Dakota tach not working, fixed.

[badyellowvette]

Just posting in case someone is having problems with their Dakota tach. Mine was working odd, only the first two lights were flashing when running. Then I happen to notice that the high beam indicator was flashing at the same rate. I had bought PCB boards a few weeks back (thanks parts king pin) because of a starting problem, which it fixed. But I never replaced the left side board. Just replaced it and it fixed my tach. Maybe this is common knowledge about this problem but a quick search did find anything on it.

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

Electrically there is nothing in the left hand pcb on the handlebars that should effect the operation of the annunciator, which is a seperate board from the Dakota Speedometer unit.
The speedo drops in and the annunciator surrounds its. Tach, oil pressure, turn signal indicator etc
I would watch for issues, especially loose wires -- loose battery connection will drive the annunciator crasy and can fry it -- ask me how I know.

 

[badyellowvette]

Electrically there is nothing in the left hand pcb on the handlebars that should effect the operation of the annunciator, which is a seperate board from the Dakota Speedometer unit.
The speedo drops in and the annunciator surrounds its. Tach, oil pressure, turn signal indicator etc
I would watch for issues, especially loose wires -- loose battery connection will drive the annunciator crasy and can fry it -- ask me how I know.

You were right, it was working at idle. Finally got to take it for a ride still not working. Any advice on where to look?

 

[Coolbreezin]

Years ago my annunciator ring wigged out. Swapped it and all was well. It was a very small connection finally broke free. Couple years ago I put in a Dakota speedo but kept the same ring. Ring recently started wigging out again.

 

[Jersey Big Mike]

You were right, it was working at idle. Finally got to take it for a ride still not working. Any advice on where to look?

I'd look where all the wires come out of the backbone and head to the ehc and check for anything frayed -- I had one not long ago that was driving the bike insane. If not there you are going to need to pull the tanka nd check the wires underneath the tan and see if anything rubbed there.
While you are testing wires it would help to have someone else there to wiggle them while your checking them to see if its a break you might not be able to see easily or at all.

 

[badyellowvette]

When I installed my DOC's system I when to extreme measures to protect those wires so I would never have to take the tank off again. I will eliminate everything else first or run with a tach.

 

[Mickmorris]

When I installed my DOC's system I when to extreme measures to protect those wires so I would never have to take the tank off again. I will eliminate everything else first or run with a tach.

There you go. Some ghosts are just meant to be. Great to hear you made special efforts to ensure the harness was protected. Always a bummer to drop the tank unnecessarily.