VintageWatercooleds.com Technotes

Page last Modified: January 13, 2007 - Views
VintageWatercooleds.com Technotes :: Oil Pressure Gauge Install 

 

This technote will cover both install locations for the VDO oil pressure sender. - So it will cover both 8v and 16v.

Tools we will need - and most of this is optional - you CAN get away with adjustable wrenches, but be careful not to strip these senders. Remember: Righty-tighty, Lefty-loosey!!
  • 24mm Wrench for oil pressure switches
  • 17mm Wrench for new VDO sender
  • 14mm Wrench for oil temperature gauge

If you need to change the way the wires attach (like spade to ring)

  • Wire stripers
  • Terminal Crimpers
  • The correct red terminals (Ring in most cases)
This shows the terminals on the new VDO sender. If you don't see these on your used sender, clean it off, they are there - under the grime!
Remember that you need to get a sender that matches your gauge. A 5 bar gauge needs a 5 bar sender. There are also 10 bar gauges and senders available. I suggest getting the 10 bar ones.

At this time, please check which pressure switch your VDO sender will replace - Some VDO senders are different. They will say on the hex part near the bottom. For example, the 0.11+0.8 bar sender replaces the stock sender, which (some of the time) has the same ratings written on it.

The color of the stock switches does not mean anything. Some are white, some black, some blue. If VW ever had a standard, aftermarket suppliers did not, so watch out.
This shows the (mostly) stock configuration on the oil flange of an 8v. The smaller sender is the oil temp sender for the gauge in the center console. The rear sender is the High pressure switch that gets connected to the cluster.

The 16v will have both pressure switches here. Just remove one, and see which rating it is, match it to your new VDO sender and replace the matching switch.

You will need to swap positions of these two senders if you are installing your VDO sender here on an 8v - or the sender will hit the distributor.
Here is a picture of the senders traded places.
Now, match your pressure switch to your sender as detailed above.
This is the low pressure switch on an 8v.
This is where the VDO sender goes if it is supposed to replace the low pressure switch on the 8v. The later Cabriolets have the VDO sender here stock.
Here is a picture of it installed on the flange and connected. This replaces the high pressure switch on the 8v if your VDO gauge replaces the high pressure switch.

16v cars will always have the VDO sender installed down here. Make sure you replace the right switch.
Now, run a wire from the G terminal of the sender into your car to the gauge. Then run ground and +12v to the gauge from the stock gauge.

Gauges installed, test them out. If your gauge pegs at the top like in the picture, then you have a problem. The wire may not be connected, or you may have a bad pressure sender.

Start your car. Rev it a bit, and make sure the instrument cluster lights do not come on.
            

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