Author Topic: adding more gauges question (Read 2661 times)

silvertdi · « **on:** June 28, 2008, 09:53:34 am »

First, is the + terminal on my 81 rabbit the same as the "W" terminal i've heard people speak about? Do I hook it directly to a tach?

Second, my oil filter housing isn't threaded and tapped. Is there an alternate location for another oil sender, other than the head?

Thanks.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2008, 12:13:26 pm »

Quote from: "silvertdi"

First, is the + terminal on my 81 rabbit the same as the "W" terminal i've heard people speak about? Do I hook it directly to a tach?

Nope.... sadly you need a real "W" terminal for the tach... the "+" is the output of the alternator.

Quote from: "silvertdi"

Second, my oil filter housing isn't threaded and tapped. Is there an alternate location for another oil sender, other than the head?

Nope... most people run a M10x1 tee to add a sensor to the existing port. Anyone that sells VDO gauges will be able to get you the VDO version... about 7 bucks.

silvertdi · « **Reply #2 on:** June 28, 2008, 08:15:23 pm »

Hmm. There's nothing hooked up to my + terminal. It's just a spade connector recessed in the alternator case. There's a plug that pushes into a connector which feeds the car's circuits. The + terminal on mine is unused and looking lonely.

Vincent Waldon · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2008, 08:45:24 pm »

It's an output that is used, on some cars, to connect a noise-suppression capacitor... with a spade connector. If you do a bit of searching here for "tach" you'll see some pictures of alternators with a small black box mounted on the back... that's the noise suppressor that plugs into the "+" spade connection.

silvertdi · « **Reply #4 on:** June 30, 2008, 03:30:48 am »

I see. My car has the Motorola alternator, not the Bosch. I replaced it about 4 months ago. Neither the old or the new have a "W" terminal. Is there a year range of rabbit or jetta that had the "W" terminal? Is it on the Motorolas or the Boschs? Thanks for all your help.

jimfoo · « **Reply #5 on:** June 30, 2008, 05:18:59 am »

If you are willing to take your alternator apart, you can solder a wire between one set of windings and the diode, run it out of the case, and there is your W terminal. Just be sure to insulate it well.

Turbinepowered · « **Reply #6 on:** June 30, 2008, 07:30:20 pm »

Oddly enough, my gasser Fox from '89 has a W terminal on its alternator.