VDO gauges info for Flounderasu, Shictzo and Alpinweib

[BMW540san]

All 3 of you had sort of similar questions so I'll do my best. Unfortunately, it's been a while and I haven't done proper DIY, but at least I can provide you with an idea what's involved. I'd like to point out that this is my favorite and very useful upgrade but some people may not like it. My main reason for this that I simply don't like 2 bulky switches in the instrument panel and quite a few manufacturers already place switches in the lower dash from factory. Also, the gauges are very accurate and very helpful for keeping the engine healthy.


The info:

I've used VDO Vision series gauges as they are very close to OEM gauges look, especially at night. They come with an orange cap that you put over the little bulb inside the gauge and it's very similar to that pleasing OEM night light illumination.Also, if you go on their website it'll tell you which sender goes with which gauge.

Senders:

For oil temp. gauge it's simple. VDO makes the sender that replaces oil drain plug and has one wire coming to it. Another reason for going this route is the oil temp. is most accurate if measured in oil sump.

Oil pressure sender was more work. VDO makes the dual pole sender which is designed to replace your OEM idiot light sender and at the same time provide the pressure reading. I've initially installed that sender, but it kept sending low oil pressure warning which means it's probably not calibrated as OEM sender is (7psi?)

Anyway, I replaced it with single pole sender and kept the OEM sender as well. That required me to fabricate sort of T junction and at the same time it's very tight around the M62 oil canister. M52/54 would probably be easier in that regard. I was able to connect the few hydraulic fittings to each other and created sort of T junction, but the machined block would be better looking solution, although more expensive. Either way, the oil distribution block is hiden behind oil canister, so look it's not really important.

Of course, if you are JimLev, it's would be powdercoated and it would look awesome.

Wiring and gauges:

Here is the good news. Gauges are direct fit into light switches cavities (talking about lucky). The wiring is simple and I've used the area behind brake booster to run the wires in. All you need to do is to find 12+ switched which there is plenty in that area and there is no worry about amp since gauges barely draw any. Obviously the instrument cluster and lower dash need to be removed which brings us to hard part.

The light switches need to have their wiring extended in order to go to lower dash and that's the easy part. The hard part is drilling the dash. I believe I used the 2" saw bit and it's nerve racking. Because I'm no expert in this, I wasn't sure once I start drilling if the edges are going to stay smooth or if they will rip. if that happened, it's basically ruined dash.

I don't how much is luck and how much skill, but with removed lower dash and secured properly, I've measured placement carefully and drilled it fast, not giving the spongy material chance to rip around outside edges. After that you sort of press the light switches in their holes to a point where it's embedded in and then gorilla glue on the other side.

That's about it and let me know if there are more questions.
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t13/yugo55/1998%20BMW%20540i6/DSC03462.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/yugo55/media/1998%20BMW%20540i6/DSC03462.jpg.html)http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t13/yugo55/1998%20BMW%20540i6/DSC03461.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/yugo55/media/1998%20BMW%20540i6/DSC03461.jpg.html)http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t13/yugo55/1998%20BMW%20540i6/DSC03744_zps8bb18c75.jpg (http://s156.photobucket.com/user/yugo55/media/1998%20BMW%20540i6/DSC03744_zps8bb18c75.jpg.html)

[JimLev]

LOL, once you get a powder gun your addicted.
I remember your original post over on Roadfly and wrote down the p/n's of the gauges and senders you used.
VDO Parts
360 024 oil pressure sender
350 108 oil pressure gauge
323 092 oil temp sender
310 106 oil temp gauge

I'll do this someday, think I'd use a 0-100 PSI oil gauge as the max pressure is rarely above 65 PSI and as low as 9-10 PSI when hot.
I did get a thick aluminum rod that I turned into an adapter for both senders, that's as far as I got.

[BMW540san]

LOL, once you get a powder gun your addicted.
I remember your original post over on Roadfly and wrote down the p/n's of the gauges and senders you used.
VDO Parts
360 024 oil pressure sender
350 108 oil pressure gauge
323 092 oil temp sender
310 106 oil temp gauge

I'll do this someday, think I'd use a 0-100 PSI oil gauge as the max pressure is rarely above 65 PSI and as low as 9-10 PSI when hot.
I did get a thick aluminum rod that I turned into an adapter for both senders, that's as far as I got.
Jim, believe it or not, I was planning to add If I was ever to change anything, it'd be to 0-100 psi gauge instead the current one. I can't remember exactly, but in order to install 0-100 gauge at the time, I'd have to do some extra adjustment or it was something about different NPT thread. Anyway, 0-100 psi would be more accurate, but the current one is always over first lien even with hot idle, so it's sort of ok. If you do one, there will be a nice DIY, not the lousy one like mine.

P.S. Since taking those pictures, I did clean up the door hinge area and it's up to your standards now. I know you cringed when you looked at that picture, lol.

[Flounderasu]

All 3 of you had sort of similar questions so I'll do my best. Unfortunately, it's been a while and I haven't done proper DIY, but at least I can provide you with an idea what's involved. I'd like to point out that this is my favorite and very useful upgrade but some people may not like it. My main reason for this that I simply don't like 2 bulky switches in the instrument panel and quite a few manufacturers already place switches in the lower dash from factory. Also, the gauges are very accurate and very helpful for keeping the engine healthy.


Thank you very much. Saved....I was really interested in the sender info. Looks like Oil temp is by far the easiest to do. Instead of doing Oil pressure, I just might do coolant temp to replace the cluster, although I was really interested in the other post flattening the cluster temp gauge. I should probably see if there have been any further progress with that...



Of course, if you are JimLev, it's would be powdercoated and it would look awesome.


True; my conclusion is.....JimLev is an animal.

[RVAE34]

I am using a ScanGaugeII which plugs into the OBDII port and displays up to 4 functions at a time. I currently have it showing coolant temp, Voltage and air intake temps and MPG's since I have a Chevy V8 swap. I plan on getting an additional gauge for oil pressure. I mounted the scan gauge on the dash trim piece to the left of the steering wheel.

[Mannyf540]

I am using a ScanGaugeII which plugs into the OBDII port and displays up to 4 functions at a time. I currently have it showing coolant temp, Voltage and air intake temps and MPG's since I have a Chevy V8 swap. I plan on getting an additional gauge for oil pressure. I mounted the scan gauge on the dash trim piece to the left of the steering wheel.


Got any pics of the setup ?

[RVAE34]

I don't currently. Clay (M5hunter) and I have the same one. They are supposed to be able to show HP and 0-60 times too but I haven't messed with mine much yet. The car is garaged for the rest of the winter. You can change the background color of the LCD too btw.

Here are a few pix of them in other vehicles though.

http://www.berrimadiesel.com/eshop/image/cache/data/SCANGAUGE2-2-500x500.jpg

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/attachments/f77/10088d1201358892-does-anyone-use-scangauge-ii-forester-instrumentbord-002.jpg

http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/gallery/data/500/scangauge_mount.jpg

[gooten1]

I loved the VDO gauges in one of my e30s, and your install is even cleaner than mine. Nicely done.

[RVAE34]

The VDO gauges do look at home in BMW's. I had a cluster in my turbo E34 and it looked like it was OEM.

[Mannyf540]

I love the install on the first pic !! Very nice location, aesthetically pleasing. Nice gauge as well at first when "gauge" was mentioned I thought about aftermarket hotrod gauges mounted on the pillar.

[philly98540]

540San- your install looks top notch. I like how the spongy material re-contoured to the light switches so it looks like it was made that way from the factory. You just pushed the switches in a secured with Gorilla glue? Did you have to clamp them in till the glue dried to get that effect?

Looks clean even without powder coating..LOL.

[RVAE34]

Just to keep with the theme of things. Here is the cluster I built for the E34. I cut the bottom of an old door panel and flipped it upside down to make the cluster face.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6137/5994160658_1d2dc5614d_b.jpg

[BMW540san]

To sort of respond to some of the posts. To me (not to offend some other installations) anything other than VDO gauges simply takes away the OEM look of the dash. They may not be as accurate and versatile as some of the high tech, but they keep that stock look intact. If the car is modified such as RVAE34, than I understand. But, we are all after different things and I applaud anybody who is creative and shares his installs.

There is one exception that just doesn't work in E39 IMO. It's the A pillar gauges install. I'm sorry, but I instantly think of fast and furious movie. Not to mention that some cars including have HPS (airbag) in that some area. I wouldn't want bunch of gauges flying into my face in case od accidents.

[RVAE34]

Agreed about the pod cluster. I don't like that in anything but Diesel trucks.

[BMW540san]

Just to keep with the theme of things. Here is the cluster I built for the E34. I cut the bottom of an old door panel and flipped it upside down to make the cluster face.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6137/5994160658_1d2dc5614d_b.jpg

Very nice. Down there is much easier to get away with digital gauge not looking out of the place.

[RVAE34]

Thanks! I really love your setup too and might end up doing that myself. The scan guage could just be redundant and also helps to diagnose and clear codes when need be. Clay (M5hunter) has also done one gauge just like yours. I loved it when I first saw his.

[BMW540san]

540San- your install looks top notch. I like how the spongy material re-contoured to the light switches so it looks like it was made that way from the factory. You just pushed the switches in a secured with Gorilla glue? Did you have to clamp them in till the glue dried to get that effect?

Looks clean even without powder coating..LOL.
Yes, forgot to mention that initially I had the light switches edges protrude out of the cluster. It looked tacky and to much like an add on. After that, I carefully removed pieces of sponge on the other side while making sure the cluster side stay intact. Than, I kept removing more sponge and fitting light switches in till I got to the flush look. Than, as you suggested, I glued it and lightly clamped it for a while. I think it's been 6 years now with no issues. That also shows that gauges and senders are decent quality.

[JimLev]

P.S. Since taking those pictures, I did clean up the door hinge area and it's up to your standards now. I know you cringed when you looked at that picture, lol.Z, I actually never noticed it. Your car is a DD so some dirt is expected.I'm thinking about welding a bung on the side of the oil pan for the temp sensor.I think you have yours screwed into the drain plug. My car is lowered ~1.5" so I can't take the chance of having the temp sensor bumped off.

[BMW540san]

Z, I actually never noticed it. Your car is a DD so some dirt is expected.I'm thinking about welding a bung on the side of the oil pan for the temp sensor.I think you have yours screwed into the drain plug. My car is lowered ~1.5" so I can't take the chance of having the temp sensor bumped off.

It doesn't differ much in length form regular drain plug and is underneath the plastic shield, but your idea is not bad as it's easier to remove the regular drain plug when changing oil instead the sender and it's wire.
http://www.bavauto.com/assets/product_images/hardpart/323_092.jpg

[Schitzo]

540san, thanks for the information and additional pictures on your gauge setup. I'm still debating if or not I should relocate my gauges.


Your car is a DD so some dirt is expected.
What Jim is trying to say is that some dirt is expected but only on the tire tread. Anywhere else is unacceptable. :nono

Jim, instead of welding a bung onto your oil pan, I would connect a distribution block onto the oil filter canister where the OEM oil pressure switch goes. You would then screw the OEM oil pressure switch and your oil pressure sender onto your distribution block. You could also use a line (-AN hose etc) to remotely mount the distribution block if space is limited.

[alpinweib]

Thanks 540san. Hoping to get this little project done this month sometime, after i get my rough engine running silky smooth again.

So the OEM light switches just pop out of the gauge cluster bezel? I was looking at them and it didn't look that way to me, but i was afraid to get overzealous and break the bezel.

[AK_5eries]

Very clean install.

Pardon my noobiness, but what is the point of the oil pressure gauge? What problem does high/low oil pressure reflect? Clogged system, big leak?

[JimLev]

540san, thanks for the information and additional pictures on your gauge setup. I'm still debating if or not I should relocate my gauges.


What Jim is trying to say is that some dirt is expected but only on the tire tread. Anywhere else is unacceptable. :nono

Jim, instead of welding a bung onto your oil pan, I would connect a distribution block onto the oil filter canister where the OEM oil pressure switch goes. You would then screw the OEM oil pressure switch and your oil pressure sender onto your distribution block. You could also use a line (-AN hose etc) to remotely mount the distribution block if space is limited.

Schitzo, right, just the tire.treads, lol, I was trying to be nice.

I like the distribution block idea. I've got plenty of spare AN fittings and extra lines.

- - - Updated - - -


Very clean install.

Pardon my noobiness, but what is the point of the oil pressure gauge? What problem does high/low oil pressure reflect? Clogged system, big leak?

Too low pressure and your engine is toast. Too high and you could be sprouting external leaks.
Low is more common than high.

[BMW540san]

540san, thanks for the information and additional pictures on your gauge setup. I'm still debating if or not I should relocate my gauges.


What Jim is trying to say is that some dirt is expected but only on the tire tread. Anywhere else is unacceptable. :nono

Jim, instead of welding a bung onto your oil pan, I would connect a distribution block onto the oil filter canister where the OEM oil pressure switch goes. You would then screw the OEM oil pressure switch and your oil pressure sender onto your distribution block. You could also use a line (-AN hose etc) to remotely mount the distribution block if space is limited.
Jim is being to nice and I agree about cleanliness, that dirt are was there for a loooong time and I finally had enough.
Your suggestion about distribution block is basically what I have and is great for oil pressure, but for proper oil temp reading, it's imperative to have the sender in oil sump, otherwise the reading will not be as accurate due to oil movement.

- - - Updated - - -


Very clean install.

Pardon my noobiness, but what is the point of the oil pressure gauge? What problem does high/low oil pressure reflect? Clogged system, big leak?
As JimLev stated, but also when you crank up the engine and it's really cold, the 60+ reading at idle sort of warns you take it easy on rpms, unless you really want to put unnecessary strain on lubrication system and internal engine components.

- - - Updated - - -


Thanks 540san. Hoping to get this little project done this month sometime, after i get my rough engine running silky smooth again.

So the OEM light switches just pop out of the gauge cluster bezel? I was looking at them and it didn't look that way to me, but i was afraid to get overzealous and break the bezel.

You're welcome and yes, the Vision series fit right in, not sure about other VDO gauges or other brands.

[Schitzo]

Your suggestion about distribution block is basically what I have and is great for oil pressure, but for proper oil temp reading, it's imperative to have the sender in oil sump, otherwise the reading will not be as accurate due to oil movement.



Agreed. My suggestion was solely for the oil pressure sender and OEM oil pressure switch. Not for oil temp sensor.

[AK_5eries]

What causes low oil pressure?

[JimLev]

What causes low oil pressure?

A number of things can.
Worn rod and main bearings, too much clearance allows the oil to escape easily.
Worn oil pump.
Oil pump bolts loose.

[alpinweib]

Updating after my AFR gauge install into the fog light switch socket.

487756

It was definitely a success! Thanks BMW540san.
I see now what you mean about some gauges protruding from the cluster bezel, and it would be much better if it were flat like yours, but it's all i have to work with for the time being.

Install is quite easy. Thought i did managed to mangle the fog light switch when i removed it from the bezel. I am still unsure what the proper way to remove the switches are. Maybe you could shed some light on that if you have the time. I have an extra bezel with switches but i am apprehensive to try to remove the other fog light switch for fear or breaking it as well.

[95BMWIC]

Subscribed - Thank you for this..

[BMW540san]

Updating after my AFR gauge install into the fog light switch socket.

487756

It was definitely a success! Thanks BMW540san.
I see now what you mean about some gauges protruding from the cluster bezel, and it would be much better if it were flat like yours, but it's all i have to work with for the time being.

Install is quite easy. Thought i did managed to mangle the fog light switch when i removed it from the bezel. I am still unsure what the proper way to remove the switches are. Maybe you could shed some light on that if you have the time. I have an extra bezel with switches but i am apprehensive to try to remove the other fog light switch for fear or breaking it as well.

That looks good. I honestly don't remember how I got the switches out, but I don't think is anything overly complicated. If I remember more I'll post it.