I'm the new owner of a 1994 dodge dakota (auto transmission). The tachometer hasn't worked since I got it this past Sunday. I did some searching and found suggestions to check the fuses, which I did, and they all look fine. I've also seen suggestions to remove the dash to pull out the cluster to replace or fix the tachometer. Is there anything else externally I can check before tearing into the instrument cluster?

 

my 90 also has the same issue. when you take it apart all you will see is two pins that go into the back of the tac, not much you can do in there. does yours move at all? If not then maybe you can check the voltage on the pins maybe clean the pins. mine moves to 1500 and sits there whether idle or going 65 am convinced it has to do with the sending side of the equation but never could get a answer where and what sends it the signal.

 

Nope. It doesn't move at all.

I haven't gotten my Haynes manual in the mail yet, but how difficult is it to remove the cluster? I'm not worried about bolts and screws, it's cracking panels, and popping wires/switched out of the dash I'm worried about.

 

Hardest panel to remove is the top one, you'll have to flex it some to get around the steering column. The rest is easy.

 

I took the dash apart today to replace some light bulbs. I still couldn't fix the tach. Most posts I find online say the connectors just need cleaned. I blew most of the dust out with compressed air, but the tach still doesn't work. It works sometimes, and most of the time when overdrive is off. What else should I look at?

 

Did you try and download the factory service manual for your truck? The manual is for 96 but most of the info is the same for pre 96's.

 

Yes. Downloaded it and looked at the tachometer testing section. I have no idea how to test the terminals it says to.