RPM Meter (Tach) wiring question

[762mm]

For some time now I have had my RPM meter go almost completely "kaput" - it works very erratically, and doesn't show the right RPMs most of the time. So, today I went out and bought a "Sunpro Super Tach II" external RPM meter ($50 - supposedly a very good meter), and want to install it this weekend (I need it, because I think my transmission is shifting weird nowdays, and I believe it's still on warranty after a recent rebuild).

Anyway, the tach wiring is pretty straight forward, except for the "green" tach wire - it says that on my explorer I have to solder it to the "Powertrain Control Module on the firewall" to a "tan/yellow stripe wire". Can someone point me in the right direction for this? I checked my Ignition Coil connector wires, and I can see two (visible) tan wires - one with a green stripe, the other with an orange stripe - no yellow. Plus I would much rather prefer to connect it somewhere inside the truck rather than to drill/pierce through the firewall, I figure there must be a location inside/under the dash where I can accomplish the same thing...? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

P.S. I checked with Ford, and if your stock RPM gauge fails, it is non-serviceable - You basically need to order the whole new instrument cluster (speedometer, RPM, fuel, etc) and they will need to attest and adjust your mileage on the new cluster - the whole procedure is $500+ if you want it done... and that's through a guy I know who works there, and gets a discount.

 

[Turdle]

You have a pm

 

[762mm]

Replied to your PM, thanks. I still would like to know where would be the best place to find the tan w/yellow stripe wire though to connect the tach, the gauge looks kind of cool up on the pillar, lol!

 

[Turdle]

Probably directly from the pcm harness---near the large firewall plug.

Look along your kick panel--you should find a rubber grommet with cables or wires running thru firewall--just poke that wire thru there--

I might be wrong, but you may have other issues that will prevent this from working.

 

[ugjdturner]

If you don't mind pulling the gauge cluster on one of the wire connectors in the back of the cluster you will find the tan/w yellow wire

 

[mace]

re

my tach is erratic or dead half the time. 2 years or so now. I looked into the after market ones. i found online, the Equus brand has this inductive clamp that can go on a spark plug wire, much like the old timing lights. Not sure if this is a good product, but I may give it a try.

 

[ugjdturner]

I have no experience with that tach but you will still have to drill a hole in your firewall to hook it up like that. Your diagram shows a hard wire option also which you could do behind the instrument cluster.