My 1968 E type OTS tachometer has become erratic. It works, apparently registering correctly the RPM and then suddenly just stops, dead. It then may start again, work ok and then stop again. I think there is a loose connection somewhere. So, I checked the connections at the coil, plug and socket assembly, and fuse # 7. It did not change.

Then, some nice person ran a red light and almost hit me, so I tried to honk at him. The horn did not work. Probably lucky, I might have been shot. Those redlight runners have their rights! Now, I've noticed that when the tachometer is working, the horn will honk (if I push the switch), but not when the tachometer is not working. I think the horn is fuse # 8 (according to my wiring diagram).

Is there a common ground or some other connection I should be looking for?
Thanks,
Charles Peterson

68 E-type, Seattle

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Sun, 12/08/2002 - 20:24

Good- Nothing like 30 years experience huh! You do not have a short. Replace the fuse box. This box gets 90% of the work.

George Camp

Submitted by LazyMD@msn.com on Sun, 12/08/2002 - 18:37

You are correct.
I finally pulled the fuse and one end of the metal strip inside the fuse was loose and intermittently making contact. The brake lights were also not working. I'm lucky I did not get rear-ended, or picked up by the cops! I hope there is not a short down the line somewhere which caused the fuse to go bad. So far, so good.
Thank you,
C.A. Peterson

68 E-type, Seattle

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Thu, 12/05/2002 - 19:42

You are in the right area-if you check when the tach is out so are your brake lights. If the fuse is good there is a huge chance the fuse block has become weak. Inspect it closely and you will see a probable melting of the plastic that holds the blades. This is the most worked fuse block on the car and with time they get weak and do not fully hold the fuse. Good luck

George Camp