So I notice from time to time that when I rev the engine freely, that the tach needle will not have a smooth motion, its kinda jumpy. Almost like the signal cuts out.

I have not noticed any poor performance, just a visual thing. Any ideas?

 

Sounds like the needle-movement is going bad. Could be the signal too, but I think then you would see the LCD display's data go out at the same time. You can find the steps to get into the cluster's diagnostic screen on this forum to get to the test mode where it will run a full sweep the gauges. See if that movement is smooth or jerky. If it is jerky then you will probably need to replace the tach assembly (or take it apart and try to figure out the problem or lube it).

If it seems smooth, dig further into that diagnostic mode and bring up the digital RPM gauge and watch that to see if the actual data received at the cluster seems correct.

 

Do you happen to have that link handy?


Ive noticed it twice in the past 2 weeks or so. So it isnt a constant occurrence.

 

Mini just did this the other day but mine was related to the fact that the timing chain was all screwed up. Once I had it fixed it is working fine again.

 

I dont believe it's timing chain related..

 

Your probably right but, I know what it looks like because that happened with mine not to long ago.

 

Happened again tonight. Came home from work, then left for dinner an hour or so later. Erratic movement lasted about 30s then smoothed out to normal. Noticed it when I let the clutch out to back up, then it happened again when I revved the engine freely.

Stumped...

 

Time to get it looked at by a mechanic. Mini specific so that you can find out what it is. Might just be a sensor or it might be something bigger. Don't wait on it.

 

Bump!

Anyone else experience this? Way, have you run across this issue at all?