VDO Oil Pressure Gauge Install

[8UWITH6]

Hey guys.....I usually run autometer, however, I stock the VDO gauges at work. So I installed an Oil Pressure gauge in the T-type. Well, it doesnt freaking work. I got to reading the directions (gee, what are these for) and noticed that it said, 1. To use 14 gauge wire is required for the gauge ground. 2. Not to use teflon tape on the sender threads?

Okay....this is how its wired. Light + to Gauge + to fuse box IGN port, 18 gauge wire. Light - to gauge - to underside of dash under the radio, 18 gauge wire. Sender wire to sender, 18 gauge wire. I took out the factory oil pressure sender and put in a 90* brass fitting for the sender. Its 1/4" to 1/4" male all thread to a 90* bend 1/4" to 1/8" pipe. All connections are teflon sealed.

Im not getting any readings on the gauge, its zero. NOW.......for those of you with VDO gauges in your TR, what did you do? Do I need to take out that stupid sender again (beeyotch to get too), and take off the teflon tape? What about the wire...... THANKS GUYS!

[GrndNatnl]

Where is the stock pressure sensor that you replaced with the T?

I'm looking to install one in the near future as well. Unsure about the install.

[JFH]

The reason they say not to use the teflon tape is because you might lose the ground for the sender. I put a "T" fitting in there so you also have the Idiot light.

JFH

[Topjimmy]

I love that teflon tape too, makes a great seal and gives a finished appearance to the connection. As was implied above, the sender must ground to the engine though. Since the factory tee fitting and your adaptors are brass and the sender is most likely steel, you'll have nice tight connections all the way to the engine without any sealer or tape.
As for the smaller wire; not sure if it will affect accuracy but the current load on that circuit is very small.
HTH - Jimmy

[8UWITH6]

Argh....too bad there is 6" of snow on the ground. Ill pull that sender apart again and remove the teflon tape and see if that works. I also dont see a need for the idiot light. It would be a pain to try and fit/get to another fitting down there.........thanks for the replies....

[GNut]

VDO has two different types of senders that can be used with their gauges. Single wire which uses the sender body threads as ground and Dual wire hookup which uses a wire to provide the ground and a wire to the gauge. With the single wire you CANNOT use teflon tape or it interferes with the ground signal. Either way you go you're gonna have to lose that tape!

Tom
Performance Instruments
www.gnxdash.com