Bouncy Tach when hot

[echrisconnor]

New problem. When my car starts to get warm, the tach needle starts bouncing around. Good power, the car runs strong, no stumbling. I haven't checked the ponints gap though.

Any thoughs... CDI, point gap?

[jdowty3]

1 vote for a failing voltage regulator. Common symptom.

[javadog]

Clean and adjust the points and if it still persists, check the charging system voltage when the tach is acting up.

JR

[Fidalgo911S]

Not wanting to high-jack, but....I get the same problem when the tach gets hot (i.e. direct sunlight on the dash). Also, when I start the car, the red light stays on until I rev to 3000 rpm. Is that an indicator of a voltage regulator failing too?

[echrisconnor]

Potentially problems in the VR or charging voltage...? Hmm, so just lay a volt meter on the system while driving and see if I'm getting spikes or drops in voltage? What would make the tach bounce? I'm not having any other electrical issues now.

PS. I'll check points gap first, since that was what I was thinking anyway.

[David E. Clark]

I agree with JR. Set the point gap and check it using a dwell meter. Make sure the points are clean (wipe some paper or an index card between them) and check and clean all electrical connections. Finally, check to make sure the voltage regulator is operating correctly. If this doesn't cure the problem, you may want to consider an optical pickup sold by our host here.

[echrisconnor]

Is the VR check just to see if I'm getting over 14 volts?

[javadog]

Pretty much. If you can, rig up a voltmeter in the car and check to see if the problem with the tach correlates with any over-voltage episodes, as measured by the voltmeter.

I'd still clean and adjust the points first.

JR

[plain fan]

On my 78 SC this problem was followed by a complete failure of the CD unit. I certainly hope it is just a voltage issue and not your CD unit.

[SCHNELE]

Pretty common sympton for a faulty voltage regulator, I had the opportunity to experience this first hand last year.

[rnln]

Mine has similar but diff sometimes. When it happen, does the engine run diff or just the tach meter bouncing?
My car has similar problem when getting hot, not all the time, but not only the tach meter is bouncing but the engine rev funny too. It acts as you are steping on the gas pedal and let go and keep continue doing it. Tach meter jump up and down between 800/900 rpm to close to 2k rpm.

[SCHNELE]

The VR is failing and as it gets hotter both from the engine and overcharging it causes the seat belt light to come on and the tach to bounce in most cases.

[bigchillcar]

points point points. this is always what my tach does when points are either dirty or starting to close..
ryan

[jdowty3]

Get a Pertronics Ignitor and eliminate the points variable altogether.