hooking up gauges

toyman · Sep 25, 2011

ttocs said:
will the stock sensor not reading mess with the computer at all? Thanks for the pic, exactly what I needed.

The gauge temp sensor is for the dash gauge only. The ECT sensor (which must be used) is in the housing above the T-stat. Your water temp sending unit should just thread into the same opening as the stock one. There was a picture posted by det_riot that shows a probe with what appears to have a sealant on the threads. That's a big NO-NO. You need the metal to metal contact for the ground connection.

justi88 · Sep 25, 2011

Can anyone post a pic of that setup? Ive heard from everyone that i should just install where the oem sensor is on the manifold. Now you got me confused.... also I think you must need teflon to avoid leaks.

ttocs · Sep 25, 2011

justi88 said:
i unplugged it and didnt see any issues really.. do you know the fitting size for the probe?

it is an electronic sensor that looks to be just a tad larger then 1/4" wide.

I was going to use teflon tape as well but lookin at the directions the ground problem does make sense. Locktight or nothing?

Again anyone know where I can get oil pressure at?

castine917 · Sep 25, 2011

this is picture of stock location. by oil filter and water pump. ignore the contraption they built onto it. was best picture i found online showing location.

justi88 · Sep 25, 2011

ttocs said:
it is an electronic sensor that looks to be just a tad larger then 1/4" wide.

I was going to use teflon tape as well but lookin at the directions the ground problem does make sense. Locktight or nothing?

Again anyone know where I can get oil pressure at?

So i can install the my mechanical water temp where the old sensor was? you said something about doing the install on the thermostat housing?

toyman · Sep 26, 2011

justi88 said:
So i can install the my mechanical water temp where the old sensor was? you said something about doing the install on the thermostat housing?

Let's clarify some terms here. The gauge has a sending unit (not a sensor). The gauge probe goes into the intake on the driver's side just below the distributor. It has a single wire connection that just presses onto the sending unit. The PCM gets it signal from the ECT (Engine Coolant Temperature) sensor. That sensor is in the housing above the T-stat and cannot be removed. It is a critical sensor for the PCM.

justi88 · Sep 26, 2011

toyman said:
Let's clarify some terms here. The gauge has a sending unit (not a sensor). The gauge probe goes into the intake on the driver's side just below the distributor. It has a single wire connection that just presses onto the sending unit. The PCM gets it signal from the ECT (Engine Coolant Temperature) sensor. That sensor is in the housing above the T-stat and cannot be removed. It is a critical sensor for the PCM.

OK bro, so ill go ahead and install the autometer probe where the oem was on the manifold, thanks.

ttocs · Sep 26, 2011

can we confirm or deny the use of teflon tape on the "sending units"? I was going to do it but the pics do show the ground for the sending unit to go between the unit and where it is mounting.

Paul · Sep 26, 2011

Teflon tape or paste on the oil pressure and water temperature sending units.

Paul.

justi88 · Sep 26, 2011

Thanks Paul, i was getting confused on using or not the teflon

ttocs · Oct 21, 2011

finally got the energy together to try and tackle mounting the sending units. Of course, none of these are a direct fit. Where is a good place to look for the fittings needed and what are they called?

Paul · Oct 21, 2011

Pictures are back up in my thread, including how to install the water and oil senders.

http://sn95forums.com/showthread.php?19339-Gauge-Install-A-short-story-by-Paul-(with-pictures)

Paul.

ttocs · Oct 21, 2011

that helps, just need a friend with a cnc I guess...

Paul · Oct 21, 2011

No you don't. In that scenario, a bench grinder would work just fine. Or, just use a different fitting and it becomes a non-issue.

Hooking up gauges isn't rocket science, nor is it difficult.

Paul.

ttocs · Oct 22, 2011

it is a bit of a challenge when you don't know the difference between a -5 fitting or npt. Went to two different parts stores today and they were both as lost as I was.

det_riot · Oct 22, 2011

I got my fittings from oriellys in the ricer gauge section. i bought two packs of fittings. one was speciically for autometer oil gauges, the other was specifically for autometer water temp gauges.

Paul · Oct 22, 2011

What are the PN's of the autometer gauges you still need to install?

What problems, specifically, are you encountering, and with which gauges? What threads are the sending units that you're trying to install? Where are you trying to install them? Have you installed any of them yet? Do you intend to keep your OEM sending units as well for the stock gauge cluster?

We can't help if all you do is give us vague reasons why it's not working.

Paul.

ttocs · Oct 22, 2011

ah, gotcha. I am installing a single display digital multi-gauge and 4 modules. The sensors for the modules are on this page. Fluid temp, fluid pressure are the ones I am having problems with.

http://www.plxdevices.com/accessories.php

The fluid pressure can monitor two gauges so I want to do oil and fuel. I have no problem replacing the stock sending units with those if we can figure out how, these modules have an analog output as well that I think I can hook up to the stock gauges once I figre out the wiring(that part doesn't scare/bother me). I just have no idea what fitting I would need to do all of this with.

I unscrewed the schrader valve on the fuel rail but it was smaller then the end on the pressure sensor. Compairing the temp sensor for the water the stock sensor looks bigger then mine.

Paul · Oct 23, 2011

ttocs said:
ah, gotcha. I am installing a single display digital multi-gauge and 4 modules. The sensors for the modules are on this page. Fluid temp, fluid pressure are the ones I am having problems with.

http://www.plxdevices.com/accessories.php

The fluid pressure can monitor two gauges so I want to do oil and fuel. I have no problem replacing the stock sending units with those if we can figure out how, these modules have an analog output as well that I think I can hook up to the stock gauges once I figre out the wiring(that part doesn't scare/bother me). I just have no idea what fitting I would need to do all of this with.

I unscrewed the schrader valve on the fuel rail but it was smaller then the end on the pressure sensor. Compairing the temp sensor for the water the stock sensor looks bigger then mine.

Okay, all of this is pretty simple, and you only need a few fittings.

For the schraeder valve, you need a 1/16 NPT male to 1/8 NPT female adapter, AutoMeter PN 3280. Your pressure sending unit is presumably 1/8" NPT unless they do something totally wacky.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AutoMeter-3...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3a55f0d448

For oil pressure, you need to get that oil pressure sending unit screwed into the side of the block just forward of the oil filter, and behind the timing cover. It's tight work in there. I believe the side of the block is 3/8 NPT, so all you'll need is a 3/8" NPT to 1/8" NPT reducer, which you can buy at any hardware store for a couple bucks. Don't forget the teflon paste.

For the water temperature gauge, I'm assuming that PLX sending unit is also 1/8" NPT, so you'll probably just need another reducer like you used for the oil pressure sender because the intake manifold port is also threaded 3/8" NPT.

See, simple. Get it done and post up pics of your success!

Paul.