How hard is it to install a tachometer?

[iamtrout]

I've got a 2000 Toyota Echo stick shift that didn't come with a tachometer, and I would really like one. So how hard is it to install a tachometer? I'm a complete noob at cars, including the wiring. Is it a tough thing to do? Does it involve soldering? If it's too complex where would I go to get it installed?

 

[DaTT]

Pay someone at a performance shop.

 

[Heisenberg]

Usually all you have to do is tie one wire in to the ignition system somewhere, wire power and ground (and illumination for at night), and then just mount the tach inside somewhere.

 

[Safeway]

How could a standard car not come with one?!

 

[iamtrout]

Is finding these wires hard? I don't know of any resources yet on the net that show me how to ID wires. I'd prefer to do it myself just for the experience.

 

[iamtrout]

Originally posted by: Safeway
How could a standard car not come with one?!

I don't know dude, I don't know. The 2003 Echos started having them...

 

[aphex]

Do you shift when it gets loud?

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: iamtrout
Is finding these wires hard? I don't know of any resources yet on the net that show me how to ID wires. I'd prefer to do it myself just for the experience.

If you have to ask let someone else install it.

 

[scorpmatt]

Originally posted by: Safeway
How could a standard car not come with one?!

my p/u is a 5speed no tach, my car is an auto with a tach

same with my parent's minivan (auto w/tach) and p/u (5speed w/out tach)

 

[CrispyFried]

Most newer cars have a terminal marked "tach" near the coils or distributer. Look around. Youll find it.

 

[Bootprint]

It's a good thing that it comes with a limiter.

 

[markgm]

Originally posted by: aphex
Do you shift when it gets loud?

I love it!

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: markgm

Originally posted by: aphex
Do you shift when it gets loud?

I love it!

I shift only when the pistons are swapping spots

Ausm

 

[SnOop005]

I thought u just have to plug it to the spark plug wire for it to work but you might have to open your gagues cluster and tap the illumination wire in there, so it lights up wit your speedometer.

 

[Bootprint]

Laptop software and one of these.

 

[Lonyo]

Why the need for a tach? Can you not drive stick without one?

 

[CrispyFried]

Originally posted by: Ausm

I shift only when the pistons are swapping spots

Ausm

Or when the pushrods start leaving bumps on the hood.

 

[mugs]

I've driven nothing but manuals since I got my driver's license, and I can count the times I've needed a tachometer on zero hands

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: mugs
I've driven nothing but manuals since I got my driver's license, and I can count the times I've needed a tachometer on zero hands

It's not that you need one...

It's just that many people appreciate all the data input they can get.