OEM tach has to be from 4 cyl?

[macx]

93 2.3 5 speed. I read somewhere recently that all Ranger tachs were the same, it was an extra ground wire that was used for a V6 application that was the only difference. I checked, and being an original 4 cyl vehicle, didn't have that extra ground wire so thought I was all set.

Found an optional cluster out of a V6 Ranger with the factory tach and installed it. Tach reads low - by about 1/3rd which would seem to be more than just coincidence. Thought it was a tach problem, got ahold of a cluster from a V6 Explorer that the owner claimed had always worked, but that was worse. Other gauges work fine, just not the tach.

Took the cluster apart and the tachs out and looked at the backs. The V6 Ranger tach had a sticker that said "V6" on it. The Explorer tach had a bunch of extra electronics on the back of it.

So it seems there is more to it than just that extra tach ground wire that isn't used for 4 cyl app's.

Looking for some other folks' experiences and if I can use a V6 tach and am just not doing something I need to do to make it work right.

Otherwise, I've got a couple oem tach's for sale and still need to find a good 4 cyl Ranger tach someplace.

[pooleo]

theres a yellow knob on the back. turn it all the way to the left.

[macx]

Thanks!

I didn't see a yellow knob when I looked at it, but with me that doesn't mean much!

I was going to remove the tach anyway to see if that would have any effect on my constant on check engine light and no code situation that started when I installed the first V6 tach, being the tach feed comes out of the ignition control and ecu.

I'll post what I find out. Gonna go try it today.

[macx]

Took both tachs out of the clusters -

The 94 Explorer tach and the other out of a V6 Ranger, altho
not sure what year. I do remember it was the same Gen is all.
At the time I wasn't concerned cuz I'd read the only difference
was the extra ground wire that wasn't used with a 4 cyl vehicle.

No yellow knobs.

The first pic is the 94 Explorer tach - more electronics than on the Ranger tach.

The next 2 pics are of the Ranger tach - less electronics, and the sticker says "6 cylinder".

Unfortunately, no yellow knobs which would have probly solved my problem.

[macx]

I added a pic of the Explorer tach showing the additional electronics
on the back of the board. Very little of that on the Ranger V6 tach.

[pooleo]

I didnt realize you did not have a 95+ ranger. I have no idea on those

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signatures FTW!

[4b316]

They are on ebay now and then,I think my brother has one listed now from a 4 cyl

[macx]

I've been watching and not seen anything that would fit a 93 but 'll sure take a look again.

Thanks!