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After market Temp Gauge

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    #1

    After market Temp Gauge

    Hey guys

    Im new here, I have a 89 325i Two door. I love this little car, lol.
    But so far its been something after another in this car. Good thing that they are all little things, kinda. lol.

    Alright well to the point, My temp gauge doesn't work, I have jumped the connector that goes to the orange temp sender and still nothing, And I know the temp gauge works because when I turn the car on it bumps up to the blue part, but it never moves any where else..
    Well, im fed up with it, so im thinking about getting an after market temp gauge. 1. it will work and 2. it will be very accurate, which is very big plus!

    What type of gauge should I get? And where? Im sure as hell not going the ebay route, and ive checked VDO but i haven't found a coolant temp gauge.

    Also, where Do I hook it up to, any kits for this?

    Thanks guys!
    -Jon
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    #2
    You can find a VDO temp sensor at http://www.egauges.com. The Vision series comes with a filter that results in the gauge color being a close match to the cluster when your lights are on. You will have to change the sensor and I can't recall if there's one with the same thread, so modification of the t-stat housing may be required. The larger problem will be finding a place to mount the gauge where it can be easily seen and looks "clean". While you can mount the gauge just in front of the shifter, that's awfully low and checking the gauge means taking your eyes way off the road. On my track car I have an oil pressure gauge mounted where the radio used to live and that's really too low. I may move it to the center A/C vent.

    From what you describe, I'd suspect a problem with the SI board or wiring. You can ohm out the wiring to see if it is the problem.
    The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
    Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

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      #3
      Awesome

      Thanks man!

      Also, what should the resistance be on the wiring, and on which wires?

      Thanks you!
      -Jon

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        #4
        From the connector on the back of the cluster to the gauge should be close to zero on the signal lead. I don't remember if there's a ground wire in part of the harness (and I'm not going out to the car to look). But it should also have zero resistance. If the wires ohm out and you don't see the gauge pin when you short the contacts at the temp sensor end the problem will be in the cluster and the SI board is high on the list of suspects.
        The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
        Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

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          #5
          Hey guys
          Well I found a gauge that im going to install, finally.

          I was wondering, instead of using the coolant temp sender that the gauge comes with, Can I just the coolant temp sender that in the car now on the thermo housing?
          Can I wire it up to it ?

          Help me out guys!
          Thanks!

          Comment

            #6
            what if the thermostat is stuck aaalllll the way open and the coolant just isnt heating up much? my car barely heats up past the first quarter unless its over 100 degs with the A/c on.
            --Will

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              #7
              I was wondering, instead of using the coolant temp sender that the gauge comes with, Can I just the coolant temp sender that in the car now on the thermo housing?
              Probably not. The gauge probably needs a sensor with a different resistance vs temp curve.
              what if the thermostat is stuck aaalllll the way open and the coolant just isnt heating up much? my car barely heats up past the first quarter unless its over 100 degs with the A/c on.
              Replace the thermostat. Simple really...
              The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
              Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

              Comment

                #8
                It has a new thermo, it was replaced with the timing belt no more than one month ago.....

                hmmm...
                Could I use the stock wiring from the sender to wire us the guage? lol

                Comment

                  #9
                  Alrighty, Well I got the gauge
                  its a nice one , Auto Meter Ultra Light 2.

                  Ok my question, I know the how the sender wire goes and where the ground goes, but where could I wire up the 12v source wire? It says to the ignition switch or other switched 12v source... what would you guys recommend?

                  Thanks guys

                  Comment

                    #10
                    There are any number of places to pick up switched power. If you have the two element "user accessory" fuse block mounted on the front of the fuse box one of the fuses supplies switched power and the other un-switched power.
                    The car makes it possible, but the driver makes it happen.
                    Jim Levie, Huntsville, AL

                    Comment

                      #11
                      Thanks for the help bro

                      I found the wire though, I checked all the wires coming from the ignition switch while the car was off ( Red wire had power) then I turned the key and I checked them again ( Purple Wire had switched power ) So I used the purple wire for the gauge and everything works good now!

                      Thanks for the help!
                      -Jon

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