installing a tach
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installing a tach
I got a tach for christmas and need to put it in. It says to splice off a wire that has power only when the key is in the run position. I am thinking to just splice into the cluster lights for this but is there an easier way? Basically, what is the best and easiest way to hook up a tach in a 77 f150? 
thanks
thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: SD
There should be 4 wires for a tach. Switched power, ground, coil signal, dash lights.
For my tach, I took switched power and dash lights from the old radio wiring (since my new radio doesn't need it). Blue w/red stripe is dash lights, not sure of the other wire color. For the ground, find a screw to ground it to the metal dash (I chose behind the instrument cluster where the other grounds are) just make sure it's clean and tight. Then for the coil lead, run it through the fire wall and hook it into the neg wire on the coil. The large plastic clip on the coil will say TACH near the wire you need.
Marty
For my tach, I took switched power and dash lights from the old radio wiring (since my new radio doesn't need it). Blue w/red stripe is dash lights, not sure of the other wire color. For the ground, find a screw to ground it to the metal dash (I chose behind the instrument cluster where the other grounds are) just make sure it's clean and tight. Then for the coil lead, run it through the fire wall and hook it into the neg wire on the coil. The large plastic clip on the coil will say TACH near the wire you need.
Marty
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Northern Illinois
There is no power at the cluster lights unless you turn your lights on. This would mean you would have to turn your lights on when you want the tach to work.
Why not just get a test light and find a hot wire with key in run mode at the fuse block?
Most tachs are a simple 4 wire installation.
Colors should be but not always are:
Black=ground
White and I think some used Blue= lights
Green= negative side of coil
Red= 12 volt from ignition switch
These are general colors as some tach manufacturers used a different color. More than likely there should be some directions with your new tach.
Why not just get a test light and find a hot wire with key in run mode at the fuse block?
Most tachs are a simple 4 wire installation.
Colors should be but not always are:
Black=ground
White and I think some used Blue= lights
Green= negative side of coil
Red= 12 volt from ignition switch
These are general colors as some tach manufacturers used a different color. More than likely there should be some directions with your new tach.
Postmaster
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on the left side of the dash there should be a yellow, flat connector with 3 female bullet connectors. Located behind the light and wiper switches. It is switched 12V power. Unless you have an accessory like cruise control or interval wipers, it is probably empty. Just get a crimp-on bullet connector and plug it in. No splicing.
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Originally Posted by 76supercab2
on the left side of the dash there should be a yellow, flat connector with 3 female bullet connectors. Located behind the light and wiper switches. It is switched 12V power. Unless you have an accessory like cruise control or interval wipers, it is probably empty. Just get a crimp-on bullet connector and plug it in. No splicing.
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Originally Posted by 77fordguy
cool - I do not have interval wipers so that should work out fine, thanks
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...rd_pickup.html
