How to Connect a Tachometer on the 1999 or 2000 Civic

Connecting a tachometer on a 1999 or 2000 Honda Civic is not difficult with a small amount of wiring experience. The most popular position for the tachometer on these cars is the A pillar. This is the plastic piece on the side of the windshield. The dash on a Civic is soft and unsuitable for mounting a tachometer. The tachometer should be easy to see without obstructing your field of view.

Things You'll Need

• Wire cutters
• Wire crimper
• Box of male and female blade connectors
• Electrical tape
• Quick splice connectors
• Electrical test light
• Pliers

Instructions

1. Read the tachometer instructions for calibration techniques. It either has a switch in the rear of the tachometer or three wire loops used to calibrate the tachometer to 4-, 6- or 8-cylinder engines. The switch is evident; just move it to the proper number of cylinders. Cut two of the wire loops for a four-cylinder engine, but which color to cut is in the instructions.

2. Separate the four wires from the tachometer. There will be a green wire, which is the tachometer pickup to the engine, the red wire, which is the main power wire, the black wire, which is the ground, and the white wire, which is the backlight for illumination.

3. Pass the green wire through the firewall using a convenient grommet for access. Look for a single blue wire with a small silver stripe and a female connector located on the driver's fenderwell. Strip the insulation off the end of the wire using the wire cutters and install a male blade connector. Crimp it with the wire crimper and plug it into the blue wire connector.

4. Locate the cruise control under the dash on the left side of the steering column. It is the only small 3-inch square box. Turn the ignition key on and test the wires for power with the electrical tester. Make a note of the wire with power. Turn the key off and test the wire again to make sure it has no power with the key off.

5. Place a quick splice connector over the power wire on the cruise control box. Place the red wire in the quick connector and squeeze the blade down with pliers. Snap the cap over the blade.

6. Place another quick splice connector over the tachometer red wire close to its connector to the cruise control. Insert the white tachometer wire in the quick splice and squeeze the blade down to lock the two wires in place. Snap the connector's cap over the blade.

7. Locate a good ground in the form of a screw or bolt under the dash. Install a ring connector and crimp it with the wire crimper. Remove the ground screw and place the ground connector under the screw. Tighten the screw firmly.