Console gauges
 

Have center console and voltmeter gauge. Need to fill the other two spaces in a stock center console.

Which is more useful to replace an un-needed clock: Oil pressure or head temperature?

Is the stock oil temperature gauge useful or would one of the above be better?

Is there a tech article for installing non-stock gauges?

TIA

The oil pressure gauge may scare you a bit. The stock oil pressure is fairly low.

Head temperature, oil temperature, and an amp meter (the stock volt meter is fairly useless) may be better choices for gauges.

The oil temp is fairly important but I have replaced the stock "numberless" VDO gauge with a newer one that shows actual values. This requires replacing the sender with a matching unit as well. Oil pressure would be my next choice and also requires replacing the stock sender for the idiot light in the dash. It is located in the top of the case near the distributor, and you can get one with dual connections to maintain the idiot light function. I agree that indicated volts from the stock console location are relatively meaningless, especially using the factory wiring harness under the tunnel. The voltmeter typically shows significant deflection when you apply the brakes, etc. An ammeter will show you how much current you are drawing at any one time but will also require new wires be run to the console that may be fairly large gauge (i.e 10 ga).

My car ('73 1.7) did not come with a console or gauge set but all the wires are there at the center tunnel including the oil temp signal wire (grn/blk, I think).

A few questions:
Where is the oil temp sensor located? or... Where is the other end of that wire?
What is the VDO part # for the numbered gauge and proper sending unit?
What are correct VDO part #s for the oil pressure gauge and sender? I have seen different numbers on different sites. Usually reversed between the 80 and 150psi units.

TIA

"If" you have the sensor on the engine, it is next to the oil drain plug. If you don't, a cheap alternative is the oil dip stick sender option....those can be found in the VW aftermarket catalogs and stores.

Consider an O2 sensor instead of a head temp gauge.

BTW ... VDO sells the oil temp gauge with a matched sensor, but the gauge will need a reducer ring....they don't make the stock size anymore, but it is hardly noticeable. If you got the bucks, replace them all. They will all match and look real nice.



[This message has been edited by mikez (edited 07-08-2000).]

Yes, your '73 should have the console wiring in the center tunnel. See the tech article on this website for "installing a center console" for a color wiring schematic. As I recall, the grn/blk is the wire for the oil temp gauge. Check with a FLAPS in your area that carries VDO gauges for parts numbers for the oil temp and pressure. Mine is from their "cockpit" series with black face and red pointer, and is 2 1/8" diameter (slightly smaller than the stock center console gauges). The stock oil temp sender is on the bottom of the case near the front left corner. Look for a single wire coming out. The new sender is a direct replacement. The sender for oil pressure is a little more complicated and may require some fabrication but look for the sender wire going down into the case near the distributor. Good luck!

I dug out my paperwork for the console gauges that I purchased last Fall. I was doing a direct replacement of the factory set-up. Here are the part numbers and prices from my invoice:

Temp gauge VDO 310012 $27.69
Temp sender VDO 323055 $11.76
Voltmeter VDO 332041 $28.47
Clock VDO 370021 $45.24