Tachometer problems - can I calibrate it properly?

[SiberianPatrol]

I had my instrument panel completely die on me last week after an electric shop installed a new aftermarket alarm system and a few other things. They traced the fault and found that it was something in the actual instrument cluster, so they ordered a replacement from a wrecker and installed it at their cost. The problem is now that the tach shows that I'm idling around 1200rpm and it winds up super fast — according to the new tach, I'm redlining before every gear change.

Before the old one went on the blink, I was idling around 750-800rpm and would wind up to about 3000-3200 before shifting to keep the engine revving in the sweet spot on the 2.8. After the shift I would be around the 2000rpm mark. Now, even after shifting, the new tach doesn't show me dropping much below the 3000rpm mark.

Nothing has changed with the engine, so I'm wondering if it's possible to calibrate the tach properly or if they may have put in the wrong instrument panel?!? Is it even possible to calibrate the tach?

For the record, I'm running a 99 GU with the RD28Ti engine, manual tranny, 33" tires (285/75/16) with a 2" Ironman Suspension lift. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions?

[SiberianPatrol]

Does anyone at least have a suggestion if this is a mechanical problem or an electrical problem? I'm not sure if I need to go back to the auto electric or an engine shops to sort this out.

[janderson]

I'll be going back to them

[Yendor]

How did they manage to kill your instrument panel?. Did they check fuses 24 and 28 before replacing the cluster?. Why wasn't your old instrument panel repaired?

The cluster from the wrecker was it from a vehicle with the same engine as yours?

It sounds like they have caused the issue, have you spoken with them about it yet?

[SiberianPatrol]

How did they manage to kill your instrument panel?. Did they check fuses 24 and 28 before replacing the cluster?. Why wasn't your old instrument panel repaired?

The cluster from the wrecker was it from a vehicle with the same engine as yours?

It sounds like they have caused the issue, have you spoken with them about it yet?

Don't know how the panel died, only the fact that it was dead after I picked it up. Tach wouldn't register and speedometer would only get up to around 20 when I was cruising around 80. They tried to repair the old panel - they had current through the panel, current to the panel, but when connected, nothing worked - fuel gauge was maxed out and temp gauge stayed in the middle. I don't know that they checked the fuses, but they checked the wiring and the panel itself and couldn't figure it out. They even sent it to another specialized electrician and he couldn't find the problem - thus the need for a new panel.

They took my VIN and searched for the part with that. I need to go back and ask them specifically which Patrol it was taken out of. The speedometer, fuel and temp gauges work fine, it's just the tach that is messed up.

[Yendor]

So does your odometer show the correct milage?

It seems they have done a dodgy repair. An instrument repair company should of been able to repair your old panel.

I'm guessing the tacho was taken from a vehicle with a different engine to yours. That's why everything else works correctly except for the tacho.

[SiberianPatrol]

So does your odometer show the correct milage?

It seems they have done a dodgy repair. An instrument repair company should of been able to repair your old panel.

I'm guessing the tacho was taken from a vehicle with a different engine to yours. That's why everything else works correctly except for the tacho.

Odometer is different mileage, but that's not a big deal here. The used car market always winds the odometer back before resale. It's just common practice. I'm going tomorrow to talk with the shop and see what engine and model they pulled the panel from. Will keep you posted.

[dom14]

Odometer is different mileage, but that's not a big deal here. The used car market always winds the odometer back before resale. It's just common practice. I'm going tomorrow to talk with the shop and see what engine and model they pulled the panel from. Will keep you posted.

It happens everywhere, including the down under here.
With the mechanical odometers, it's not too hard to wind it back to whatever.
With digital ones, it takes bit more trouble, but that trouble has been lessened with all the hacking tools available on ebay for peanuts.
I would go back to the guys who did the repair on your display and panel and insist they fix it for good.
Apparently they stuffed up something and they need to rectify it at no cost to you, which includes not making you go fifty trips back and forth to get it right.

[SiberianPatrol]

It happens everywhere, including the down under here.
With the mechanical odometers, it's not too hard to wind it back to whatever.
With digital ones, it takes bit more trouble, but that trouble has been lessened with all the hacking tools available on ebay for peanuts.
I would go back to the guys who did the repair on your display and panel and insist they fix it for good.
Apparently they stuffed up something and they need to rectify it at no cost to you, which includes not making you go fifty trips back and forth to get it right.

I will be going back to them tomorrow. I stopped in briefly today, but the admin guy and head mechanic weren't in. The shop is right around the corner from my house, so it's not a big deal to run over there. I have a feeling they may have gotten a ZD30 instrument cluster instead of the RD28Ti. Everything up to this point has been at their cost, so I'm not too worried about it getting taken care of. Patrols aren't a dime-a-dozen over here like they are down under, so most of these places I take it to are servicing one for the first time.

[dom14]

I will be going back to them tomorrow. I stopped in briefly today, but the admin guy and head mechanic weren't in. The shop is right around the corner from my house, so it's not a big deal to run over there. I have a feeling they may have gotten a ZD30 instrument cluster instead of the RD28Ti. Everything up to this point has been at their cost, so I'm not too worried about it getting taken care of. Patrols aren't a dime-a-dozen over here like they are down under, so most of these places I take it to are servicing one for the first time.

That is the issue you need to be aware off. Inexperience is the mother of all stuff ups. I actually thought yours is an ZD30. RD28 is a much better option for sure.

[SiberianPatrol]

Heading over to the place in an hour. We'll see what comes of it