How do I open my tach without breaking stuff?

[58Custom]

Last time I drove the 1969 Midget the Smiths tach started operating intermittantly. I found that if I pressed on the wires going to it that it would work. I pulled the tach out this evening and noticed that the male bullet terminal seems kinda loose. Does this terminal solder into a PB board or something? I can't tell from the outside. I would like to open the case and take a look at the connections to check for problems but I don't want to turn the wrong screw or mess anything up. Any sage wisdom?

 

[DrEntropy]

It'll be "crimped" to a PC board inside, most likely with a rivet. First step is to TRY turning the chrome bezel to line up its tabs to the cut-outs in the "can". That can be tricky, but patience is helpful. Remove bezel and glass carefully... Then remove the two screws at the back that have lock washers under 'em. This frees the innards so you can access the board. Be careful removing the guts, as the needle can be bent easily. There are a number of good references here on the forum, chief among them are the PDF's Doug Lawson (dklawson) has links to:

https://www.britishcarforum.com/bcforum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=152595


<span style="font-style: italic">EDIT: And welcome to the forum! You'll find this place to have many folks with great advice. Usually very quickly. </span>

 

[jlaird]

X axcto knive or some such thin blade under the chrom Bezil all the way around to un stick the rotten seal will help.