How to check RPM with no tach?

[mtpathy]

i am trying to check my engine rpm, my tach has been out for a loong time. i am not sure how to get a reading on my meter with this truck. its a 94 se v6. Thanks

[Simon]

What type of meter is it? Many types work similar to a timing light where the lead simply clamps onto the #1 spark plug wire.

[mtpathy]

i have a digital multimeter that allows me to read rpm, but the directions say to hook the red lead to (-) side of the coil, and ground the black lead. i am not sure where the coil is or if i have a standard coil. i traced the wire from my distributor to a block like thing on the passenger side, but it dont look like a coil to me. so i am wondering where to hook my lines. it does not say anything about hooking to a spark plug.

[88pathoffroad]

Follow the coil wire from the distributor.

[Slick]

coil made simple..... (the black thing toward the lower part of the pic with the white nissan logo on it)

Edited May 21, 2007 by Slick

[mtpathy]

so what, is there a "negative side" to the coil i can attach a lead to, like an older style coil. one of the wires coming out of the back side electrical connector or something?

[88pathoffroad]

Start the engine. Probe both wires at the coil to see which gives you an RPM reading. There you go.