Dakota dash issue

[1986grandNash]

Hi I have a 1986 gn and I just installed a vhx Dakota digital dash. I noticed the tach is not working and I also don’t see the check engine light when I put the key forward. Does anyone know what the issue could be? And when I wired it I ran the pink/black wire to Acc power. My other question is do I need to wire the brown voltage regulator wire together with the pink/black battery voltage wire for the alternator to charge? Because my alternator not charging.

 

[SFI Cutlass]

I think theres another small box that comes with those gauges that get wired to the tach signal then into the Dakota digital. On the charging wire you do not want to do 12 volts for excitation you’ll burn out the alternator you have to either wire inline a resistor or wire the 194 charge light bulb inline for the alternator to charge.

 

[1986grandNash]

194 charge light bulb? I seen one bulb with 2 or 3 wires connected to it. It lights up when you crank the car, then shuts off when it starts. Are you referring to that one?

 

[SFI Cutlass]

Yes the charge light bulb. Stock i believe ignition power goes to it and then goes to excitation for the alternator, if the alternator goes bad it turns into ground and lights up your charge light letting you know the alternator is not producing power.

 

[1986grandNash]

Yes the charge light bulb. Stock i believe ignition power goes to it and then goes to excitation for the alternator, if the alternator goes bad it turns into ground and lights up your charge light letting you know the alternator is not producing power.

I’m a little confused on what to do. How do I wire it up?

 

[SFI Cutlass]

 

[hawkfan]

I’m a little confused on what to do. How do I wire it up?

You have to add a resistor across the wires that would normally go to/through the bulb. The original bulb socket has a ~ 475-480ohm resistor in it. I think you can also use this as an alternative:

field fix harness

You also need a tach interface:

tach buffer

 

[1986grandNash]

I figured out my voltage issue. I ran the resistor wire between pin 3 and pin 15. Thanks! Now I need to get the tach working

 

[hawkfan]

I figured out my voltage issue. I ran the resistor wire between pin 3 and pin 15. Thanks! Now I need to get the tach working

Cool. Glad you got the charging issue resolved. Don't forget to set the odometer like I did. You only have a certain amount of miles before it locks it out. I think the only way to get it set now is to send the control box back to Dakota Digital. Still kicking myself for that.

 

[1986grandNash]

Cool. Glad you got the charging issue resolved. Don't forget to set the odometer like I did. You only have a certain amount of miles before it locks it out. I think the only way to get it set now is to send the control box back to Dakota Digital. Still kicking myself for that.

Haha I just set it now thanks man