I have been fighting the tach on my `83 wagon for years now. I have tried the "cig" trick, it worked for about 2 days. I tried adding more "wedge" items between the transformer/socket, it would work for a little bit and stop. I have tried using dielectric grease to no avail. Is there a proper fix for this problem I don't know about besides converting to the `85 style?
Thanks

__________________
-Randy Wakefield

1969 220D 4 speed (parts car)
1976 280C
1976 280S
1981 240D 4 speed (parts car)
1982 300D
1983 300TD (Ivory)
1983 300TD (gold)
1985 300TD (gray)
1987 190D 2.5
1970 280SEL (sold)
1977 240D 4 speed (sold)
1974 280 (rusted to death)
---
1927 Chevy 4 door sedan
1938 Chevy 2 door sedan
1950 Willys Jeepster
1955 Studebaker President 4 door
1977 Ford F250
1979 Glastron 17'
1948 John Deere A
1960 John Deere 2010
1979 Satoh S650G
--
2000 Bichon (Doby)

Just replace the tach amp, they're all over ebay for 20-40 bucks.

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

Buy a digital replacement from techguy512. No reason to blow $40 on an old used one when you can get a new better one that will last forever for the same price.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=219949

Funny, but for some reason I had the same outlandish idea. Have bad part. Replace bad part.


http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=219949

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

^^Aren't we smart people.

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

You must mean smart a@& people

__________________
-Randy Wakefield

1969 220D 4 speed (parts car)
1976 280C
1976 280S
1981 240D 4 speed (parts car)
1982 300D
1983 300TD (Ivory)
1983 300TD (gold)
1985 300TD (gray)
1987 190D 2.5
1970 280SEL (sold)
1977 240D 4 speed (sold)
1974 280 (rusted to death)
---
1927 Chevy 4 door sedan
1938 Chevy 2 door sedan
1950 Willys Jeepster
1955 Studebaker President 4 door
1977 Ford F250
1979 Glastron 17'
1948 John Deere A
1960 John Deere 2010
1979 Satoh S650G
--
2000 Bichon (Doby)

Well, what is the opposite of that chief??

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

About 5 or 6 months ago I got tired of the same problem and took apart the tach amp base and slightly crimped the pin sockets and then put it all back together. My tach is still working with no problem and I didn't have to buy anything.
It's worth a try and if it doesn't work you could still buy one techguy.

The problem on many of these is that after so many years of vibration from driving and the engine the female connector side of the pins get enlarged and the pins no longer make good contact so crimping them a little brings it back to full contact.

__________________
1983 300SD
200000miles

You'll see a new unit on eBay every now and then for around $60.

__________________
1982 300CD Petrol/Black Leather

Try spraying electrical contact cleaner liberally inside the tach amp. Worked for me. (You'll want to wait for it to dry before driving, of course.)

Golf clap for JimmyL. Well played, old boy!

...or, if your handy with a soldering iron, take your old one apart and resolder the circuit board. The hardest part is picking off the silicon potting compound

Mine has been trouble free since doing this

Cheers!

__________________
Neil.


1991 190E 2.6 170k
1995 E320CA 57k
1999 Chevy Tahoe 98k
2000 R1150GS 45k
1983 300CD 178k - sold, but not forgotten