kwilson.90

Thanks for the reccomendation. Where can you purchase a this from? Is it pretty easy to learn to use, for example with this tach issue?

GTA_Driver

Ross-Tech is your source. Not cheap, but it's a worthwhile investment. Any time your car malfunctions, this is your first tool (what the dealer charges $100 to run diagnosis).

It's not for novice, but coding for the instrument cluster is easy enough. They have a page here, scroll down to the Instruments section.

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/audiB5.html

turbo510

You can get by for much less, especially for your '97. You can see USB-OBDII cables on Ebay for less than $20, just register your software with Ross-Tech and you'll have diagnostic ability that you never had before. Your friends will be impressed when you casually hook your Audi to a computer, and then turn on the fuel pump or cooling fan from the keyboard like its no big thing to you.

kwilson.90

Thanks for the help. I will certainly be purchasing a VAG-COM and cable!

As far as the issue with my Audi, since this is likely an issue with the tach there is no harm is driving it at such high RPMs?

GTA_Driver

Unless someone changed the ratios in your transmission or differential, I doubt it's actually turning at 4K.

how does the engine sound? Does it sound loud and strained? If not, you're OK.

kwilson.90

The only thing that points to high rpm is the tach, definitely doesn't act or sound like it is working that hard.

Thanks again to all, I will post the outcome of the VAG-COM when it arrives.