After the last NJ Diesel meet I thought I pretty much had things wrapped up on my car(83 300td w/165k). The tach now worked, installed a new rackmount screw, received information about adjusting the auto leveling suspension, and also installed a new monovalve for my heat problem. All in all it was an eventful day and I met some some really good people. However, the tach problem showed up again. I knew the "butt" fix was temporary and started looking into this issue again. I had a brief discussion with another diesel owner about the tach issue and he told me his local MB guy, who has been working on these cars for eons, just unscrewed the tach relay (located at the front drivers side of the engine bay) and sprayed some oil into the female end of the plug. My friends 300d had this done almost 3 years ago and still operates with no problems. So yesterday afternoon, after work, I opened the hood, removed the cover from the tach relay and sprayed some PJ1 motorcycle chain lube into the female end of the relay. Tach works like a charm!!! I used the PJ1 because the lubricant is more resilient to moisture and adheres better to metal than "straight" oil. These cars are great!!! Now to take care of that rust......

give it a shot!!

thanks,
Andrew

Wow, that seems too good to be true,,,, Greg

I thought so to, but it worked for me!

-Andrew

My cigarette butt lost it's prominent place in your car. I feel like I've lost a son.

JCD

As much as I hated relieving the little guy of his duties his time was up and he was replaced with new and improved fluids. It kinda sucked asking my neighbor for a butt every time tach went nuts but now I even feel free from that addiction!!! She's a freakin wacko but I found use for her never the less.

Good for me!
Andrew

that really sounds too good to be true. Would wd 40 work?

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W126 1983 300SD 286,000 miles and ticking
Baby blue exterior Grey MB tex
Recent work:
Replaced air cleaner mounting brackets and heat shields
Replaced alternator, fan and power steering belts
Replaced positive battery terminal
Replaced negative battery terminal and cord
New Duralast Battery

My car needs work.

I would certainly give it a shot. If your tach is not working now you have nothing to lose. I would even try some vaseline petroleum jelly. I use it on all of my motorcycle connectors.

thanks,
Andrew

Speaking of motorcycles Andrew, how do you like your Valkerie? And have you ridden that VTX 1800 yet. I'm not into boulevard cruisers (Harleyesque) but if I was I think my choice would be one of those. I summer commute to work on my R90S and it's still one of my favorite bikes to ride. But if I could own several bikes, well you know! Just curious.

hahaha i'll give that a try.

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W126 1983 300SD 286,000 miles and ticking
Baby blue exterior Grey MB tex
Recent work:
Replaced air cleaner mounting brackets and heat shields
Replaced alternator, fan and power steering belts
Replaced positive battery terminal
Replaced negative battery terminal and cord
New Duralast Battery

My car needs work.

Just a little update... Almost two weeks later and the tach is still working fine. The cig butt lasted about a week.

Has anyone else tried it?

thanks,
Andrew

I tried it and so far it hasn't failed.
Of course I do have a 'buffer' still.

However these buffers usually fail after a while (like the cig. butt.. just that I don't smoke..)

I used WD-40 and the buffer is the cork from a Remy Martin VSOP... :p

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe