections were loose (the boat is about 9 years old).

As I wasnn't having any symptoms, I couldn't believe what I found. One of the nuts behind the temperature guage was not even close to being tight, so the wire connector was just hanging on the guage lug loosly! The nut was about half way down the post. Luckily that guage was working perfectly, and never was a problem. But it was a problem waiting to occur.

While I was back there, I took the time to check and tighten all the connections.

So if you take the time to get behind your instraments, it wouldn't hurt to check every conection.

VitaBene · 06-26-2014, 03:25 PM

I have a non-operating Faria tach on my Wellcraft, thanks for the ideas!

Rangervx · 07-02-2014, 07:23 PM

there is nothing to lubricate to fix your tach...it is most likely a wiring issue...check and clean all connections before replacing the tach if it is still faulty...

06-23-2014, 05:16 PM	#1
Bandrews7 Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Holden, ma Posts: 45 Thanks: 44 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts	Bouncing tach My tach started bouncing this weekend. Reading way higher than it should. If I tapped the bezel it would go back to normal reading. Any ideas? __________________ "Isabethan"

06-23-2014, 08:33 PM	#4
salty dog Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Beverly Cove, Ma Posts: 359 Thanks: 288 Thanked 148 Times in 82 Posts	Mine does the same and the old tap works fine, just like in my old Wellcraft before I finally had to replace it. I'll keep tapping until it's not working, if it comes to that, then I'll replace it. __________________ I'd rather be relax'n at Winnipesaukee

06-24-2014, 09:14 AM	#5
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,244 Thanks: 72 Thanked 344 Times in 234 Posts	If you do have a Faria, you may want to contact them. They can rebuild your current unit for a fee. http://faria-instruments.com/site_ma...0090L-9128.pdf http://faria-instruments.com/forms/?form=new Or just keep tapping! __________________ Don't listen to me, obviously I don't understand what I'm talking about! Let's help each other save time and money: WinniGas.com

06-24-2014, 09:44 PM	#6
Rinkerfam Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	We had the same issue with our a few years back. I thought I was going to have to replace it. The mechanic at my marina said that he could remove it and send it to Faria for a rebuild. I paid for the cost of the rebuild plus shipping and it has been fine since. It's a worthwhile option in my opinion. __________________ Education is hanging around 'til you've caught on - Frost

06-25-2014, 10:50 AM	#10
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,244 Thanks: 72 Thanked 344 Times in 234 Posts	Yes, I've seen this switch. It's on the back of the tach. Rotate the switch several times, quickly. Then put it back in the correct position (4, 6 or 8 Cylinders). It may help! __________________ Don't listen to me, obviously I don't understand what I'm talking about! Let's help each other save time and money: WinniGas.com

06-23-2014, 05:38 PM	#2
Cobalt Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 130 Thanks: 70 Thanked 33 Times in 25 Posts	I have the same problem, and was told by the dealer the tach needed to be replaced. Unfortunately, the tach is no longer in production, and I could not find a replacement. I have been tapping the bezel once or twice for the last 5 years, and it is still working fine. Good luck.

The Following User Says Thank You to Cobalt For This Useful Post:
Bandrews7 (06-23-2014)

06-23-2014, 07:33 PM	#3
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,984 Thanks: 246 Thanked 743 Times in 443 Posts	That's a really common problem with Faria tachometers. Mine does it now and then, and my last boat with a Faria Tach did as well. Smacking it has always cured it in the 12 years I have seen it, so I've never looked for a permanent solution. If yours is not a Faria, it may have a similar design.

The Following User Says Thank You to Dave R For This Useful Post:
Bandrews7 (06-24-2014)

The Following User Says Thank You to Rich For This Useful Post:
Bandrews7 (06-24-2014)

06-24-2014, 10:45 PM	#7
pcmc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 412 Thanks: 211 Thanked 106 Times in 73 Posts	Does rebuild it mean lubricate all moving parts??

06-25-2014, 06:20 AM	#8
welchislandman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Welch Is, Gilford Posts: 79 Thanks: 91 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	I have the same issue in my 03 Rinker I never tried smacking it ! But will now Thanks for posting the rebuild link also Jeff

06-25-2014, 10:37 AM	#9
pcmc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 412 Thanks: 211 Thanked 106 Times in 73 Posts	After thinking about mentioning lubricating any moving parts, the thought that everyone most likely has a much newer and nicer boat than mine, crossed my mind. So curiosity won and I googled the tach and sure enough the tach works via pulses from a pickup on the engine vs a cable from the distributor. So to learn a little more I called Faria, which I was pleasantly surprised to learn they are based in CT. I explained that on Winnipesaukee.com I had read about an issue some are having with a bouncing needle on their tachs. The gentlemen I spoke to offered this as a slim chance to correct your issue. On the back of the tach is a button or switch that allows the tach to be adjustable ( universal )and work with different engines. First make note of this buttons position so you put it back in the same position. Move the button back and forth to try to 'scratch' any corrosion off that may have formed on the contact points. He did say as the tach begins to show signs of failing the needle will occasionally bounce and eventually get stuck in one spot and stop working. This was beyond a corrosion issue. Start with trying to scratch/ clean the button by moving it and check that connections are tight and corrosion free. I like tinkering with older cars and as wiring and connector metals oxidize or corrosion occurs is when funny electrical issues pop up. Hope that helps. Good luck.

The Following User Says Thank You to pcmc For This Useful Post:
Bandrews7 (06-25-2014)

06-25-2014, 04:05 PM	#11
ITD Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 2,925 Thanks: 476 Thanked 691 Times in 387 Posts	Check the ground, make sure it hasn't corroded.....

06-26-2014, 08:15 AM	#12
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,244 Thanks: 72 Thanked 344 Times in 234 Posts	Check all the connections! I happned to be behind my dash for a different reason, and while I was there I looked to see if any connections were loose (the boat is about 9 years old). As I wasnn't having any symptoms, I couldn't believe what I found. One of the nuts behind the temperature guage was not even close to being tight, so the wire connector was just hanging on the guage lug loosly! The nut was about half way down the post. Luckily that guage was working perfectly, and never was a problem. But it was a problem waiting to occur. While I was back there, I took the time to check and tighten all the connections. So if you take the time to get behind your instraments, it wouldn't hurt to check every conection. __________________ Don't listen to me, obviously I don't understand what I'm talking about! Let's help each other save time and money: WinniGas.com

The Following User Says Thank You to Rich For This Useful Post:
salty dog (06-26-2014)

06-26-2014, 03:25 PM	#13
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,579 Thanks: 1,611 Thanked 1,633 Times in 840 Posts	I have a non-operating Faria tach on my Wellcraft, thanks for the ideas!

07-02-2014, 07:23 PM	#14
Rangervx Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: VIRGINIA / WINTER HARBOR Posts: 82 Thanks: 28 Thanked 28 Times in 15 Posts	there is nothing to lubricate to fix your tach...it is most likely a wiring issue...check and clean all connections before replacing the tach if it is still faulty...