Installing Aftermarket Tach in 97 Sportster Need Help

[colo87]

Hey guys I am installing a tach that is really meant for a car in my sportster and everything is going well except for these 2 problems I have. First off it is an electrical gauge so there is a tach signal wire that normally goes into the ecu of a car. Where could I tap into to get this signal on our boats? If there is no place to tap into what would I need to do to make it function correctly? Second the gauge has LEDs and lights up when you start it so I need an ignition wire so when I start up the boat, it turns on. How can I get it to work with the sportster? Thanks for any help.

 

[colo87]

I got the gauge to light up properly now all I need is the tach wire on a 97 sportster to get it working. Anybody know which wire this is? Thanks

 

[Guruofsleep@aol.com]

wires, wires, everywhere

Here is a list of the wires and the color they are.
Many tachs will have different wiring, you will also need to set the tach for the proper number of cylinders your engine has, good luck.

PURPLE/GREY/GREEN Tachometer supply (RH)
PURPLE/GREY Tachometer supply (LH)
BLACK/GREY Tachometer ground (RH)
DARK BLUE Tachometer backlight (RH)
BLACK/GREY Tachometer ground (LH)
DARK BLUE Tachometer backlight (LH)
GREY/GREEN Tachometer RPM signal wire
GREY Tachometer RPM signal wire (LH)

 

[Dr Honda]

Here is a list of the wires and the color they are.
Many tachs will have different wiring, you will also need to set the tach for the proper number of cylinders your engine has, good luck.

PURPLE/GREY/GREEN Tachometer supply (RH)
PURPLE/GREY Tachometer supply (LH)
BLACK/GREY Tachometer ground (RH)
DARK BLUE Tachometer backlight (RH)
BLACK/GREY Tachometer ground (LH)
DARK BLUE Tachometer backlight (LH)
GREY/GREEN Tachometer RPM signal wire
GREY Tachometer RPM signal wire (LH)

The problem is, the SeaDoo 2-stroke boats use a high voltage mag/CDI ignition. If you hook an automotive tach up to that system, it could result in something burning up.

 

[colo87]

Got the tach workin great thanks for all the help guys....the wiring diagram was clutch btw

 

[Dr Honda]

OK... cool.

Are you going to tell us how? It will help others.

 

[colo87]

Sure, First you need to locate the extra wiring harnesses under the hood of your boat underneath the storage tray. (Mine were tucked in the side and I didn't see them for the longest time) In my 97 Sportster I connected the wires from the aftermarket tach as follows and I used all of the supplied connectors in the boat:

Tachometer Signal Wire: the single grey and green wire

For the next 3 wires locate the connector with the purple/grey, black/grey and blue/green wires in it.
Tachometer Ground Wire: Black/Grey wire
Tachometer 12V Constant: Purple/Grey wire
Tachometer 12V Ignition: Purple/Grey Wire (both with the same wire)

I'm not sure if there is a better way to wire it but my gauge works when I put the lanyard on and stays on once the boat is started which is exactly how I wanted it to work. Also remember to set your aftermarket tachometer for the right number of cylinders in the engine. In my case it was 2

 

[Guruofsleep@aol.com]

Tach and gauges

Glad it worked out for you. Keep use informed to how everything works out and if everything keeps working.