Tachometer stopped working while driving?

SCOTTY G 1962

MEMBER
2013 HYUNDAI ACCENT
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
148,000 MILES

Hello,

Last night while driving on the freeway with cruise control on I experienced my car "lurching" briefly then the tachometer dropped to zero. I was able to drive the remaining 15 minutes or so home without incident and after arriving home I shut off the car then restarted it and the tachometer started working again. I also went out this morning to start the car and the tachometer is working. What could be the possible reasons for this to happen and until I can have the car diagnosed is it ok to drive it or is there a real possibility of the engine stopping?
Thank you.

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Wednesday, July 12th, 2023 AT 8:01 AM

12 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,949 POSTS

Yes, this sounds like the crankshaft angle sensor is going out. We should run the codes though. this guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Here is the location near the starter and how to change the sensor out. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.

Images (Click to make bigger)

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Thursday, July 13th, 2023 AT 11:26 AM

SCOTTY G 1962

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7 POSTS

Thanks. I went to Oreilly, and they put the code reader on it, but it didn't show any errors. The tachometer dropped out again as I was driving home and so did the engine power for about a sec (like taking foot of the pedal). I am going to get my own code reader so I can plug it in and let the engine run until it happens. I will look into the sensor you mentioned.

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Thursday, July 13th, 2023 AT 12:15 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,949 POSTS

When this sensor goes bad it may not leave a code FYI. You may have a PCM or instrument cluster going out. If you are going to get a scanner, can I recommend a CAN scanner? These are much better and will do all the systems in the car, it is much more complete and will go through the cluster as well. You can get a CAN scanner (Controller Area Network) which will work on most cars from Amazon.

here is a video to show you how:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Here is one for about $99.00 if you need it:

https://amzn.to/3ZixY4v

Please go over these guides and get back to us.

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Friday, July 14th, 2023 AT 8:50 AM

SCOTTY G 1962

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7 POSTS

The scanner I ordered and received lists CAN as supported.
My main concern right now is drivability of the vehicle, I'd hate to lose power and have no powering steering while on the freeway. If it is the instrument cluster I imagine driving is not and issue as far as engine stopping?

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Friday, July 14th, 2023 AT 9:59 AM

SCOTTY G 1962

MEMBER
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I just tried it. Idling in the garage for 15 minutes no issues. I backed out and was going to drive around the block. When I put it in drive within about 5 seconds the tach dropped to zero, felt the slight lurch. Parked it and went to restart it and got the check engine light when trying to restart. I would not start until I gave it some heavy pumps of the accelerator pedal then it started. I checked the code reader, and it said Crank Shaft Position Sensor.

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Friday, July 14th, 2023 AT 10:36 AM

KEN L