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Tachometer Needle Flickers and DSC off

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Old Mar 22, 2008 | 02:51 PM
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Tachometer Needle Flickers and DSC off

Okay need a lil help here, This morning while driving to work I notice my DSC light comes on and my Tachometer needle starts to flick (shoot up to whatever rpm I'm @ then drop down) Also my mph goes on & off. Any suggestions on whats wrong? Sounds like my Tach needs to be calibrated, and if so can I do that myself or do I have to take it to a shop? TIA

Derek
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Old Jun 12, 2010 | 12:03 PM
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mine is the same thing bro why is that did you figure it out?
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Old Jun 12, 2010 | 05:07 PM
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Check and see if ur battery terminals are secured.
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Old Jun 13, 2010 | 05:50 AM
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I've seen this behavior as well. Not often though, but it has happened. Would like some insight from someone else that saw it and fixed it.
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Old Jan 17, 2015 | 10:14 PM
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Thread revival

This happened to me today.
First time I've experienced it. It happened twice for a few seconds, then went away, but the DSC light stayed on until after I stopped.
Everything seems normal.
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Old Jan 18, 2015 | 06:48 AM
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I can create that effect. If break the connection between my ultragauge and the car, it will scan as soon as the power comes on. While it scans, it creates havoc on the bus. It looks exactly like what you describe. Same effect on the Mazda 6 when this happens.

I suggest that something is messing with the data bus for the instruments. Do any of you have an aftermarket device plugged into the ODBII port?
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Old Jan 18, 2015 | 07:55 AM
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Originally Posted by 04Green
I can create that effect. If break the connection between my ultragauge and the car, it will scan as soon as the power comes on. While it scans, it creates havoc on the bus. It looks exactly like what you describe. Same effect on the Mazda 6 when this happens.

I suggest that something is messing with the data bus for the instruments. Do any of you have an aftermarket device plugged into the ODBII port?
I have the Torque app for my phone, but I don't usually leave it connected unless it's hot out & I'm watching coolant temps.
No CEL, I thought about scanning the OBD but didn't. I assumed it wouldn't throw a code,
I'll check it this morning to see.
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Old Jan 18, 2015 | 09:25 AM
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Does the dongle stay connected? I had issues with my UltraGauge and the pins for the connector. It would flicker. Then it lost power and reset while I was driving down the road. I slightly bent one of the pins on my connector, and the issue seems to have gone away. One mod down the road is to hard wire it around the connector.
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Old Jan 18, 2015 | 09:49 AM
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It stays in the port, but it does seem to lose connection occasionally, & I have to reset it.
Would it cause that even if the app's not on?
Thanks for the input.
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Old Jan 18, 2015 | 10:07 AM
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Always clean amd secure battery terminals first on any weird electrical issue, especially gauge cluster related. This does NOT mean "glance at them"

Disconnect both, negative first, clean posts and clamps completely, reconnect positive first and make sure they are seated well before tightening. Don't just crank down on the clamps.

Posted From RX8Club.com Android App
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Old Jan 18, 2015 | 10:33 AM
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@ Big, I would say yes.

the Dongle is powered, and tied in. If it loses connectivity, it will likely try to regain it next time power is applied. The scan process looks a lot like what has been described here.
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Old Jan 18, 2015 | 10:37 AM
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Yeah, an OBD2 adapter can mess with the gauges too, I had it periodically with an ODB+Key bluetooth adapter.
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Old Jan 18, 2015 | 12:30 PM
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Ok, thanks guys.
I recently cleaned & tightened my terminals pretty good when I had my coil wire short issue, so I think it's more likely the dongle issue.
I'll doublecheck the terminals again, just to be sure.
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Old Jan 18, 2015 | 02:57 PM
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I've had this happen to me for no reason, until you realize that the real wheel slipped.
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Old Jan 22, 2015 | 06:52 AM
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Update

I took the dongle out of the port, & the issue has not come back.
Thanks for the input.
I'll try bending the pins a little & put it back.
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