VDO GUAGES

[capri_rob]

New adapter arrived today - only marginally longer than the "short" adapter but will fit the temp sender now.


Had to put a couple of copper washers on the T piece to ensure the side connection point for the pressure sender was in the right place when fully tightened up. Not ideal but just have to hope it doesnt leak




Getting this leather-covered before the gauges go in.

[daimlerman]

Should be OK,I used a washer as a spacer below the crush washer to get the outlet in the correct place.
Seem to remember reading that this is usual.
There's a bit more room around the oil pressure switch on the M50,so I am not expecting the same problem!

[e301988325i]

That's tidy Malc,

My oil temp and pressure are both cappilary types meaning I've got oil pressure to the back of the gauge and a long bendy thermometer carrying expandable fluid all the way to the gauge as well. The gauge end is mounted in the side of the sump to get a true sump temp reading.

My oil temp/presure light sensor has a flexi lead from the block to a T-piece then the sensor and hard line. Your T-piece directly into the block is a tidier solution, think I shall be doing that to mine.

Sensors fitted very neatly for me.....

[Grrrmachine]

Rob, I see in your pic the big chunk wrapped in electrical tape. I take it that's the original pressure switch plug. Did the male spade connector go in there ok, or was there some bodging done?

[capri_rob]

retained the original rubber cover as you can see - inside there is a small block-connector connected to the wire with the spade terminal attached - then covered it in insulation tape just to be sure. Bit of a bodge TBH

One of these days I will invest in a soldering iron - either that or coax danthe round with some stella to do it properly.

I've loosely routed the wires to the sender along the existing route for the pressure wire, then round with the engine loom and through the bulkhead on the drivers side.

Realised today as I bought my gauges in the Audi Specific mounting they don't have the individual U shaped brackets to hold them in place in the E30 pod - will have to make some I think

Trial Run

[appletree]

Nice work, have you tested them yet? would be intrested to know what temps yours runs at.

[capri_rob]

Not yet - need to buy a soldering iron to sort out the wiring connections.

Have done the gauge pod though - put a piece of thin-foam rubber over the upper surfaces first and then covered it in leather



Just need to cut out the holes

Also realised that the carpet on the console is a bit too thick to allow the gauges to be seated properly with the wiring plugs on the back so will need to cut out a section under the ashtray to give enough clearance

[capri_rob]

Just thought I'd update this as my gauges are finally in and working :


With the setup I bought using the gauge pod to replace the Ashtray you don't use the plastic Audi fascia - but you do need to find a way to re-use the metal rear support which holds the gauges in place - without this you would need to make individual brackets.

I got round this by taking the outer pieces of the metal support off with the grinder


This is how it looks from underneath the console - its tight on the sides but it fits properly.

If you're using the gauge pod there simply isnt enough clearance without cutting the carpet underneath - you need to cut a rectangular section away directly under the ashtray aperture.


The finished article.

[Grrrmachine]

I'm impressed, you fit those in there very smartly!

(and I still have a set for sale )

[capri_rob]

It took a lot of fiddling and lots of trial and error - the console has been in and out numerous times but I'm very happy with the end result.

I don't smoke and don't allow passengers to smoke in my car so the ashtray was useless anyway - this looks so much better.

To do the gauge pod justice though you really need to cover it in leather - even if I'd repainted it black it wouldnt look as good as it does now.

I'm a bit gutted I had to cut the carpet but there simply isnt a way round it. The gauges arent that deep but by the time you put the wiring on the back the pod just won't sit flush with the carpet still in place.

[Grrrmachine]

I know what you mean, those VDO wiring looms do have a sizeable chunk of plastic holding the clips in.

I've seen angled spade connectors somewhere that let the wires come out at 90 degrees to the terminals; would that have helped the gauges fit, or are the terminals really digging into the carpet already?

[capri_rob]

I think even with the 90 degree connectors they still would be digging well into the carpet and the 2 x screws that hold the pod in place at the back wouldnt be strong enough to hold it down.

[capri_rob]

I've got enough leather and thin foam rubber left to do another pod - if anyone wants it PM me - enough to cover postage and a pint will do

[Kedge]

Not read all this thread but i'm now wishing i still had a spare pod!

Might have to get another made up.

[Duke137]

Not read all this thread but i'm now wishing i still had a spare pod!

Might have to get another made up.

Make that 2

[Kedge]

Not read all this thread but i'm now wishing i still had a spare pod!

Might have to get another made up.

Make that 2

I'll see what i can do, just got to hope they still have the CAD file.

[Jozi]

If you got a cad file could you send it to me? Want to make one up for myself, would save a bit of trial and error.

[Kedge]

I just took it to a machine shop and they copied the one i bought of Kos so i've never had a CAD file myself, was a good couple of years ago so clutching at straws with them still having it.

[Demlotcrew]

Theres a lot of bodging going on in this thread

[Duke137]

Theres a lot of bodging going on in this thread

We are all peasants

[DanThe]

Pass the sealer gun

[Demlotcrew]

The sealer gun?

[steve_k]

Not read all this thread but i'm now wishing i still had a spare pod!

Might have to get another made up.

if you do then could you please let me know??

been looking everywhere trying to find one but to no avail

[steve_k]

The sealer gun?

bathroom sealer/silicone sealer

[DanThe]

The sealer gun?

bathroom sealer/silicone sealer

Sorry, what I meant was 'motorsport bonding agent'

[capri_rob]

Theres a lot of bodging going on in this thread

We are all peasants

Can't beat a bit of bodgery

[steve_k]

thread revival time

(finally) going to be fitting the gauges myself, but i'm stuck on which amperage wire to use.

got everything from 3 amp up to 17 amp all insulated.

any ideas which would be best to use??

[Grrrmachine]

Not too hot on sizes, but I just used the same diameter as normal car stereo stuff - that's all they had originally. There's not much current going through them.

[steve_k]

Not too hot on sizes, but I just used the same diameter as normal car stereo stuff - that's all they had originally. There's not much current going through them.

cheers rich

i'm guessing 3 - 6 amp just to be on the safe side.

[steve_k]

just a thought, would i be ok to take power for the gauges from the cigarette lighter & power for the gauge lights from the ashtray light??

just trying to make the wiring as short & simple as possible.

[Grrrmachine]

Yes, that's exactly what I did for the lights. I think I got rid of the pointless rear ashtray light too, just in case.

But the cig lighter is permanently live, so it's not a great idea to power the gauges from there. Either take a feed from the Accessory socket or the stereo's switched live. I went a bit overboard and fitted a fused relay feed to power the cig lighter and gauges.

[steve_k]

just a thought where would you say is the best place to ground the gauges??