Oil Pressure and Voltometer Gauge

[skateswitch97]

well im looking to install a voltometer and oil pressure gauge on the a pillar, im not worried about the interior modding, but i definatly need some help on the wiring, id like to know about wiring it to the 12v, but the main part is i need to no what to wire the gauges into to get the readings, if anyone could show idiagram or photos that would be great also im not the greatest with elctrical stuff, i can splice and connect terms but keep the terms simple, alright i hope you guys can help

[sunrunner_pei]

OK, with those gauges, there are 4 wires each to worry about.

Signal
12V+
Ground
Illumination

With the voltage gauge, the 12V+ wire is the signal wire, so that's one down.

OK, first, you need to find the dash illumination wire. An easy place to find this is in the setero wiring, or at the dimmer switch itself. Do some probing with a voltmeter to determine which wire loses voltage as you dim the dash lights. This is your illumination wire, splice as needed.

Ground is easy, just run a wire to chassis ground. Any solid metal surface will suffice, but try to keep it well hidden. Use an existing bolt if you wish to keep it simple.

Next, you need 12+ switched. I wanted mine to come on when the key was on ACC, so some probing with a voltmeter is in order again. Look for a 12V+ source that is only on when the key is either in the ACC or ON positions. The stereo harness is another good source to find this lead. Splice into the wire you find.

For the oil pressure, I assume it is an electronic gauge with a sending unit. You must install the sending unit in the engine block, either as a replacement for the factory oil pressure switch, or in addition to it using a tee fitting. Run the wire from this to your pillar though your firewall.

Make the connections at the pillar, and you're all set.

[skateswitch97]

well i havent got the gauges yet so i cant tell everything about the oil pressure gauge, but the dimmer switch to my dash is just a few inches away from the a pillar, so i should be able to get that wired in very easily, as far as the 12v+ your describing, would splicing into the REM wire to my amp work for that since it comes on any time thre is power to the head unit?

[sunrunner_pei]

Originally posted by skateswitch97
well i havent got the gauges yet so i cant tell everything about the oil pressure gauge, but the dimmer switch to my dash is just a few inches away from the a pillar, so i should be able to get that wired in very easily, as far as the 12v+ your describing, would splicing into the REM wire to my amp work for that since it comes on any time thre is power to the head unit?

It may, but most remote wires will switch off when the HU is off. If you use that, if you turn off your HU the gauges will power off as well. Not really desirable for this application. :)

[skateswitch97]

true, well im going to most likely get the gauges tomorrow, and ill be either done or stuck within the next few days, oh one other things, right next to the panel dimming switch is the switch to my fog lights, which i dont have any more, do you think wiring it into there would work, then the switch to the fog lights would switch the gauges on off?

[tenspeed]

Originally posted by skateswitch97
right next to the panel dimming switch is the switch to my fog lights, which i dont have any more, do you think wiring it into there would work, then the switch to the fog lights would switch the gauges on off?

When you turn on the high beams, the fogs turn off. So will the gauges if you wire them there.

[skateswitch97]

damn your right there too, hmm well ill get it done, il post up if i get stuck, thanks guys

[skateswitch97]

might as well ask this while im thinking about it, where is the oil pressure sensor on the motor? so i jsut find it ahh lack of termolgy splice it and like t connect it? same with the illumination, 12v+ wires right?

[tenspeed]

Reread Shawns answer to your first question. Everything you need to do the install is in there except for a picture of the location of the oil pressure switch. I saw one recently of the knock detector and oil pressure switch. Try a search.

The guages should have instructions. Once you read them and what has been said here, you should be in better shape.

[Brandon]

i learned on my 04 gt that it was easiest to do an oil change. then with the engine empty of oil to do the oil pressure gauge sending unit.

[sunrunner_pei]

Originally posted by Brandon
i learned on my 04 gt that it was easiest to do an oil change. then with the engine empty of oil to do the oil pressure gauge sending unit.

Hmmm, the oil pressure switch should be above the oil level when the engine is off, there shouldnt' be any still when you remove it.


skateswitch97, I'm not sure where the oil pressure switch is on your 2.4. You'll have to do a search.

[Brandon]

Originally posted by sunrunner_pei
Hmmm, the oil pressure switch should be above the oil level when the engine is off, there shouldnt' be any still when you remove it.


skateswitch97, I'm not sure where the oil pressure switch is on your 2.4. You'll have to do a search.

on the 3.4 if your like me and didnt know there was a tool to take off the sending unit, removing the oil filter made it a heck of alot easier.

[skateswitch97]

ok well i got the guages today, there auto meter, i read the instructions and it does clear it up pretty well, also i talked to my grandfather who is gonna help me out with the install and he about the oil pressure sending unit and all, so i think i have it in hand now, anyways thanks for the help guys, ill post back if i run into any problems

[sunrunner_pei]

Originally posted by skateswitch97
ok well i got the guages today, there auto meter, i read the instructions and it does clear it up pretty well, also i talked to my grandfather who is gonna help me out with the install and he about the oil pressure sending unit and all, so i think i have it in hand now, anyways thanks for the help guys, ill post back if i run into any problems

Good luck!

Originally posted by Brandon
on the 3.4 if your like me and didnt know there was a tool to take off the sending unit, removing the oil filter made it a heck of alot easier.

Ahhh, I get ya now. Yeah, it's in a tough spot on the 3400. We used a sink wrench to remove ours. :lol:

[Brandon]

youd kill me if you knew how i did it :(

i couldnt get a wrench to grab/turn without rounding off the corners... so a screwdriver and a bigger hammer..... finally got it!

[sunrunner_pei]

I can see how that would work. Not the best move, but hey, you got it off, right? :)

[Brandon]

it worked, it was the last idea we had before giving up and thinking of paying someone else.... then it twisted a little... and the almight fingers finally got it off!

[hamiltonaudio]

lots of good advice here and this is by far the most important:

Originally posted by sunrunner_pei
Do some probing with a voltmeter to determine which wire loses voltage as you dim the dash lights.

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, PROBE ANY WIRING IN YOUR CAR WITH A TEST LIGHT. Use your DMM ONLY!!!!!!!!! You will NEVER find a professional installer with a test light in his hand (or toolbox for that matter). The load they place on circuits to illuminate the bulb is very destructive....there are MANY examples of blown ECUs, BCMs, tripped airbags (yep, POOF in the face and $2K to replace)....they are downright dangerous...

For those who are just getting into it....use a DMM only!

bmoney

[skateswitch97]

dmm? im not exactly sure what that is, but i know my frandfather has all the right stuff for wiring, ahh im gonna sound like a girl here but that is the thing the reads how many volts right?

[sunrunner_pei]

dmm = digital multi meter.

[Brandon]

digital multi-meter i beleive.