Intermitent Tach...

92 Dodge Shadow, 93XXX miles. Tach will operate normally, then drop to 0,
then seconds, or minutes later start working again. Sounds like a bad
solder connection, or connector. Anything else it might be? All other
guages work fine. How much of a PITA is it to get the instrument cluster
out? I have a Chilton (cringe) manual.

Deke

--
If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he
hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however
measured or far away.

H. D. Thoreau

 

The cluster comes out easily. Take the plastic cover off, and you will
see how it comes out. There are two, or three electrical connectors and
the whole assembly comes out.

You are correct that it is a solder connection. Once you get the
cluster out, you will see the printed circuit board (PCB) will have
revits that connect top and bottom PCB traces. Solder reflow ALL of
these revits, clean the connections to the tach driver board (a
daughter card tha plugs into the back of the tach) with a pipe cleaner
soaked in contact cleaner, and you should be good to go.

If you can't solder, you can take the cluster to a speedo reapir shop,
and they will solder reflow, calibrate, and test the cluster for 100 to
200 dollars.

Good Luck,
Bill