Tachometer 300SD '84 vs 83

[300SDH]

I have an 83 300SD. I am replacing the Tachometer. The instrument cluster I acquired used from the junk yard was from an 84 300SD.

The Tach from the 83 has 2 prong plug in and the 84 has a 3 prong plug in.

The 83 shows + and - the 84 shows + and ground and -.

Does anybody know if the the 84 tach version with the 3 prong can be used in the 83 prong plug and if so how.

Thanks for any help.

[DeliveryValve]

Originally Posted by 300SDH

I have an 83 300SD. I am replacing the Tachometer. The instrument cluster I acquired used from the junk yard was from an 84 300SD.

The Tach from the 83 has 2 prong plug in and the 84 has a 3 prong plug in.

The 83 shows + and - the 84 shows + and ground and -.

Does anybody know if the the 84 tach version with the 3 prong can be used in the 83 prong plug and if so how.

Thanks for any help.

I don't think it will work because the '84 (it's a California version) is controlled by a computer and uses a sensor at the flywheel, while the '83 is through the tach amplifier and uses a sensor at the crankshaft pulley up front.

[OldPokey]

I just ran into this myself. I have a FEDERAL 84 TD, and its tachometer is attached to an "engine speed sensor" that is bolted to the engine where it meets the transmission. Your 83 does not have the mount point or the sensor, and gets its signal from the TDC sensor on the harmonic balancer through the amplifier plugged into the diagnostics plug attached to the left fender. I don't know if the signal from the 84's sensor is different from the 83.

My car has an earlier engine installed and so I have a dead tach as well. I'll try to brew something up in the spring that will allow the TDC sensor to drive the 84 tachometer. You may want to take the cluster back and see if you can get an 83 version or earlier...

Here's a link to that thread:

Figured out why my Tach won't work...

[Old300D]

I have tested the tachometers on my bench, in an effort to fit my 240D with a tach.

The older two wire tachs respond to a straight DC voltage to drive the needle, where the newer three wire tachs respond to a square wave representative of 2x the actual rpm. They require different amplifers, so be sure to get the proper sensors and amplifers that work with the tach you have.

[DeliveryValve]

Originally Posted by OldPokey

I just ran into this myself. I have a FEDERAL 84 TD, and its tachometer is attached to an "engine speed sensor" that is bolted to the engine where it meets the transmission.

Sorry for hijacking this thread...But... John, I really do think you have a California version '84 because of your set up.

Do me a favor, check you vin# at this link and it will tell you if it is a California version or not.

http://www.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/index.html?lng=eng

Look for something similar to this for the description.

494 California version
California version (с 01.05.1973 по 31.12.1995)
version for USA/California/Canada (с 01.01.1996)
490 + 492 (с 01.12.1966 по 30.09.1967)

I am just curious and to see if I am wrong.

Richard