I am wondering if anyone has experienced this problem and knows what the problem is:
Have a 1994 VX, runs good. With the ignition key in the OFF position, the Tach Needle shows 0 RPM, but when I turn the key ON, it reads 1500 RPM. Start the car and it reads 1500 RPM, even when it is warmed up, the engine sounds like less than 1000 RPM but the tach still reads 1500 RPM.

When driving, the tach is very slow to go even up to 4000 RPM, I know it has long gears but I am in 2nd and doing 60MPH and it still shows 4000 RPM.

I found the wiring to the back of the cluster, the tach wire is blue, I guess in the wiring connector to the right of the cluster.. What is wrong?

Also, do the distributors go out on these cars? the power is good on this car, but every once in a while, it seems like it looses its "performance curve" or ignition advance, by backfiring..

 

Since the tach goes up even when the engine is not running, that is almost certainly a malfunction in the tachometer head itself.

 

Took it to a shop and they said there was a short in the tach, so I guess I need a new or used cluster.

 

You might try taking the tach out and resoldering it's circuit board, like you would do a main relay.

 

Never did that before. But the mains crack from heat and quit working. The tach works but does not display the correct reading of engine RPM.