Tachometer
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 26
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I did not create this info, but I did copy it from this forum because I also have a 02 f150 4.2 L engine that needs a tach. I can't remember who wrote it , but they did a great job. I could not get the pics to show up here, please try to find the original post. I bought a tach at O'Rileys auto parts, but I have not yet tried to install it. I have been looking for instructions like this before doing it. Good luck.
Wiring a Tachometer using the PCM
*NOTE*: Only attempted on an 02’ F-150 v6 (4.2L) >>
Things Needed:>>
1. D-Sub Connecter(Female)– you need the pins : $1.98 @ radio Shack>>
2. #30 drill bit>>
3. Tachometer>>
4. Extra wire>>
5. About 30-40min>>
Wiring a tachometer, first things first put it where you want it. Where ever you install the tachometer isn’t part of this How-To. That part comes in the instructions with the tach. Alright let’s get started.>>
Running the wires.>>
On the floor board of the drivers side toward the fire wall there should be a grommet about 1 to 1 1/2 in is size. It’s kind of hidden behind some of the flooring cover. That’s where I ran my wires through the firewall rather that having them going through the drivers side door to the engine compartment. If not run them how ever.>>
Wire hook-up’s>>
Following the directions provided by the manufacture.>>
(Wire colors may vary)>>
Wires provide by the tach. I bought tachometer at ORiley’s auto parts for $30, they have two for that same price I wanted the smaller one but they were out so I got the bigger one, and I gotta say I’m happy with it now. Okay back to the topic. Open the fuse panel below the driver’s side dash. The fuse diagram is in your owners manuals, if not I’ve scanned them.>>
White – connect to dash lighting v12 fuse>>
Red – connect to +v12 fuse (only when key is on, radio, lighter)>>
Black – ground it to the firewall.>>
Green (tach) – goes to negative side of coil, duh! (Keep reading)>>
On the back of the tach. That I have has a switch to select between 4cly, 6cly, 8cly. And of course it’s a 6cly so go figure. If you own a vehicle when ford started putting EDIS (Electronic Distributor Ignition System) in the cars, in other words no distributor is need, just more wires and sensors and expensive coil packs are needed. Anyways after research and countless hours reading forums and looking at wiring diagrams =) hope you enjoy.>>
To the PCM !>>
The PCM (Power Control Module) it’s located on the passenger side firewall, behind the battery. To gain actress to the connecter remove the battery. And unlighted the fastener that has the connector connected to the PCM. On the connector it has a cover covering the wires connected to the connector, it’s black. Remove the cover. Once you remove the cover you can see the numbers on each side of the connector. The one you need to locate is pin hole #48, if you already have a wire coming out of #48 just splice to it. BE SURE YOU DUBBLE CHECK THE PIN #. Because the wrong splice can cause havoc on your wiring system and cause things to fail for unknown reasons. Once you’ve located the right pin hole you need to drill through, be careful as possible. Use a #30 dill bit. Take a paper clip, or safely pin and push the FOD (Foreign Object Debree) out of the pin hole, make sure you get it all b/c it will be a pain when you put the wire through. Crimp the female connector on the tach wire. On the other end open it a little so that the pin doesn’t push the connector and the wire back out. Install the cover back on the connector and fasten the fastener back down on the PCM connector and reinstall the battery (ground first).>>
My Lovely Tach. Only $30
The ground and the tach wire. (blue=ground, green=tach).
This is what the back of the connecter should look like where all the wires go in to it. Locate pin #48 and drill (straight) threw but only enough so that you have a hole for your wire. Don’t go all the way threw. Using a paper clip or something small enough to go in the hole from the front and push the stuff from drilling out. Take the D-computer pin and your tach wire and crimp the wire to the pin. Insert the tach wire in the hole you drilled and look at the front and make sure the connecter pin is open like the others next to it. Then plug it back in and reinstall everything. (Be careful there are a lot of wire around
Wiring a Tachometer using the PCM
*NOTE*: Only attempted on an 02’ F-150 v6 (4.2L) >>
Things Needed:>>
1. D-Sub Connecter(Female)– you need the pins : $1.98 @ radio Shack>>
2. #30 drill bit>>
3. Tachometer>>
4. Extra wire>>
5. About 30-40min>>
Wiring a tachometer, first things first put it where you want it. Where ever you install the tachometer isn’t part of this How-To. That part comes in the instructions with the tach. Alright let’s get started.>>
Running the wires.>>
On the floor board of the drivers side toward the fire wall there should be a grommet about 1 to 1 1/2 in is size. It’s kind of hidden behind some of the flooring cover. That’s where I ran my wires through the firewall rather that having them going through the drivers side door to the engine compartment. If not run them how ever.>>
Wire hook-up’s>>
Following the directions provided by the manufacture.>>
(Wire colors may vary)>>
Wires provide by the tach. I bought tachometer at ORiley’s auto parts for $30, they have two for that same price I wanted the smaller one but they were out so I got the bigger one, and I gotta say I’m happy with it now. Okay back to the topic. Open the fuse panel below the driver’s side dash. The fuse diagram is in your owners manuals, if not I’ve scanned them.>>
White – connect to dash lighting v12 fuse>>
Red – connect to +v12 fuse (only when key is on, radio, lighter)>>
Black – ground it to the firewall.>>
Green (tach) – goes to negative side of coil, duh! (Keep reading)>>
On the back of the tach. That I have has a switch to select between 4cly, 6cly, 8cly. And of course it’s a 6cly so go figure. If you own a vehicle when ford started putting EDIS (Electronic Distributor Ignition System) in the cars, in other words no distributor is need, just more wires and sensors and expensive coil packs are needed. Anyways after research and countless hours reading forums and looking at wiring diagrams =) hope you enjoy.>>
To the PCM !>>
The PCM (Power Control Module) it’s located on the passenger side firewall, behind the battery. To gain actress to the connecter remove the battery. And unlighted the fastener that has the connector connected to the PCM. On the connector it has a cover covering the wires connected to the connector, it’s black. Remove the cover. Once you remove the cover you can see the numbers on each side of the connector. The one you need to locate is pin hole #48, if you already have a wire coming out of #48 just splice to it. BE SURE YOU DUBBLE CHECK THE PIN #. Because the wrong splice can cause havoc on your wiring system and cause things to fail for unknown reasons. Once you’ve located the right pin hole you need to drill through, be careful as possible. Use a #30 dill bit. Take a paper clip, or safely pin and push the FOD (Foreign Object Debree) out of the pin hole, make sure you get it all b/c it will be a pain when you put the wire through. Crimp the female connector on the tach wire. On the other end open it a little so that the pin doesn’t push the connector and the wire back out. Install the cover back on the connector and fasten the fastener back down on the PCM connector and reinstall the battery (ground first).>>
My Lovely Tach. Only $30
The ground and the tach wire. (blue=ground, green=tach).
This is what the back of the connecter should look like where all the wires go in to it. Locate pin #48 and drill (straight) threw but only enough so that you have a hole for your wire. Don’t go all the way threw. Using a paper clip or something small enough to go in the hole from the front and push the stuff from drilling out. Take the D-computer pin and your tach wire and crimp the wire to the pin. Insert the tach wire in the hole you drilled and look at the front and make sure the connecter pin is open like the others next to it. Then plug it back in and reinstall everything. (Be careful there are a lot of wire around
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Joined: Sep 2006
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