oil pressure gauge install

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geospider
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Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000
Location: concord, ca

oil pressure gauge install

Post by geospider »

I am guessing this is in here somewhere, but...
Yep, gonna change out the clock for an oil pressure gauge I recently got. At the same time, will replace the panels with some kind of real wood; undecided so far.
'79 for reference
But, curious if the the wiring for this is already there: like some other "pre-wired " items.
this has a yellow plug with 5 wires. I have yet to open the dash to know what lies inside. Scary, right?
I know that I need a new oil sensor, ordered.
Wondering about the wiring. I may retain the light for kicks; have already found ideas regarding that.
Any guidance regarding the wiring would be great.

thanks as always.

geo
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dinghyguy
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Your car is a: 1981 spider
Location: Vancouver, Canada

Re: oil pressure gauge install

Post by dinghyguy »

Done it twice on 79’s
No wiring in dash
Have to branch off other dash details plus need wire from sender
Not a big problem if you can solder and read a schematic

Cheers
Dinghyguy
1981 Red Spider "Redbob"
1972 blue Volvo 1800ES "Bob"
1998 Red Ford Ranger
toyfiats
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Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2008 9:24 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Fiat Spider
Location: Concord, CA

Re: oil pressure gauge install

Post by toyfiats »

Going by memory here as it's been years since I did it, but the only new wire that needs to be run is from the new sender. The red dummy light can be tapped into from the existing wire.
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focodave
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Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Fort Collins, CO

Re: oil pressure gauge install

Post by focodave »

I did it on my 1980.
Here's how to wire the gauge (these are the terminal markings on the back of the gauge and the associated places to wire them):
"HN" goes to the sending unit
"BN" goes to ground
"GN" goes to your +12 volt source
"B" goes to your dash light circuit

Easy-Peezey.

Works like a charm except be warned that the FIAT oil pressure gauge is not the most accurate or repeatable gauge.
It can sometimes put you in a temporary panic mode if you are not used to it's inconsistencies.

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1980 Spider 2000 F.I. (my hobby)
1970 MGB GT (my other hobby)
2008 Ford Expedition (daily driver)
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
2019 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Sportster
wetminkey
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Your car is a: 1979 2000 Spider
Location: Ault, Colorado

Re: oil pressure gauge install

Post by wetminkey »

Man, that looks nice, Dave! Quite an functional improvement, over having a clock,...!
I might copy your work. I hate that damn clock running constantly,...
1988 Mazda RX-7
1979 Fiat Spider 2000
1978 3/4 ton Chev 4x4 P/U "FRANKENTRUCK"
1976 Camaro
1972 VW Superbeetle
1969 Ford F100
1968 Mustang coupe
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focodave
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Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Fort Collins, CO

Re: oil pressure gauge install

Post by focodave »

Thank-you, Todd.
Yes, I am much more interested in my oil pressure than the time of day.
I only wished that the oil pressure gauge needle did not hang from the top of the gauge, but i still like it.
It would match the other gauges better if the needle swung from the bottom of the gauge -- oh well...
1980 Spider 2000 F.I. (my hobby)
1970 MGB GT (my other hobby)
2008 Ford Expedition (daily driver)
2019 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide Standard
2019 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Sportster
wetminkey
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Your car is a: 1979 2000 Spider
Location: Ault, Colorado

Re: oil pressure gauge install

Post by wetminkey »

I understand. But I didn't even notice until you mentioned it,...and I'm a REAL perfectionist (PICKY)! I can see how you'd notice it more if you're looking at all of the gauges as a group,...
Hell, it still looks great. And you're right about the need to check the time of day while in your car,...
Maybe to pickup that dinner date on time,...!
Certainly not to time your quarter-mile.
This Spider could actually be on the road RELIABLY in the next couple of days, Dave. Fix It Again Todd may not apply much longer!
1988 Mazda RX-7
1979 Fiat Spider 2000
1978 3/4 ton Chev 4x4 P/U "FRANKENTRUCK"
1976 Camaro
1972 VW Superbeetle
1969 Ford F100
1968 Mustang coupe
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dinghyguy
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Your car is a: 1981 spider
Location: Vancouver, Canada

Re: oil pressure gauge install

Post by dinghyguy »

Yea having olio,aqua, and benzina is so much nicer than oil,water and fuel......
I did it to both fiats and well worth it.
Focodave has the wiring nailed perfectly.
You might find some trouble getting the speedo cable off and then back on, but it can be done

Only difficult part might be finding a proper fiat plug like the originals to make it plug and play

While you are there put leds in all but the alternator lamp and be amazed at how good everything looks!

And if you really want you can redo the dash wood and put in a 6 gauge array so you can still have your clock.
Cheers
Dinghyguy
1981 Red Spider "Redbob"
1972 blue Volvo 1800ES "Bob"
1998 Red Ford Ranger
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geospider
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Your car is a: 1979 Spider 2000
Location: concord, ca

Re: oil pressure gauge install

Post by geospider »

Thanks to all. Not sure when I will get to it. Since I will do the dash at the same time, don't want to park it right now. Too much fun to drive . (sorry, Todd, not meaning to rub anything in).

yes, would be nice to find a plug, but will make it work.

thanks again

geo
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