Need help with VDO gauge install

[Grover]

I recently bought some used (out of another '02) supplemental VDO gauges and sending units (temp, pressure, and volts). Unfortunately I didn't get any instructions. Does anybody have photos of how the sending units attach and where the various wires lead to? I have five red wires all coming out of the wiring harness but can't tell exactly which sending unit they go to. I see one logical connection on what I think is the sending unit for water temp (a small brass unit) but on top of what I think is the oil pressure sender is a threaded cylinder that doesn't look like it will take a wire without some sort of adapter. Any words of advice or photos would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Jack]

I think you can getthe instructions on line at VDO. Baring that you need to ring out the wires to find out which wire is which. You can do this with a continuity tester. Can't you check the wire colors and match that way?

[SteveJ]

Hey Tom,

That is why I like to use proper color-coded wires from an old warness for my installs.

All three guages will have a +12v and a ground. The third wire on the Press and temp guages will be for the senders. These will have a letter stamped next to the connector. The senders will usually screw into the waterneck for the water temp and into the oil pressure fitting next to the distributor. These most likely will be dual senders which mean you are able to use your existing idiot light or guage in addition to the VDO guage. the letter that is stamped on the back of the guage should also appear on the sender.

The voltmeter will just have the +12 and the ground connections. Make sure you connect it to a GOOD signal.

The guages should also have two connections for the backlights. You can tap a wire into the +12 and the ground and run both wires over to your guages. The lights will then dim with the rest of your instruments (providing that your dimmer pot works).

[Grover]

Thanks Steve. I've sorted through where all the wires come from, now I just need to try to install. I'm just an electrical moron.

[SteveJ]

The famous quote from Al Bundy about the Bundy Shoe Lights, "OK. Let's see is red positive or negative? Oh I can never remember. " As Kelly goes up in smoke.

The one basic rule is you have to have a complete circuit. These cars are notorious for having flakey grounds. When in doubt, try running the component with test wires connected directly to a 12 volt battery. Isolate your problems to the component, the control switch, connectors, or the wiring inbetween.