I am installing an aftermarket tach on my new 2004. It didnt come with one as an XL model.

Anyway, I got power, lights and ground taken care of. However, I cannot for the life of me find the wire to hook up the actual RPM reading.

Each spark plug has it's own coil and none of those wires worked. I tried the wiring harness to the instrument panel thinking it should have a universal harness considering the multiple applications of instrument clusters. No wires worked there either.

I know this tach will work, it worked on my 98, I found the wire with the application guide. The new 04's arent on this application guide.

So, does anyone have any idea where...or have a wiring diagram or service manual for the new 04's?

 

I hate to even get involved, after the runaround I got on this. I was told several different things, that did not work. YMMV

Do a search for adding Tachometer in this forum. You might get the answer. I tried the methods suggested here, then when no real success, I put in a FX4 IP. Looks awesome. Works great.

Other possiblities
Autometer sells a device for about 50-80 bucks that works as an adaptor. They say it will work on our trucks.

I also have a Scangauge, $99 from www.scangauge.com that reports tach, and gas mileage. And a dozen or so other things that you may not use.
It will remove and read codes too.
Hard to find a good place to mount it. I have it fasted facing up just below that opening next to the airbag key. Thinking of designing a better looking box for it, as it's a little plain. I don't need it for the tach, but I'm addicted to the mileage/trip function.

Sorry I can't be more help,
Chris

 

I imagine the xl has the capability to start up with the display in test mode like the other trucks do? (hold the trip odo reset button in while starting your truck. the display will go to test mode. pushing the odo button will cycle through many different data you can see. about 4 or 5 pushes gives you a digital Tach. It's a pain in the butt, but it'll give you a tach when you need it until you get a permanent solution worked out...

 

you need a tach adapter. all 99+ Fords need one. i have one for ya if your interested. $50 and i also had the wiring diagrams. IT WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT A TACH ADAPTER

 

Ford motorsports tach driver. Gotta get this due to you have no distribitor.




http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts...tKeyField=5454


Cost like $69. I had to get one for my 02 Focus and my 99 Mustang. Hooks up to your crank positioning sensor and power wires I believe.

 

With investing in all those add-ons, you would probably be better off just buying a used XLT, FX4 or LARIAT cluster and installing it in your ride!

 

I eventually found out I need a tach adapter. Thanks for the info guys. Should be installed by next week.

 

Can anybody provide a listing of what the different codes mean.

Also when I get to the oil display it shows "000". What is this trying to tell me.

Looks like the coolant display must be in "centigrade".

Merry Christmas to all!:santa: