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WonderinMan Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2018 Posts: 74 Location: Santa Fe, NM
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 2:22 pm Post subject: Coolant Temp Meter Conversion to Oil Temp? |
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Hey all-
Just installed a second oil cooler, taco plate, and oil temp sender after the ring on the #2 cylinder shit the bed and dumped oil into the cylinder (compression was at like 20 or something, while 1,3, and 4 were between 135-140)- I think the ring gave out due to high temp (damn aircooled engines ).
Anywho, I converted the stock 82 dash cluster that replaces the clock with the tach and a GW harness upgrade, to which the tach and fuel meter work well. Now, I was thinking of using the unused coolant temp meter for the oil temp, but just unsure about resistances and if this is even possible. Does any one have a lead on how to make this work, maybe adding some resistors in-line? Is it possible just to plug and play (I don't think it will be this way, but heres to wishful thinking?!)? Any help here is appreciated- wanting to stay away from non-stock meter options, so if I can utilize the coolant temp meter I'd rather do that.
Thanks a bunch! _________________ |Imogen - '82 Westfalia|
Sooooo (air)cooooool(ed)!
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dabaron Samba Member

Joined: June 21, 2018 Posts: 1660 Location: Philly, yo.
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 2:30 pm Post subject: Re: Coolant Temp Meter Conversion to Oil Temp? |
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not sure if this will help you...
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=464113 _________________ 1991 Vanagon GL Camper
150Ah LiFePo (driver well)/Renogy DCC50S/100W mono panel
*witty quote about Vanagon* |
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WonderinMan Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2018 Posts: 74 Location: Santa Fe, NM
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 2:43 pm Post subject: Re: Coolant Temp Meter Conversion to Oil Temp? |
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Yep, this is what I found so far- I think I'll check to see if the resistance of the sender is around what is listed in this thread as a start (good advice). Thanks! _________________ |Imogen - '82 Westfalia|
Sooooo (air)cooooool(ed)!
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MarkWard Samba Member

Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 14080 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 3:53 pm Post subject: Re: Coolant Temp Meter Conversion to Oil Temp? |
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If you use the coolant temp sensor just installed in the oil system it should be plug and play. You won’t have numbers, but most engines will run the gauge just above the light which is roughly 190f. Oil will run hotter, but I doubt it will peg the coolant gauge in normal operation. _________________ 1982 Vanagon Camper with ALH TDI.
1990 Vanagon Camper Syncro.
In Car https://youtu.be/5hbfdUJR88Q |
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WonderinMan Samba Member
Joined: March 25, 2018 Posts: 74 Location: Santa Fe, NM
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Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2020 4:07 pm Post subject: Re: Coolant Temp Meter Conversion to Oil Temp? |
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MarkWard wrote: |
If you use the coolant temp sensor just installed in the oil system it should be plug and play. |
Its an oil temp sender, not coolant... I'm not sure that the threading would have been the same anyways. _________________ |Imogen - '82 Westfalia|
Sooooo (air)cooooool(ed)!
Priors:
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|'62 Splitty Bus|
|'68 Beetle| |
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MarkWard Samba Member

Joined: February 09, 2005 Posts: 14080 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida
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Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2020 8:07 am Post subject: Re: Coolant Temp Meter Conversion to Oil Temp? |
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WonderinMan wrote: |
MarkWard wrote: |
If you use the coolant temp sensor just installed in the oil system it should be plug and play. |
Its an oil temp sender, not coolant... I'm not sure that the threading would have been the same anyways. |
Let me rephrase that, you can use the coolant temp sender in place of an oil temp sensor. They are both resistance to ground sensors. The coolant temp sensor will fit a female 1/8" NPT fitting. That's likely what you have. If not, there are adapters available. _________________ 1982 Vanagon Camper with ALH TDI.
1990 Vanagon Camper Syncro.
In Car https://youtu.be/5hbfdUJR88Q |
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