Printer Friendly Forum Posts - virtual tach reliability?

Just completed an Avital 4113 remote start install on a 2006 F150. I ran the tach wire, however the system powered right up on the first try with the default setting of Virtual Tach. I have since started it successfully about 6 times with no issues at all- no over-cranking or stalling. Let it run for 10 minutes with no shutdown and it is quite cold here today. Before returning it to the customer, I was wondering what you all thought about leaving it on Virtual Tach? Just nervous about the dreaded follow up phone call with issues. Thanks

I only do it as a last resort. I always use the non-common injector wire.

I've had a car here and there not start by using virtual tach....so just stick with the injector wire. It's not hard to do. Using virt tach is just lazy in my opinion.

i agree tach is the only way to go

all the installs i have let go out the door that i havn't done tach have came back

Injector wire ALWAYS

a 2006 F150 huh? can you post the wiring diagram you used for it.

I have to install one in a 2006 F150 FX4 Supercrew

its not that bad to be honest I would never do a tach in new GM because its a waste of time never had a problem with GM however on fords its a must and even with the tach theres still one or two that give me issues I try to do tach as much as i can lets not forget the car that the boss takes 2 hours before we close and you still have to finish the car your working on that leaves you with only one hour to do a RS posted_image

dtk1] wrote:

its not that bad to be honest I would never do a tach in new GM because its a waste of time never had a problem with GM however on fords its a must and even with the tach theres still one or two that give me issues I try to do tach as much as i can lets not forget the car that the boss takes 2 hours before we close and you still have to finish the car your working on that leaves you with only one hour to do a RS

That is true, on some newer GM's, as soon as the car see's ignition and accessory powered, it automatically powers the starter. So with that, you don't even have to connect starter or tach.....technically.

cobrar980 wrote:

That is true, on some newer GM's, as soon as the car see's ignition and accessory powered, it automatically powers the starter. So with that, you don't even have to connect starter or tach.....technically.

How does the R/S handle this, when the vehicle fails to start properly? More over, how does the vehicle handle this, when it fails to start properly?

-------------
Ideal - cmon dude, add to topics in a useful manner, not stuff that is obvious.
Story - Phzzzt! Hey, what happened?! ... Isn't it obvious?
Moral - Never dismiss the obvious.

loneranger,

There's a good post on here somewhere, from a year or to ago......search for something like "tach vs. voltage sense vs. crank time."

For the record, I've had DEI's virtual tach in my 5.7-liter, 112,000 mile, '96 Roadmaster wagon and it works great. I would imagine it would be even better in newer cars.

I also have Audiovox's "crank averaging" voltage sensing system in my 147,000-mile, 3.8 liter '96 Camaro, which also works well.

We've had temps down to the teens here in New Engand, too.

All the manufacturers seem to be improving their tachless technologies all the time.

ive had very good luck with the virtual tach ive done a bunch of Kias , Suzukis and some trailblazers with it and no problems so far its gone down to the single digits here in mass

-------------
If i Can't Install it I Don't need it Joe

i prefer to use a good valid tach source whereever possible, but i find the new DEI units are erratic on learning tach... some just wont learn an injector or tach source for some reason so we use "virtual tach" and i have yet to have one come back to me with problems....

-------------
Kevin Gerry
Certified Electronics Technician
MECP First Class Installer

Owner/Installer
Classic Car Audio
since 1979

i had the same problem with some ford crown vics and expedition the injectors don't work the cars that i done are on 98 to 2002 that i had problems with so i just do voltage sensing and never had any come backs with this type they start the first time some dei and other alarms don't detect this type of voltage because is not ac they used 12 bolts pulses

"virtual tach reliability?"

Of course NOT. It's a bit of work to hook up the tach wire, but you will sleep better. I have not done an install without hooking up the tach wire. Here is my logic. If the engineer behind these remote starter unit has enough confidence to say the technology behind the virtual tach is reliable, they would have remove the tach wire design off the remote starter unit. Until they do, I would make the tach wire connection for a piece of mind.

-------------
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. posted_image

I tried the "virtual tach" for a couple cars and had nothign but problems. Like just crank the first go and then not start but then would start on the second go around. In my eyes that is not a working r/s so its nothing but real tach for me. I actually think I might trust voltage more than virtual tach.

Just did a remote start in an 06 ford escape and i'm glad i ran tach on that. let it sit out overnigth and the difference in crank time was huge.. i doubt virtual tach would have compensated but i'll tell you that crank time wouldn't have been right lol.

-------------
2008 Dodge Ram 1500
MECP Certified Advanced Installer CEA 191700

I do tach exclusively, when temps get down to -20, I just don't trust virtual tach.

-------------
Brent Haugen
Fargo, ND

supposedly the virtual tach was engineered in canada where it is not uncommon to get temps -20. Although i still religiously use a tach wire! ive got a 5101 in a 06 corolla coming back tomorrow for no strarts. i think im finally going to try virtual tach and see how it goes. posted_image