dRock's Tach FAQ

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For Non-Marauder -05 panther owners, the ability to monitor engine RPMs is lacking with the factory instrumentation.

The following documents installation methods of a tachometer in ‘92-‘95, ‘96-‘97, ‘98-‘02 and 2003-2005 panthers (specifically, the CV/GM)
Note; an 03-04 MM or 06+ panther cluster w/ tachometer would require more extensive modification - this write-up is for installing an aftermarket tachometer.

• Materials:
• -Electrical tape
• -Heatshrink tubing - 10-20 awg sizes
• -12-18 awg wire, preferably in different colors
• -3/8" wire loom
• -Assorted female and male spade terminals
• -RTV silicone
• -Assorted bullet connectors
• -Autometer 9117 Tach Adapter (98+)
• -Tachometer (see below)

• 1992-1995 panthers do not need a tach adapter for a tachometer install.
• You should source the tach signal from the tan/yellow stripe wire at terminal #2 of the EDIS module.
• The wire is PCM is sensitive to signal noise on this wire, so make a nice clean tap and run your wire well.

• 96-97 ALSO do NOT need a tach adapter to wire in a tach adapter.
• 96-97 owners can drill out the blank fill on pin 48 on the PCM harness/connector
• As it turns out, this pin is actually the output for the tachometer for similar year 4.6 Mustangs as well. Our panthers (-97) just had it covered up as a tach was not used (obviously)

• 98+ cars need a tach adapter for tach signal
• I would recommend an Autometer 9117 tach adapter. FRPP also makes a tach adapter which many have used with great success.
• You will need to wire the tach adapter inline of the factory COP power feed
  • it is a red wire with light green stripe.
• This is best accomplished at the EEC power diode, which is located on the LH fender well relay block, seen here:

• Slide the relay bank up and unclip the top to expose the wiring. There is a in and out for the PCM diode, you want cut the R/LG wire upstream of the EEC Diode.
• You will see two r/lg wires on the single connector - you will want the one which is closer the vacuum reservoir when installed.

• The wire you see with the white splice connector is the incorrect wire, as Embassy found. The Wire with the two blue connectors is the correct one.
• The tach adapter's RED wire connects to the lead right off the EEC diode. The Tach adapters RED/GREEN wire needs to be routed to the other end of the wire you just cut. This end is downstream of the tach adapter.
• THe Gray wire goes from the tach adapter to the TACH (again, set to 8cyl). The BK wire goes to ground.
• The tach adapter can be mounted in a few spots nearby.
  • The -97 power steering reservoir location (see above thumbnail) is a good choice
  • you could also mount it to the backside of the relay center

• You can still tap the EEC Power diode for a 03-05 w/ autometer adapter install.
• The diode was relocated to the battery junction/power distribution box starting the 03 model year.

• You can also splice into the CKP sensor wiring if our tach adapter requires. THe CKP wire colors are BK/PK for positive and GY/YE for negative (on a 2003 that is) should you decide to jsut tap it off from there.

• Most tachs will have an illumination feature. This is desirable for night-time driving.
• I suggest sourcing illumination feed from the nearest lit switch.
• FOr most years, this will be the rear defrost switch.
• 01+ can use the Power adjustable pedal switch (if equipped) illumination feed, or the TRAC off illumination. The rear defrost can also be used, but is located further away on 01+
• I like using any of these, as it is VERY close to where you will be putting your tach - It is dimmable w/ panel dim switch - and is fused.

• THe tach's switched 12v power can be sourced from a number of places. I personally prefer the instrument cluster circuit, as a tachometer is instrumentation and this circuit is powered only with ignition.

  For 1992-2002	w/ analog dash	This is a R/Y wire feeding off fuse #13 on interior fuse panel
  For 2003-2005	w/ analog dash	This is a R/Y wire feeding off fuse #26 on interior fuse panel
  For 1992-1997	w/ digi-dash	DB/LG feeding from fuse #18 on interior fuse panel
  For 1998-2002	w/ digi-dash	BK/WH feeding from fuse #18 on interior fuse panel
  For 2003-2005	w/ digi-dash	BK/WH feeding from fuse #14 on interior fuse panel

• THis circuit is fused as well.
• Ground can be sourced at a sheet metal panel near the tach location (using a ring terminal and sheet metal screw), or at a factory ground point (many available in close proximity)

• All wires you should be run away from moving parts, and kept as short as possible to reduce signal noise. I like to use wire loom whenever possible
• I recommend soldering then heatshrinking (is that even a word? oh well lol) each and every splice/connection.
• I would also recommend that 98+ owners use weatherproof bullet connections on their COP wire tap. This will allow you to easily disable/return to stock.
• Most have found tHe easiest way to route the tach signal wire is through the shifter cable grommet. This will be the only wire to route into the cabin. Use an awl or similar to poke the hole.
• A minimum 16-18awg wire should be used.

• All of the gauge pod offerings which we can use require a 2 1/16" tach.
• This is the steering column pod, can be used on all 1995-2004 MM, CV, GM and TC:
  
  Image courtesy RocketCouch
  
  • Check out www.ADTR.net to order either the column shift, or floor shift variety.
  • Note; A VDO tachometer may not fit in the shallow autometer pod. A heat gun or similar may be used to deform/push out the back.
    • Autometer p/n w/ column shift: 15005
    • Autometer p/n w/ floor shift: 15011
• There is also an A-pillar gauge pod - also 2 1/16" and is available in dual or single pod variety.
  • this pod is designed for 2003-2004 Marauders, so it is a direct fit for all 2003+ CV/GM
  • This pod will also fit 95-02s with some slight modification in the form of trimming and a little molding.
  • Here is a picture of my single a-pillar Autometer pod, with VDO vision tachometer:
    
    
    • I used a heat gun to mold it to my a-pillar, then trimmed it to be a perfect fit and affixed the pod with the included fasteners
    • After drilling the holes to fish the wiring, I then sprayed the entire a-pillar with color matching paint.
  
  
  • Here is Embassy's dual a-pillar pod, with VDO vision and Volt meter gauges:
    
    (Image courtesy Embassy)
    
  • His install came out fantastic. If you click the image you can navigate to his A-pillar install album, with many more pictures.
  • Both the single and dual a-pillar pods are available at www.adtr.net
    • Autometer p/n for single pod: 10111
    • Autometer p/n for dual pod: 10110
  
  
  
• There is also the Mercury Marauder gauge pod.
  • It fits in place fo the ashtray, and provides two 2 1/16" gauge openings.
  
  Here is a picture of the Mercury Marauder gauge pod installed on my Marquis, neither of the pictured gauges are tachometers, but you get the idea:
  
  • This pod is a direct fit in all 1995+ panthers, provided you also get the bracket. It comes in black only, so color match is up to you.
    • Ford p/n: 3W3Z-5404810-AAB
  
  
• And of course, there is always a custom install.
  
  • Here is Dextrovic's very slick VDO trio:
    
    (Image Courtesy Dextrovic)
    
    
  • Affixed to the ashtray door is 3 color-matched VDO 2 1/16" gauge mounting cups, housing 3 VDO 2 1/16" Vision series gauges.

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Email me at dRock96Marquis@crownvic.net

 
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Page last updated: 3-01-2007