Check out the new Gallery
wicked red 1100
wicked red 1100
by mag10, August 21
Windshield I need to replace
Windshield I need to replace
by philwarner, May 10
first ride
first ride
by NemoJr, April 1
Steve McQueen inspired
Steve McQueen inspired
by Feral, November 28
GaRally22
GaRally22
by chy, September 18
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Tachometer Connection
#327086 04/19/2009 11:21 PM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Adjunct
OP Offline
Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
I bought a tachometer from another forum member. I put it in and connected it up. It lights up when I turn the key on, but the needle doesn't move. Before I decide that the problem is the unit itself, I'm wondering if there are any connections on the other end that I should look at.


-Joe Merlino Boston, MA USA 1982 BMW R100 (decomissioned), 2003 America Triumph: Cool enough for The Fonz, cool enough for me.
Re: Tachometer Connection
Joe_Merlino #327087 04/20/2009 2:54 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
Offline
Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
There is a wiring loom that comes with the tach which needs to replace a loom on earlier bikes like your 03 - did you install that replacement loom? I just installed a tach on my America but it didn't need the loom that comes supplied with the tach because it's an 09.


Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
Re: Tachometer Connection
foglefar #327088 04/20/2009 9:40 AM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730
Likes: 5
Should be Riding
Offline
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730
Likes: 5
The long wire needs to be plugged into the CDI under the tank. The diagram they send with the tach really sucks as far as trying to locate which one to pin it into.


Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
Re: Tachometer Connection
roadworthy #327089 04/20/2009 10:09 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Adjunct
OP Offline
Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
I don't have a diagram. I bought the tach from another forum member so I just have the unit itself. You wouldn't have a photo, would you?


-Joe Merlino Boston, MA USA 1982 BMW R100 (decomissioned), 2003 America Triumph: Cool enough for The Fonz, cool enough for me.
Re: Tachometer Connection
Joe_Merlino #327090 04/20/2009 10:31 AM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730
Likes: 5
Should be Riding
Offline
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730
Likes: 5
Well, I found the box, but not the directions

I don't know if this will help



and a link to some info, but not much http://www.rideteamtriumph.com/tacho_instructions.htm

I'll keep looking for the directions and will scan it if I find them, but I think I may have tossed it because it sucked so bad.


Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
Re: Tachometer Connection
Joe_Merlino #327091 04/20/2009 10:32 AM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730
Likes: 5
Should be Riding
Offline
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730
Likes: 5
Quote:

I bought the tach from another forum member so I just have the unit itself.




you have the harness that came with it right?


Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
Re: Tachometer Connection
roadworthy #327092 04/20/2009 10:53 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Adjunct
OP Offline
Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Is this a harness other than what's attached to the tach already? I have a tach with some wires hanging out of it. the wires have plugs on the end, which mate nicely with some plugs that were under the panel. As I said, the light lights up when I turn the key.


-Joe Merlino Boston, MA USA 1982 BMW R100 (decomissioned), 2003 America Triumph: Cool enough for The Fonz, cool enough for me.
Re: Tachometer Connection
Joe_Merlino #327093 04/20/2009 11:21 AM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730
Likes: 5
Should be Riding
Offline
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730
Likes: 5
If you did not get a single long black wire (about 4') with it when you bought it, chances are good that the previous owner did not need it. That wire plugs into the CDI, and thats where the pulse comes from to make the tach work. '02 needed the wire, I guess either some or all of the '03 needed it too. Maybe someone on here still has the wire if they didn't need it. If I can find the directions I'll scan them, but if not then it's going to be a few days before I pull my tank off, I'll take some pics for you. I have a feeling you're going to need that wire.


Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
Re: Tachometer Connection
roadworthy #327094 04/20/2009 11:47 AM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Adjunct
OP Offline
Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
OK, good to know.


-Joe Merlino Boston, MA USA 1982 BMW R100 (decomissioned), 2003 America Triumph: Cool enough for The Fonz, cool enough for me.
Re: Tachometer Connection
roadworthy #327095 04/20/2009 11:48 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
Offline
Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
here's a pic of my tach connection. have a careful look a the number and color of leads to each connector. http://cid-6648e3bd665ceac9.spaces.live.com/

Re: Tachometer Connection
Bill #327096 04/20/2009 1:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,416
Oil Expert
Offline
Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,416
Here are some old instructions I copied from here (or was it from the old board?). Can't remember who wrote them, but they helped me installing my tach:

Quote:

1. Instruction are poor at best. If you BA is a 2002, it is probably not prewired for the TAC, so you have to replace the harness and install a wire from the igniter box to the harness. This requires removing the seat & tank.

2. Harness: you have to remove the old one which includes the indicator lights, once you remove the colored caps from the face, you can remove the rubber boots, you have to remove the light bulds and install in the new harness boots ( removing the bulbs and reinstalling is a pain and requires patience)Tke your time installing the boots to the cover, line up the lenses and get the rubber consistent around the lense cap.

3. Igniter wire: the instructions really miss the mark. Install the end that has the little rubber gromet in the igniter box. You need to disconnect the plu from the igniter box, and pop of the white cap, I used a small blade flat screwdriver. The wire goes in the top row, 3rd hole from the right. you have to remove the black rubber plug in the hole first. Be careful pushing in the wire connector in the plug, I broke the connector on mine and that compounded the effort. Because you removed the white cap, you can see when the connector is in place. Replace the white cap, and install the plug. You’ll notice your instructions do not tell you what to do with the other end. It goes in to the back of the larger plug on the new harness. There is only one opening, plug it in there.

4. TAC fit: mine and others I have talked with did not have a snug fit after tightning the nut that holds the tac in the bracket. I solved this by triming the rubber washers on the side that fits against the tac, and adding a washer below the nut.

Time: It took me about 1-1/2 hours including the frustration of trying to figure out the stuff the instructions left off.

It looks great and the needle moves real smooth. Took it out for a short test ride (it was about 38 degrees) and it was easier to look at while riding than I thought it would be.





"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something."
Re: Tachometer Connection
piper1 #327097 04/20/2009 2:03 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730
Likes: 5
Should be Riding
Offline
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730
Likes: 5
Yeah, that sounds pretty much spot on there. I didn't know about this forum when I did a lot of my mods and changes, it was a whole lot harder to just dive in with no reference.
Did you find that in the tech vault? Perhaps it should be in there.


Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
Re: Tachometer Connection
Bill #327098 04/20/2009 3:35 PM
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Adjunct
OP Offline
Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 335
Quote:

here's a pic of my tach connection. have a careful look a the number and color of leads to each connector. http://cid-6648e3bd665ceac9.spaces.live.com/




I'm pretty sure that's what mine looks like, too.


-Joe Merlino Boston, MA USA 1982 BMW R100 (decomissioned), 2003 America Triumph: Cool enough for The Fonz, cool enough for me.
Re: Tachometer Connection
roadworthy #327099 04/20/2009 4:12 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,416
Oil Expert
Offline
Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,416
Quote:

Did you find that in the tech vault? Perhaps it should be in there.




Nope. I'v got a bunch of How-to's and other things saved from ba.com and other places. If I read something interesting I sometimes save it as a text file on the hard drive. Can come in handy ike now...


"Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something."
Re: Tachometer Connection
piper1 #327100 04/20/2009 6:06 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227
Likes: 62
Fe Butt
Online Content
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227
Likes: 62
If you still need it I must have the wires somewhere. I didn't need it to install Wendy's tach and probably pout it in a box in the shed. Not home right now I'll look later.


I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
Re: Tachometer Connection
Joe_Merlino #327101 04/20/2009 6:08 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
Offline
Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Quote:

Quote:






I'm pretty sure that's what mine looks like, too.




So, busted tach seems unlikely, i would think it had to be a connection issue. can someone tell say what the harness looks like relative to the above on the earlier models?

I could tell you what to look for with a multimeter but it's not that easy.

Re: Tachometer Connection
Bill #327102 04/21/2009 7:54 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730
Likes: 5
Should be Riding
Offline
Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730
Likes: 5
Here is the connection into the CDI box, third space down on the left side, red wire


Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
Re: Tachometer Connection
Joe_Merlino #327103 04/22/2009 6:58 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126
Likes: 13
moe Offline
Should be Riding
Offline
Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126
Likes: 13
this can be found here in the tech vault.


....Apparently there is some missing information in the Tacho installation instructions for the Bonneville America, part number A9938043.
This page should help.

The use of the new console harness supplied in the kit is solely dependant on whether your existing harness has two or three spare connectors as stated in the instructions and is not year specific....


Blowing gravel off rural roads
Re: Tachometer Connection
moe #327104 04/22/2009 5:23 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 8
Loquacious
Offline
Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 8





Tachometer installation instructions. I also have the single wiring harness part number A9930043 which is number 6 in the first picture above. I guess my 03 TBA didn't need it or any of the other harnesses.


12 Rocket Roadster
03 Bonneville America
69 BSA Firebird Scrambler
73 Yamaha TX 750

Moderated by  bennybmn, chy, mert 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Rides
2025 Arkansas Rally
by roadworthy - 04/24/2025 7:57 PM
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4