Mk2 8v GTi rev counter problem

[andydavey]

Just got hold of a 1990 Mk2 8v GTi and am having some issues with the rev counter. It's an intermittent fault, but more often than not the rev counter doesn't work (just sits there on 0 and does nothing). Seems to do it completely at random, having nothing to do with how I drive it. Is this a common problem? Any ideas on how to fix it? Cheers!

[lordbigsack]

Hi, I had this on my old GTI.  Mine fixed itself when I disconnected the battery to install an amp.  Coincidence? maybe, but my rev counter hadnt worked for over 6months before I had the battery unplugged.  Might be worth a try.

S 

[rubjonny]

yeah pull the dash fuse for 30 seconds, this usually fixes it.  If not check the braided eartth cable from the rocker cover to the coil bracket, and check all the wires to the coil!

[Agreeable Slick]

Worst case is that the cable is beginning to fray, and will eventually snap. It's not a major hassle, but just takes a bit of patience to replace it, as you need to thread the new one through the bulkhead and re-attatch it to the clocks.

[andydavey]

Cheers guys. Just read the "Common Problems" sticky and that says I might need to replace the dizzy? Or is that not relevant?

[rubjonny]

a faulty hall sender in the dizzy can affect the rev counter, but it would also make your car run badly!

[Simon8v91]

Its not a Royal Blue metallic Golf bought from Whitby that was on ebay is it?......(I bid for it too!)

Best thing to do is (as said) pull the MFA fuse for a bit and see if it works. 

Other ideas.. I once upset the rev counter when my coolant boiled over whilst trying to shift an air lock with the cap off.  Anyway the coolant upset the sensor on the top of the gearbox where the rpm signal is picked up.  I found giving the connection a good clean up with WD-40 and pulling the fuse for a while sorted it.  if not do a trace on this wire and look for bad contacts.

If other suggestions from other members do not solve it.  I think you should try some second hand clocks from ebay.  Rubjonny has an excellent guide somewhere that tells you how to remove the clocks (for bulb replacement I think).  If it comes to this you will see how fragile the circuitry at the back of the clocks is.  You may be able to swap the cellophane printed sheet at the back of the clocks but I am unsure about this.

[andydavey]

Which fuse do I need to pull? I looked in the FAQ and there seem to be loads of different ones for the dash, but the above replies make it sound like there should only be one?

[rubjonny]

depends if you have a pre or post 90, you know its the right one when the MFA goes blank

[lordbigsack]

Rubjonny has an excellent guide somewhere that tells you how to remove the clocks (for bulb replacement I think).

can you point me in the direction of this, my speedo bulb is out 

Sorry for hijacking thread

Ta,

S