While I have seen other threads about various tach issues, none seem to describe my issue. The tach on my 1987 328 seems to work fine when cold and first driving. But after about 30 minutes it indicates RPMs at about 50%. If I continue driving for another hour or so, it returns to the correct indication. Any suggerstions as to the problem? Gerry
Same problem as others. Symptoms may vary some but the problem is the same. Intermittent malfunctioning is not uncommon. Use one of the rebuilders recommended in other threads. Dave
Gerry, Before a rebuild I would suggest removing the instrument panel and cleaning the contacts. I had water temp gauge that was showing the temp 25 degrees higher than it was. After replacing many parts of the cooling system , with no luck, I decided to clean the contacts behind the gauge before a rebuild or new gauge purchase. It turned out that was the original problem. Oh well now all of my other cooling parts are new, except my waterpump which failed two weeks ago but that is another problem. Good luck. Dan
Thanks, I'll give that a try. Is there a procedure to the remove the instrument panel? I did a search and did not find anything. Gerry
Gerry, Search for the link on making the dash lights brighter [can't remember and am traveling at the moment] it will give you a step by step for removing the instument panel. Probalby want to do the dash light upgrade while you have things apart. Dan
Gerry, To remove the instrument panel remove the four corner indicators on the instrument panel. They should come out fairly easy with your finger nails or by putting dental floss around them and pulling them out that way. After you have removed the four small corner lights you need to remove the 4 philllips screws located a few inches behind them. Make sure you use a magnetized screwdriver so that you do not drop the screws. Once the 4 screws have been removed the entire metal instrument panel will easily slide out toward you. Reverse the steps for installation. Dan
Gerry, save yourself some time and trouble, just remove the tach and send it to the shop of your choice for repair. There is a component on the circuit board of the tach that needs replacement...no amount of contact cleaning will fix it. I tried, and so have many others...this problem is well known, and previously identified with ALL of the 3.2 motor cars using that Veglia tach from that specific time period (1987 to 1989). While I sent mine to Palo Alto Speedometer, I have heard some reports of long waits and poor service lately, so I would recommend using another repair service provider. BTW, when you remove the instrument make sure you cover the steering column with a couple of towels, to prevent scratching them. http://www.nwrfca.org/faq/dashlights.html As far as making your lights brighter, (and after upgrading a few cars) I am convinced that one should do the bypass first of the reostat. Particularly on the 328, since it is so easy to make a jumper from some wire and spade terminals. You may find that is all you need to do.
Can someone post a pic of this procedure? I cant find these 4 screws you talk about. My car is an 89 did they put the dash in differently? JJ
Remove the lights in each corner...behind them is the #2 Phillips screws that you must remove in order to remove the instrument cluster.
FWIW, I sent some to Palo Alto Speedometer, and they did a great job. I bought some brand new 328 tachs, and not surprisingly they had slight imperfections when they arrived from Ferrari. P.A.S. did a terrific job on them, and now they're just chillin' on my shelf. Give the rebuilders a try before spending $$ on a new tach.
It is easier with the steering wheel off but I removed mine without taking the steering wheel off. FYI I had lowered my steering wheel as low as it could go, more room up top to work with. Dan
MOMA Gauge Repair. Margaret is an old friend and has yet to be stumped. If one tells her that there is a rush, she gets them done pretty quick. Calling her in the months leading up to Pebble Beach is useless. I just spoke with her yesterday on a 328 tach running at 50%. Dave
^^ Tom, Tom, Tom.... 4 months?!?! One local phone call, and the green crappy Saturn would have delivered a new one in 39 minutes (give or take 2 minutes depending on how many cylinders actually fire in the car)
Try North Hollywood Speedometer. http://www.nhspeedometer.com/ They did some refurb work on my 911 last year. 1 week door to door and I'm not local! Cheers Mark Lintott Taiwan
Removing the wheel can create it's own can of worms (the screws are Loctited). I would take the previous advice and only lower the steering wheel column, by loosening the two bolts from below.
