Gauge installation question...

[ventureforth]

Have been searching around but haven't been able to find a comprehensive answer.  I scored one of the 3-gauge VDO clusters out of a Wolfsburg caddy at the yard today to put into my 1982 1.6NA Rabbit.  It's just the gauges, no senders or anything else, but they are in pristine condition.

What will I need to hook these up to my 1.6, and are there any good write-ups that you know of to take me through the process step by step?

Thanks.

[ventureforth]

Just to clarify, the 3 gauges are amps, bars (oil pressure), oil temp.

[bajacalal]

Are you sure the electrical gauge isn't volts? Ammeters haven't been common on cars since the 70s. If it's volts, it should just hook into your car's electrical system.

The oil pressure sender for this gauge goes in one of the holes on the oil filter adapter. IIRC your oil filter adapter would have one sending unit and one plug now. Go back and get the part if you want it.

However, a lot of people just use the 3 hole console mounted cluster to install aftermarket gauges as VDO (and I believe other brands) gauges will fit in those holes. In my opinion, the VW gauges and wiring are not very reliable. If it were my car, I would change some of the gauges to end up with an voltage-oil pressure-exhaust gas temperature gauge setup. The EGT gauge is aftermarket (obviously). 

Also, which yard was this?

[745 turbogreasel]

www.egauges.com sells new senders pretty reasonable

[GEE-BEE]

1.6 or 1.9 td ?

very good adapter oil psi /oil tempp for the oil filter housing

water temp probe goes right into the 1.6 coolant neck housing

boost/egt
drilled my manifold exhaust and intake, screw in and your done

yes 780.00 is alot

You get what you pay for, the oil adapter is a steal for 15.00

Mcnallyelectronics.com

GB

[Vincent Waldon]

Guys he's already bought the gauges and just needs help hooking them up  

Assuming you've got the standard VDO trio of gauges you've got "Volts" rather than "Amps"... the voltmeter can go to a circuit that's got power when the key is on.  As for the other two gauges you'll need VDO-specific senders.  The oil temp one is available pretty inexpensively but the oil pressure one can be spendy and needs to have a specific second contact if you want to retain the oil pressure warning light without additional plumbing... if you can get back to the yard and grab the oil pressure sender you'll save some coin.

[lord_verminaard]

http://www.egauges.com/vdo_send.asp?Sender=80PSI_5Bar_VDO

I used part # 360-006, (I think) works with OEM VW oil pressure gauge (5-bar) and has the additional warning contact for the factory oil pressure warning system.  Only $25.75.

The temp senders are just factory VW parts, you can get them anywhere, or at your local parts store. 

Brendan

[Vincent Waldon]

That *is* a great price for the oil pressure sender... they are generally north of 50 bucks for us Canadians.  ;-)

[ventureforth]

Thanks for all the replies.  Yes, it is volts.  Don't know why I was thinking amps.  I will be getting a boost and EGT gauge to add to the set, but I figured I would put those in that cubby under the A/C controls that I don't really use.  I'll see if the senders are still in the junked car, but I don't know what condition they'll be in.  Otherwise, I'll check out the links you sent.

The yard I went to this time was Russ VW in Duarte, CA.  The prices are a little higher because it's a full service yard, but for the condition of the fenders I got I couldn't pass it up.  Got a core support from them, too, for single rounds conversion.  Other yards I've had luck with (pick and pull) are the Pick Your Part, and International Auto Wrecking in Sun Valley, CA.  Not a lot of MK1 Rabbits, but Cabbys show up quite a bit and in good condition.  I was able to get a sparkling clean bumper for the single round conversion, headlights, grill, etc., as well as some nice performance styling parts for the interior...all in very good condition.  No 2-door Rabbits, though, so I'm still searching for new doors and mirrors (I want to keep the simple manual style mirror setup I have now (no remote)).  You could also try Max's German.  I think they're in Van Nuys.  I've heard good things, but have never been.

Anyway, thanks for the tips.

[ventureforth]

Oh, and it's a 1.6NA, but the reason I'm adding a boost gauge is that I'll be putting in a 1.9TD.

[ventureforth]

I have the senders for the trio cluster.  Seem to be in decent shape.  So, now it will just be a question of properly hooking them up.

Thanks for all the help.

[VW Smokr]

Congrats on the gauge find. Nice to know what's going on. PITA not having good gauges to reference.

It's a personal thing, but I swapped the gauges up in place of the stereo head unit, to be more within the main field of vision while driving. Definitely wanted the EGT & oil pressure gauges easily visible. Stereo head went down in the console, in place of the 3 gauge holes; easy mods. VDO tach & voltmeter are in a separate pod I made & mounted to the left & up against the factory instrument cluster's speedo/clock/etc 'hump' in the dashtop.

All covered by Dashmat 'carpet' for now, mostly to hide the expanse of sun-cracked vinyl! Requested a bit of extra material (c. 8" x 8") to cover the left 'pod' when I ordered my Dashmat; IIRC they didn't even charge for it.