Date:         Wed, 3 Oct 2007 19:55:23 -0400
Reply-To:     Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Subject:      Re: VDO Guages not working
Comments: To: Jonathan Poole <jfpoolio@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <2cb866ef0710010836y2f6d8019m556a0aa8e1a9184e@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Hi Jonathan

There have been a whole whack-load of VDO CHT gauges that have
surfaced recently where the polarity of the leads has been wrong. I
first discovered this about 4 years ago but from what I have heard
recently the problem has still not been completely eliminated from
their production.

Try reversing the wires at the back of the gauge and see if it works.
It can't hurt anything.

Happy Trails,

Greg Potts
1973/74/77/79 Westfakia "Bob The Tomato
www.pottsfamily.ca
www.busesofthecorn.com




On 1-Oct-07, at 11:36 AM, Jonathan Poole wrote:

> So after another full weekend of working on my new van I finally
> started the
> engine up.  Boston Bob did it right as it started and ran perfectly
> through
> the first 30 minutes and two oil changes.
>
> A big part of the work this weekend was the wiring and installation
> of my 3
> vdo guages cht, oil temp and oil pressure.  The oil temp is working
> fine but
> I have questions about the other two.
>
> First according to my infrared therm. the heads near the intake
> never went
> above about 200 so was that hot enough for the cht to register?
> The needle
> on the cht guage didn't move ever.  I hope to drive the van soon,
> at what
> temp should the guage register?  Are there ways to test the guage/
> sender.
> The sender is mounted under the #3 plug.
>
> Second, the oil pressure guage goes to max as soon as the key is
> turned on,
> (12v goes to the + lead terminal)  Even if the sender wire is
> disconnected
> it stays pegged.  I have tested the sender wire and it is
> connected.  It is
> from the Bus Depot wiring kit and is one unbroken wire from the
> sender to
> the guage.  The sender is the dual output type with two poles one
> labelled
> "g" the other "wk".  The stock oil light goes out as the van is
> started and
> appears to be functioning normally.  I have the guage on "G" and
> the idiot
> light on "WK".
>
> Any help/suggestions with these problems would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jonathan Poole