Yes, this is normal.

--
Tony
my boats at http://t.thomas.home.mchsi.com

"~Sam~" wrote in message
...
I have a 100hp Mercury outboard and have noticed that the tacho is showing
some reading when the motor is stopped. If I turn the key to the "on"
position the needle will return to zero, but when I turn the key off the
needle will creep back up to usually between about 800 rpm and 2000 rpm.
When the motor is running the tacho works fine. I was wondering if this is
normal for outboard motors???? Thanks..... Sam.