Tachometer Problems with V-8 swap


dasfinc

dasfinc

October 2011 STOTM Winner

MTOTM Winner
Boosted (Not Stock)
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Dec 10, 2008
Messages
627
Points
3,101
City
Warrenville IL
Vehicle Year
1998
Transmission
Automatic
I've had the swap done for a while, but this has finally bothered me enough to address it.

Using a 98...? Explorer sport cluster, or a 96 explorer V-8 cluster, my tach is reading 2X the correct RPM *or 1.5 times, not sure*

I did the wire swap per a few of the V-8 swap articles, but it did not resolve the problem...

Does this wire swap only work with RANGER clusters? can anyone confirm this before I buy a ranger cluster to use (Mine was a 4 banger auto with no tachometer)
________
TS100
 
Last edited:
You should be able to use either of those Explorer clusters. Recheck these at the cluster connectors:

Pin 16 of the 16-pin: grounded

Pin 8 of the 10-pin: NOT grounded
 
rwenzing said:
You should be able to use either of those Explorer clusters. Recheck these at the cluster connectors:

Pin 16 of the 16-pin: grounded

Pin 8 of the 10-pin: NOT grounded
Click to expand...

Do you happen to have a diagram of how it should be wired? *With color if at all possible?* I'd love to get this fixed before my next track outing.
________
RC165
 
Last edited:
Repinning the cluster harness for a V8:
  • If your truck originally had a V6, then you should have removed the original black/yellow ground wire from position 8 (of the 10-pin) and moved it to position 16 (of the 16-pin).
  • If your truck was originally a 4-cylinder, then you would have needed to add a grounded wire to pin 16 (of the 16-pin).
However, if you have already rewired it and it doesn't read correctly, then you may not be able to use these instructions because of the changes that were made before. Instead, it would be safer to determine the pin locations and correct them.




The "start" and "finish" pin position numbers are usually embossed in the plastic connector face. As an example, in a single row, 10-pin connector, there would be a "1" at one end and a "10" at the other. Count off the pins between them to get their numbers.

To make your tach work with the Ex V8, check and correct these three pin positions in your truck's factory cluster connectors:
  • Position 2 of the 12-pin: wired to chassis ground
  • Position 16 of the 16-pin: wired to chassis ground
  • Position 8 of the 10-pin: open, NOT grounded
 
rwenzing said:
Repinning the cluster harness for a V8:
  • If your truck originally had a V6, then you should have removed the original black/yellow ground wire from position 8 (of the 10-pin) and moved it to position 16 (of the 16-pin).
  • If your truck was originally a 4-cylinder, then you would have needed to add a grounded wire to pin 16 (of the 16-pin).
However, if you have already rewired it and it doesn't read correctly, then you may not be able to use these instructions because of the changes that were made before. Instead, it would be safer to determine the pin locations and correct them.
Click to expand...

That is EXACTLY what I needed to know, was that published in any articles? I couldn't find if there was a 4 cyl difference!!!

Thank you so much! I'll try it when I get home!
________
Honda CX500
 
Last edited:
dasfinc said:
That is EXACTLY what I needed to know, was that published in any articles? I couldn't find if there was a 4 cyl difference!!!

Thank you so much! I'll try it when I get home!
Click to expand...
I haven't seen the 4-cylinder info posted anywhere before. It's out of the Ranger and Explorer EVTM/Wiring Manuals.
 
dasfinc, that means you have some threads to update!
 
Thank you BUNCHES rwenzing, Got it all working more or less correct finally! (Airbag light flashes... but I messed up another wire while grounding out pin 16... I'll get it right eventually)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Sponsored Ad

TRS Events & Gatherings

Where We Were in 2025 – The Ranger Station

Latest posts

Featured Rangers

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

TRS Latest Video

Official TRS Merchandise

Follow TRS On Instagram

Latest Album Photos

IMG_4690.JPEG
IMG_4689.JPEG
IMG_4688.JPEG
IMG_4679.JPEG
IMG_4656.JPEG
IMG_4625.JPEG
IMG_4562.JPEG
IMG_4561.JPEG
IMG_4560.JPEG
IMG_4559.JPEG
IMG_4558.JPEG
IMG_4445.JPEG

Product Suggestions

Back
Top