Ducati Sporting Club UK > Model Specific - Discussion, Technical Problems and Help > 998 / 996 / 916 / 748 > 998 Rev-counter problem - can anyone help?

[spinoli1]

Hi Ducati Gurus, your assistance is needed.

Half way through my ride today my rev-counter gave up the ghost.

It registers between zero and 1.5K rpm, no matter what revs the motor is turning.

Everything else is fine - in fact it's running really sweet.

Being a bit of an electrical baboon, and not having a 998 manual to assist, I'm not sure where to start on this.

Does anyone out there have any helpful suggestions.

[Shazaam!]

Electronic tachometers give erratic readings when their base voltage is low, usually caused by a loose or corroded electrical connection.

Usual suspects:

Most likely - Intermittent power or earth connection
Next likely - Intermittent rpm signal connection
Least likely - Tachometer internal problems


Since the bike is running OK, the RPM sensor gap, the sensor itself, and wiring back to the computer are not the problem. So, you need to check all the connectors between the computer and the tach. Check for a loose or corroded electrical connection at the battery, the fuse, and any in-line connector. Remove, clean and tighten the two battery connections first, next the connector at the instrument cluster, then at the fuse, and lastly at the wiring harness connections.

If you fail to find a problem, try to borrow a tach to verify that it’s actually the problem, before buying a replacement.

[Totto]

Yep as Shazzm says , i had similar probs with my 998 tacho I traced it to a faulty earth due to a light bulb wire touching the headlight surround !

[spinoli1]

Thank you Shazaam and Toto,

Will check all the connectors this week-end.

I've heard that Ducati installed a new design tacho on the 998, which was prone to failure. And that Ducati has replaced these with the old style item, when needed.

Do you know of this occuring in the UK, or is it just an American thing?

Spinoli

[Totto]

My tacho was replaced like for like

[Nattyboy]

Spinoli..have a brand new in the box 916 tacho (original item with 'ducati racing' on it) in the garage if you need it..

Cheers
Nat

[antonye]

I had the same on mine - turned out to be the earth on the battery was not seated correctly even though it appeared to be. Just unscrewed it and did it up again and it went away.

[BDG]

Originally posted by Nattyboy
Spinoli..have a brand new in the box 916 tacho (original item with 'ducati racing' on it) in the garage if you need it..

Cheers
Nat

You must have some garage, you seem to be better stocked than Ducati Manchester

[Nattyboy]

Originally posted by BDG

You must have some garage, you seem to be better stocked than Ducati Manchester

My own little aladdins cave BDG..!!!

Cheers
Nat

[spinoli1]

Hi Nat,

I'm interested in your spare tacho - I do hoard stuff for that big bad day.

Is it a straight swap onto a 998? (The ECU on the 998 is different)

How much do you want for it?

Feel free to get in touch on:

richard_breeze@jordans-jsy.com

or

spinsown@hotmail.com