Adding electric gauges

Topic: Adding electric gauges (Read 1694 times) previous topic - next topic

Adding electric gauges

August 22, 2016, 01:23:49 PM

Hope this is the right place for this. I bought some electric Autometer gauges. The kit came with new sending units but my car has the full electric dash. Can I still add these in a pod or is it possible some dash functions will be lost? I stopped my car by a local speed shop and they wanted no part of it. lol. Is it possible to keep the dash gauges but have these as a more "accurate" back up? When it comes to electrical im lost. Thanks for any input.

Adding electric gauges

Reply #1 – August 22, 2016, 01:54:55 PM

For one, the stock gauges aren't worth saving.

For the oil pressure gauge, just disconnect the wire at the sending unit and ground it (this will cause your stock gauge to read right in the middle- if you leave it disconnected it will beep and show low pressure, so you have to ground it). Replace the sender with the sender that came with your gauge set and run a wire to your pod.

That's how I did mine back when I had an 87 XR-7.

Somebody else can chime in about the temp sensor, I believe it can be disconnected and just left disconnected at the sender (the stock gauge will read cold). Then just replace the sender with the new gauge's sender and run a wire to your pod.

Then just leave your original cluster on the "gas gauge channel" and ignore the other gauges.

Adding electric gauges

Reply #2 – August 22, 2016, 01:56:25 PM

Yes you can easily have both.

Where you stock oil sending unit is you just need to put a T fitting in so you can have two senders there.

For the water you will need to another spot on the motor where there is a plug in the water jacket to add another sender.

A volt gauge just needs a 12v wire from anywhere thats after the ign switch.

Adding electric gauges

Reply #3 – August 22, 2016, 04:35:58 PM

Thanks for the info., guys. For my temp sensor I picked up an Autometer adapter that will go in radiator coolant line. ... Brian, where do I find a T fitting that you mentioned?

Adding electric gauges

Reply #4 – August 22, 2016, 07:01:16 PM

Any parts store or hardware store should have a 1/8th pipe thread T fitting with one male and two female ends

Adding electric gauges

Reply #5 – August 23, 2016, 02:56:02 AM

Go to a hose and rubber place, they will have 500 of different lengths and sizes on the shelf.

Adding electric gauges

Reply #6 – August 23, 2016, 12:32:01 PM

Something like this is what you need for the oil sender
http://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/56048812