Tachometer

[xhighfidelityx]

Hello,

I'm a new user and I have noticed much discussion about adding a tachometer. I found one at a local junkyard and installed it in my instrument cluster. There was wiring plugs for both the tachometer and the clock. I looked at fuse box and the only fuse I could think would have been related to the tachometer was an empty slot called engine control. Not sure if that one is related but I put in a 15A fuse in it anyway. Clock works great, but no tachometer reading. Has anyone figured out how to get this working? Does anyone know where the other end of the tachometer wiring is and what it should be hooked up to? I have read something that it should be connected next to the timing chain and I read something else that said something near the alternator. I have a plug next to alternator that doesn't seem to connect anywhere and a plug connected to a plastic cap that is on top of the fuel injection wiring. Thinking that one has something to do with diagnostics, but I am not sure.

Has anyone had any luck connecting a tachometer to their truck. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I have a 1991 Nissan D21 base model, 2WD, 4 cylinder.

Thanks in advance.

[seang]

Not sure, but good question.

[Rev_D21]

A couple members here have tried. Check Mrcoolegar thread titled something like 1990 redo transformation. He has been doing a s***-ton of work on his truck and has the same dash as yours.

[RT22]

I know the aftermarket one hooks to the coil if memory serves me, look and see if you have any electrical hookups there that are unused. I hooked up a aftermarket tach on a mazda and that is where the pickup wire went.

[xhighfidelityx]

Cool, thanks for the advice, I will check out Mrcoolegar and look into my coil.

[xhighfidelityx]

Well,

Finding Mr. Coolegar posting turned up that he hasn't had time to figure it out at least he hasn't posted the fix yet, but holy crap he has upgraded everything else. Awesome ideas in that posting for sure. I wish my junkyards has half of the finds he has stumbled upon.

I checked all around the coil and it seems to have a 2 prong plug attached to it, but nothing else and no sockets to attach anything else to it. I checked online to see if maybe the V6 coil or the SE King cab coil were different, but it looked the same. I'm not giving up though. My next step it to go back to the donor car in the junk yard and see if I can figure out if there is anything different around the coil or whatever that could help in getting it working. I will definitely post anything information I find out.

On a side note, do the Xterra front seats mount right up, or do I need to do some mods? I found some decent bucket seats from an early model Xterra, but I am not sure if it will fit my truck or not. So, ready to get rid of the bench seat.

[RT22]

Aftermarket hooks that way but stock nissan may be pulling the tach signal from another sensor. Best way is to try and google or find a schematic for wiring and see where it goes. maybe someone here with a shop manual can look it up. I am not sure if the cheap haynes chilton manuals have a wiring diagram, I know they do not have vacuum diagrams.

[xhighfidelityx]

I don't have Chiltons, but the one in Haynes is horrible and more confusing than anything. Does Chiltons make a better manual? That is a good suggestion though. Maybe I can find a better schematic online or something. It would be nice to know where the other end of the tach wire goes. I know one of the wires was pink. I am not very good at electronics, but I am enjoying the challenge.

Thanks for the post.

[RT22]

A good schematic will show the wire or wires and colors, all you have to do is follow them from tach to the end point and sensor. Like you said though, it takes a GOOD schematic to get the job done. Google, maybe you find one or maybe someone here or even the local dealer may be kind enough to help out.

[xhighfidelityx]

Well, I hate to admit it, but I'm stumped. Spend a lot of time online looking for schematics and came up with nothing. I also spend half the day at a junk yard looking at a 4 cylinder with a tachometer and one without and not finding any real difference. I gave up and took it out. I kept the clock though. I used my blank cover and cut a square into it so the clock will show. Looks good. The real kicker was finding an aftermarket tachometer for like 30 bucks...not really worth my time or hassle when aftermarkets are so cheap, lol.

Anyway, just wanted to show an update for the next guy that attempts this. Thanks and maybe someone with better Nissan know how can figure out this mystery.