Installing Gauges (Temp, Volt & Oil pressure) 2.1

[Zeitgeist 13]

10mm x 1.0
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[AndyBees]

Yes, that would be a good place to check the oil temp. If I am not mistaken, that would be the temp of the oil prior to it going thru the cooler or filter.

I would remove the plug to see what the thread is and go from there.
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful.

[Kippsy]

What are your thoughts on taping in to the available port on the left of this pic to instal an oil temp sensor? Would this work? Would I just unscrew the bolt in in this spot and screw in a 1/8th temp sensor and run a cable to a powered gauge at the dash to get a more accurate understanding of my oil temps? Running an AAZ 1.9 with Turbo in a 82 Diesel

_________________
82 Canadian Diesel Westy / Quality German 1.9 AAZ with oversized pistons w/ stock Turbo & Giles Performance pump and matching injectors, 2.5 spiral flow stainless exhaust, K&N air filter plumbed in D pillar. &. 87 Syncro hard top Vanagon GL transporter w/ 2002 EJ251 2.5L Subaru Outback motor and AA transmission running on 16’s

[AndyBees]

[crazyvwvanman]

The ignition switch black wire circuit has NO FUSES and shouldn't be used in that way. It could melt something, cause a fire, or stop the engine from running. If you must use it then make sure your added wire has a properly sized fuse right near where it connects to the black wire. Better to get power from a fused circuit in the first place.

Mark

[AndyBees]

Skelly,

Remove the steering column cover and take a look at the electrical connector that plugs onto the ignition switch, bottom right.

Then, take a look at the wires. There will be at least one black wire in the bundle. It will be a source of "switched" power. Follow it as far as possible under the dash. Look for a place to splice into it for your "switched" power to the ATF gauge...
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful.

[skelly]

[AndyBees]

[AndyBees]

[dhaavers]

^^^ Show/compare your digital for accuracy? Inquiring minds...

- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[AndyBees]

Well, I've settled on a Digital Oil Pressure Gauge without the Warning feature. I've been using one of them in my 84. The flashing light and warning buzzer would drive me nuts... I just want to see pressure at the low numbers without all the fanfare.

Anyway, in the meantime, I did some gauge testing and comparison yesterday. I have a USA made VDO gauge that I've used for years to test fuel injection systems on VWs, primarily the CIS systems. I found the gauge to be very accurate per the specs of the systems I was working on.

This is the "mechanical gauge" that I had originally considered installing. It looks to be fairly accurate across the sweep.... (Made in Germany, NOS from a local source)

_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful.

[AndyBees]

[Skidub]

On a related note, can anyone confirm which fuse numbers are switched power on, i.e hot when the key is in the ignition and turned? One of these would be the likely spots that I would install an add-a-fuse in order to power a couple of gauges. I think I used fuse 18 to do an add-a-fuse for my LED Headlight DRLs. Are there other spots? Thanks.
_________________
86 Syncro GL Tin Top
Subaru 2.5L Swap
Rblt Transaxle w/ R Locker + Decoupler

[AndyBees]

Well, thus far, this has been a good discussion with lots of valuable information.

I agree with the draw-backs of the mechanical oil pressure gauge. However, VDO doesn't offer a Digital gauge. And, if you notice, the vast majority of analog gauges do not begin to show pressure until 5 to 10 lbs, which seems to be useless if the engine, at operating temp, is idling less pressure than what the gauges can show. So, I intend to go with a Digital gauge.

As for view location of the gauge(s) being monitored, well my intent has more to do with learning and knowing those base numbers. Any location is better than none at all. I have a Scan Gauge in my other Van, but it is not mounted anywhere for easy view. So, I guess that's all a bit of personal preference.
_________________
'84 Vanagon Tin-top, ALH TDI, two trips to Alaska, 2014 & 16. 1989 Tin-top unmolested.
1983 Air-cool, 225k miles, 180k miles mine, seven trips to Alaska from 1986 thru 2003. 1975 Bay hopeful.

[Zeitgeist 13]

[bluebus86]

[bluebus86]

[Energy Concepts]

Zeitgeist 13 wrote:

You'll want to connect the voltmeter to a switched source of 12v + unless you add a toggle; otherwise you're just adding a voltage drain when the engine is off. Personally, I'd be leery of running an oil tube all the way to the front of the car, not only for the concerns about leaking but also accuracy. I've had very good luck with VDO electric gauges on many different vehicles. Just curious, why are you adding a coolant temp gauge...or did you mean oil temp?

I have my (electric) oil pressure gauge on the rear oil gallery plug.
And, I'm questioning it's accuracy!

Is there a way to double check what's "really" going on?

Maybe a second gauge installed at the front?

Thanks!
John

[tjet]

The VDO sender warning light switch output (W), activates around 7psi & less.

I don't think I would regard that as a nuisance if the light comes on, but that's just me.

Now, the original "high" switch on the digifant, that one I ignore, & that's why I got rid of it.

[Zeitgeist 13]

Indeed, which can cause needless panic and anxiety since a WBX can easily tolerate much lower hot idle pressures than most other engine types.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?