I found a similar post from a year ago, but no one ever offered a solution. 83 22r, when the weather is cool (which doesn't happen often here in Ft Lauderdale) the tach acts odd. It will either stick at some number, like 2000 no matter if I'm sitting at idle or running 45MPH in 3rd gear, or sometimes it will sit at 0 (this is usually for a few minutes right after startup). By cool weather, I mean high 50s or low 60s, so not particularly cold for you northerners, but enough diff from the normal high 80s. When the ambient temp rises, the tach acts perfectly normal.

in my '79 sometimes the tach will read way high(like 6000RPM at 2000 etc) or shut off completely. i think it's a loose wire or dirty connection, if i give the top of the dash a whack with the palm of my hand, it usually sets things straight <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

My 83 does the same thing. It's a common problem in the 1st gen trucks. Colder it gets, the longer it takes to operate normally. I think the lube used in the center axis for the the indicator thickens up with age and puts extra drag on the pointer until it warms up.

Bob, that's an interesting thought about the lube, I just figured it was electrical, but the lube is a good idea. Maybe I can pull out the cluster and clean that crap off there and reapply some graphite or something.

If you do go in there, be gentle as the needle is extremely delicate. I've never heard of someone taking the needle off and it going back together in working order, cold or hot.

I just deal with mine,, goes away after a few minutes and I usually don't approach redline right after I start it up... usually. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

-Scerb

I get the same thing on my 95, but it only does it for a few minutes after startup and only at or near idle. Not the getting stuck at any RPM part, just the needle reading 0 RPM until the engine (22RE) starts turning at about 1500+ or it warms up a bit. I used to think it was related to my stereo (too much draw on the alt.) but I've noticed that with the cooler weather it doesn't matter whether the stereo is on or not.

I tried cleaning my '85 tach and it didn't really help. Granted, it can get to -40F here but still. The tach will sit at 0RPM until the cab warms up. Most any grease or liquid lube will end up thickening up with colder temps, so it may not be a good idea to lube it. I lubed mine with the tiniest amount of synthetic grease but no luck. The assembly is VERY fragile so be careful.