Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (April 1997)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Tue, 22 Apr 1997 09:11:59 -0700
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         mholser@Adobe.COM (Malcolm Holser)
Subject:      Re: Tachometer question

It might not be possible to hook up any old tachometer. The engine uses a Hall-effect distributor, and finding a place where the current looks like an old distributor may be difficult. I use a tachometer that has an inductive pickup you clamp around one spark-plug wire, like most timing lights use as well. These usually work, although there is a recent trend towards multiple sparks per firing, which may screw up even this variation on some newer cars, or cars retrofitted with an MSD ignition (not to worry, I doubt anybody'll make soomething like this for Vanagons!).

The stock tachometer on your van hooks up to a wire on the coil -- Number 1 I think. Try this spot -- VW seemed to have good luck there. But many cheap or old tachometers for engine-tuning don't work so good. A small-child- based audio-relay system from the stock tach is usually better. Have any components around to scrape together one of these? Neighbors often will lend this particular tool, even when they won't lend a screwdriver.

malcolm


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.