Tach damage

[kroberts]

While performing some instrument panel maintenance, I think I bumped my tach needle. After removal, I discovered that the clear plastic cover on my inst panel had come loose. I probably did it soon after. I have since re-glued it. Anyway, I didn't notice this until I got everything back together. Here is a picture of it with power off.



Is it possible to turn the needle off its axis like this or have I done some irreparable damage?

Where should the tach needle be pointing when power is off? At zero or a little before?

TIA,

kroberts

[MikeE30325i]

The needle should be resting against the little stub.

[kroberts]

which begs the question...What little stub?

kr

[PiercedE30]

That white spot next to the zero is where a little metal stub (think paper clip metal that is about 1 cm long) should be. I'm guessing you knocked it off and allowed the needle to float down. does it still read correct if you have the motor running?

[Mr Deagle]

That is the MPG meter

You are getting 40 MPG


That, or you money shifted to 10k rpm!!!

/sarcasm

[AndrewBird]

The needle should be resting against the little stub.

I don't think there is one of those on a tach. Only on the speedo.

Best way to fix it is to drive without the cluster lens on. Then, drive at a certain MPH that you know what RPM you should be taching and adjust the needle to read correctly.

[jlevie]

I don't think there is one of those on a tach. Only on the speedo.

I've got three clusters handy from 87+ cars and none have a stop in for the speedo and all have a stop pin for the tach.

[MikeE30325i]

yeah i think it is always on the tach, and not on the speedo.

he probably broke it off or something along those lines.

[kroberts]

Yeah, that's just a booger on the cover. I'm going to pull the cluster back out and see what's what.

dammit.

kr

[wickedE30]

Hey kroberts, Why don't you replace the tach? If you need to, let me know as I have an extra motometer "i" tach in the closet.

[AndrewBird]

I've got three clusters handy from 87+ cars and none have a stop in for the speedo and all have a stop pin for the tach.

Guess I was thinking backwards.

[88e30is]

I had some bumped my needle under that little stub once and had to take it back apart to get it above the stub but it did confuse me for a couple of minutes.

[kroberts]

Fixed!

I pulled the inst cluster back out and split it open. I GENTLY turned the tach needle and found that it stopped at about 5000rpm. So I just coaxed it forward until it sat at zero when released. Problem solved. Re-assembled and road checked. Mui Bueno.

Spot on accuracy is not a big deal with this car



But it gets good mileage and is fun to drive.

kr