Date:         Thu, 17 Mar 2005 07:40:11 -0500
Reply-To:     Matt Sutton <msutts@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Matt Sutton <msutts@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      plan for oil pressure gauge install- opinions wtd
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hi folks,

    I'm planning on adding an Oil pressure gauge to my 88 GL, but am
considering a different approach from the Volks Cafe/ Bus Depot angle and
wanted to check the idea with the list.

#1- move the low (.3 bar) pressure switch to the high pressure switch
location, with the associated wiring. Discard the high pressure sender.

#2- Install a single pole VDO sender in the low pressure location, between
the pushrods. Perhaps use the old high pressure switch wiring to get the
signal to the dash.

    Its a long story as to why I don't just rehabilitate the standard 2.1
light/buzzer system, but basically I never liked or trusted it and, from
what I've heard here, if you get a legitimate alarm on a high mileage engine
you're probably too late. If my planned configuration works, I'll be keeping
the low pressure warning light, but will have actual numbers for the rest.

    I guess my immediate questions are: Will the low pressure switch work in
the new location? Is the there a single pole VDO sender (or other
manufacturer) that will fit between the pushrods? I'd love to avoid the
whole extension hose/pipe contraption. Does anyone have a vendor link for
such a thing?

    thanks,

-Matt Sutton
88 GL