Seahag1978 Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 I stopped at a stop light this afternoon and my tach was keeping perfect beat to the music on the radio. It's mostly rising and falling with the vocals, right down to the syllables as they are sung. It's pretty funny... acts just like an equalizer. I only does it when I'm stopped with my foot on the brake, the engine rpms stay constant. Is it just happy, or did a ground go astray somewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Interesting - have a look under the disty cap and see if there is any play in the shaft. Jumpy tach can be from the shaft bearings getting sloppy. Might be the alternator too so check alt output and verify there isn't any AC comming from it. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahag1978 Posted September 7, 2006 Author Share Posted September 7, 2006 Might be the alternator too so check alt output and verify there isn't any AC comming from it. GD The little gauge that shows me the volts stays constant on 12. How do I check the alternator for AC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Do you have a multi-meter? If not, you can probably stop by an Autozone or the like and have them check your alt for free. If you do, set it for Alternating Current, and test across the battery, or off the back of the alternator and to ground. There should be no AC output. Harbor Frieght usually has digital multi-meters for about $5. Very usefull for an older subaru owner. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baccaruda Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 I would suggest that you inspect and augment the major grounding points on your car. Also consider splicing into the radio's ground and instead of letting it ground through the harness, consider running a shorter ground driectly to the chassis somewhere... When I have my cigarette-lighter cell phone charger plugged in, my radio is more staticky. I could ground the cigarette lighter more heavily and probably end that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbone Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 I say, crank up the radio and see if the tach jump higher! Of course, following the above tips would be a good idea also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffast Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 sounds like grounds to me but i also like turbone's suggestion:headbang: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daeron Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 what does it mean when you get AC voltage out of your alt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted September 7, 2006 Share Posted September 7, 2006 Bad rectifier in the voltage regulator. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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