VDO REV COUNTER

[Brez]

Can any one help  me out with a problem on my VDO rev counter(1800 madness kit)

Started engine up for first time today all went well apart from rev counter not working.

All the little switches are in the right places on the back and have checked all the connation that i can all seem fine

i am sure that power is getting to it as it flicks up slightly when you turn the ignition on

but as soon as the engine fires up its as dead as a dodo

Thanks

Peter

[pgh]

I have a Smiths tacho so can't offer any specific VDO help, however, try the switches in different positions - the manual may not be correct, it wasn't for mine. Also try turning the pot to adjust the base speed, this may bring a reading up.

Good luck!

Paul

[Brez]

Thanks

Paul i will try different setting on the switches

about turning the pot to adjust the base speed,

can you explain a bit more never heard of this one

Peter

[conibear]

you need a resistor between live and signal wires, cant remember the size of resistor, if you do a search this information will be found.

[jak]

Yep, as conibear says you will need a resistor. Speak to Mark and he'll send you one FOC and tell you how to wire it. One day they might start sending them with the rev counters    

John.

[pgh]

Hi Peter,

The pot (potential divider I think, my electronics is rusty) should be somewhere near the dip switches - your looking for a small plastic contrivance that you can turn with a small screwdriver; most of the pots I've ever seen have a small slot with an arrowhead at one end.

Not sure on the resistor, Conibear is this a VDO specific thing? As you suggest, I'm sure a search will reveal all

Cheers,

Paul

[jak]

Hi Peter,

The pot (potential divider I think, my electronics is rusty) should be somewhere near the dip switches - your looking for a small plastic contrivance that you can turn with a small screwdriver; most of the pots I've ever seen have a small slot with an arrowhead at one end.

Not sure on the resistor, Conibear is this a VDO specific thing? As you suggest, I'm sure a search will reveal all

Cheers,

Paul

The resistor is only required for VDO rev counters. Don't mess with the settings on it set it for 4 cylinders fit the resistor and it will work. As I said, speak to Mark @ Westfield and he will sort you a resistor and tell you how to wire it. Mine worked perfectly after fitting the resistor.

HTH,

John.

[Brez]

Thanks All

will give Mark a ring tomorrow

Peter

[Peter M]

1k resistor across supply and tacho pulse connecter at back of rev counter (green wire and black/white wire)

[nikpro]

I had this problem but didn't need a resistor - if the engine revs don't go above 1000rpm the tacho would not read. If you 'blip the throttle to around 1500rpm initially, the rev counter comes to life and reads all the time; even down to 600rpm; it just requires that little 'kick start' to get it going. Likewise the alternator light doesn't go out untill the throttle is pressed for a fraction of a second.

[conibear]

it is not always required, it will depend on ecu and sensor as they all differ

[Peter M]

VDO rev counter fitted with 1800 madness kit MBE ecu normally requires the 1k resistor.

[MAT1800]

Hi,

I've also had problems with the VDO tachometer and Madness kit. I wasn't getting any readings on the Tacho at all, I'd read about some people needing a resistor as mentioned above, this was going to be my next step. However I took it to work one day, and in a moment of madness (  ) I decided to take the wires from behind the dash out of the plastic plug that came with the loom and fits into the back of the gauge. I randomly swaped them around, put them back into the plastic plug, then back into the tacho, and hey presto it worked, and still does, without a resistor.

So I would check the wires are in the right position in the plastic plug IYSWIM.

Mat.

[karlos]

1k resistor across supply and tacho pulse connecter at back of rev counter (green wire and black/white wire)

Resurrecting an old post here as I’m not so good at the electrical side of things so need a bit of basic help!  

I have the MBE ecu & it's not working...

So...  Does the green signal wire from the ecu need to be connected to the green wires at the back of the rev counter & then this 1k resistor go across the green & black/white wire?

Thanks  

[Peter M]

If I remember the green wire going to rev counter is the + supply the black/white is the pulse wire coming from ECU, the black wire is earth.The 1k resistor goes across the green and black/white wire.