GL1500 Tach 'Gone Wild'

968 Views 6 Replies 5 Participants Last post by DBohrer, Aug 6, 2009

deno55

Discussion Starter · Jul 31, 2009

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Couldn't get the search to work for me today, so I hope this isn't a repeat topic. I bought a 1989 GL1500 a couple of months ago. This week, the tachometer started acting all crazy. It would max out, even though I'm not winding it out at all, just normal acceleration. It acts like it's reading about double what it should, even when cruising down the highway. Engine sounds normal, not 6000+ rpm at 55 mph in top gear! I thought about checking the cable, but suspect a bad cable would show up as a zero rpm reading, so haven't looked at it yet. I'll probably have some time Saturday to look into this, so any ideas anyone has will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

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papasmurf

· #2 · Jul 31, 2009

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HI DAVE: Had same problem with tach in our truck. They're electronic; it's most likelyyourswent electronically kaput. You MIGHT try local speedometer rebuilder[who may also do tachs]as they may have a way to bench test/troubleshoot it. Might have to find another: new or used. TTFN & GOOD LUCK.....Old Tom

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deno55

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 1, 2009

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Well, this morning the tach is acting normal again. I took it out for about a 20 minute ride and it never acted up once. The wife and I are heading to Lafayette in an hour, so it'll get a good check out then. If it is the tach, I'll probably just do without for now.Our other two bikes (cruisers) don't even have tachs, so it's not a big deal to me.

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SpiderBob

· #4 · Aug 1, 2009

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Sounds like it might be the ground wire between the tack terminal and ground. But to check it you have to remove your dash. It could very well be he Yel/Blu wire on the tack is corroded or just lose. At any rate, you have to get to it to check it out properly.

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Derek Hackett

· #5 · Aug 1, 2009

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had tha same problem in 1997 on a gl 1500 the tacho was earatic etc as yours. My bike started to have flat batteries so changed problem continued and finally the alternator stopped charging! a couple of quid later and new brushes and have never had a problem again! could be the same?

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deno55

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 2, 2009

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Great info. Loose ground would sure explain it. BTW, the trip to Lafayette and back today was about 2 hours total road time - not one problem with the tach. I guess I'll wait until the problem shows up again to try to figure out how to get to those wires.
Thanks.

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DBohrer

· #7 · Aug 6, 2009

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deno55 wrote:

Couldn't get the search to work for me today, so I hope this isn't a repeat topic. I bought a 1989 GL1500 a couple of months ago. This week, the tachometer started acting all crazy. It would max out, even though I'm not winding it out at all, just normal acceleration. It acts like it's reading about double what it should, even when cruising down the highway. Engine sounds normal, not 6000+ rpm at 55 mph in top gear! I thought about checking the cable, but suspect a bad cable would show up as a zero rpm reading, so haven't looked at it yet. I'll probably have some time Saturday to look into this, so any ideas anyone has will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Dave

There are only two wires on the Tachometer. Green wire is ground, yellow/blue wire connects to the engine control module.

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