Tachometer is doing weird things

[bfchiro]

Hey guys, new to this forum and I need your help. I have a 2006 Sea Ray 185 sport with a 4.3L. This weekend I took it out and the tachometer was jumping up to 2K at idle and when getting underway it would jump up to 5-6. The motor was running fine and was obviously not doing 6k. The weird thing about it it would then work fine and show "accurate" reading then freak out again. I checked all the connections, pulled the dash and everything is tight. I traced the grey wire which is the signal from the engine and check it and it is tight as well, no corrosion. I think I have a bad tach, but I thought I would post it here to see if anyone else had any ideas.

 

[Sundancer]

On the back of the tach is a switch that tells the tach if it's getting a signal from a 4, 6, or 8 cylinder engine. Move that switch back and forth a few times and then return it to the original position. Sometimes the contacts get corroded and switching it will clean them off and restore the accurate reading. It's an easy fix or attempt to fix it anyway. Let us know if it works!

 

[d-speed]

If you need a tach, i think i might have one for you... Send me a pm if you need one...

 

[billandamy]

On the back of the tach is a switch that tells the tach if it's getting a signal from a 4, 6, or 8 cylinder engine. Move that switch back and forth a few times and then return it to the original position. Sometimes the contacts get corroded and switching it will clean them off and restore the accurate reading. It's an easy fix or attempt to fix it anyway. Let us know if it works!

Exactly the problem I had, with exactly your solution. Mine was set to 6 cylinder...switched it to 8 and it worked perfect since.

 

[bfchiro]

Thanks guys this worked perfectly. I took it out the first day and no problem, then I took it out this weekend just to make sure. Tach reads exactly where it should. I just twisted the dial a few times and set it back to the 6C setting and no more weird readings. I love these forums. Thanks again !

 

[billandamy]

Good to hear it worked out :thumbsup:

 

[Generation X]

Does anybody know how far back in years that Sea Ray sport boats had that switch on the back of the tach?

I have a 1992 Sea Ray 180 BR I/O 4.3 V6.

 

[billandamy]

Does anybody know how far back in years that Sea Ray sport boats had that switch on the back of the tach?

I have a 1992 Sea Ray 180 BR I/O 4.3 V6.

No idea, but it is easily seen by going up and under the dashboard if you can. If not, may have to pull it? :huh:

 

[Generation X]

No idea, but it is easily seen by going up and under the dashboard if you can. If not, may have to pull it? :huh:

Thanks... did that today. I had to use a screw driver to adjust it, but mine was set to 6 already. :grin:

 

[billandamy]

Thanks... did that today. I had to use a screw driver to adjust it, but mine was set to 6 already. :grin:

SInce you dont have any boat information in your signature, I cannot tell if that is good or bad :grin:

 

[gsouth]

I had the same exact issue this weekend. Tach starting reading high and when the motor was off the tach stayed at 2000 RPMs. My boat is out of warranty but in pristine condition with no corrosion anywhere. I am going to try moving the click-dial a few times as suggested here and see if that fixes it..Thanks to all.

Gene in Texas

 

[The Continuum]

Here's another vote for this simple fix! After adjusting that dial back and forth about 15 times, I put it back to the proper setting and ran the tach ran all day without a single problem.

-Seth

 

[Water Bug]

:thumbsup: This fixed my tack issue also! It would jump up about 400 RPM and back down again...I was getting tired of tapping on the tack gage to get it to read right! Thanks for the tip!