Hello all,

I have a 2006 Mini Cooper base that has a temperamental tachometer. It sometimes has power (when it does, all its lights work and the needle moves normally), but just randomly decides to turn off in the middle of driving. Sometimes it will work the night before and then the next morning it won't work when the car is started. My speedometer and all its functions are completely fine, the only malfunctioning instrument is the tach. I was thinking it might be a loose wiring connection in the back. Any ideas on how to fix it and what else it could be?

Thanks!

 

I have the same issue with my Tach/speedometer pods on the steering column.

Randomly they will lose power for a few minutes (backround lights still work)and then the power comes back just for the trip computer and odometer. Tachometer and speedometer will work if I turn off the car for about 10 minutes.

Sometimes twisting the gauges gets them to work, lol !

Prince of Darkness at work....

 

Did either of you find a resolution for this problem? I have the same problem with my 2006 R50.

 

Nope, I usually twist the gauge pod when it acts up and it is fine for a few weeks,

I think the permanent fix would be to replace the gauge.

 

It is most likely a ground fault, due to corroding ground wire. You may need to add another, or find the wire that is doing it. under the carpet, near the tunnel, there is a block that has many ground wires on it. It gets wet and corrodes!

 

I'll give it a shot (twisting the pod) to see if I can get it working long enough to pass inspection. Then I'll have time to start to look for the possible ground fault. Thanks!

 

Did any of these things fix your tachometer? How do you twist the gage? Isn't yours bolted to the steering column?

thanks,
Peter

 

I wound up up buying a used tach on eBay for about $65. It was easy to switch out. It’s worked well but now the ABS and tire pressure lights come on although the tires are inflated to specs.

 

Quote: I wound up up buying a used tach on eBay for about $65. It was easy to switch out. It’s worked well but now the ABS and tire pressure lights come on although the tires are inflated to specs.: End quote
The problem is most likely one of the ABS wheel sensor failure. Do a OBD2 test to find out which one. (it may also be the ABS pump, or wiring issue) I find, it is usually the front diver side ABS sensor.

 

Thanks. I’ll run the OBD2 again. Nothing came up a couple of days ago, but truth be told, I took it to Autozone to check it...

 

Part store scanners cannot read any of the Mini Coopers fault codes outside of the engine's ECU, and even then it's a crap shoot to read those correctly.....

Bryan

 

I will take a stab at this. Given the age of the vehicle and the hot climate it lives in, and the fact that twisting it momentarily fixes it, it is possible that it has a cracked solder joint on the Tach's circuit board. Modern electronics were forced to switch to ROHS compliant solder because of EU regulations. This solder replaces the Lead with Antimony and is less toxic to people. Unfortunately, it is not as pliable as Lead and so can tend to crack with heat cycling and vibration at a much higher rate than old school Lead/Tin solder. The most famous occurrence of this was the first iteration of the XBOX 360, which would run hot and then crack the joints. It can be fixed though, by reflowing the board. I would do this with a hot air rework station to try to get the joints to melt again and then solidify.

 

I'll take another crack at this. Replace the tachometer again. They are terrible. Mine caused so many hidden problems it boggles my mind.

I unplugged mine and the CVT shifting and engine problems went away. Years ago, people said the tachometer should result in a class action law suit.

Try unplugging it and see how things go. If okay, try another tach.

good luck,
Peter