installing an external oil pressure sensor

[belacane]

So, I am pretty sure the oil pressure gauge in my cluster for my '86 Brat  is dead/defunct/a stiff/pushing up the daisies/joined the choir invisible..... 

 

I just got myself an aftermarket oil pressure gauge (prosport), and never having installed one before was wondering if it's possible to just wire it to the oem sender that's next to the filter in the ea81....

 

It says it does come with it's own sender unit though, so is there another oil galley plug where such things are normally installed? 

 

Thanks in advance from a beginner

[NorthWet]

Gauges are matched to their senders.  Trying to use the original, possibly bad sender does not seem like a good idea. 

 

Be aware that the thread size/pitch on the sender may not match the oil pump port.

[belacane]

Be aware that the thread size/pitch on the sender may not match the oil pump port.

 

 

 

But it will match some type of plug to the oil galley yes?

[NorthWet]

Unless it specifically says it fits, you may have to get an adapter.  Just be forewarned, and don't force the threads.  (<- tough advice to explain, since the threads are probably pipe threads, tapering, and are meant to get tight.

[belacane]

Unless it specifically says it fits, you may have to get an adapter.  Just be forewarned, and don't force the threads.  (<- tough advice to explain, since the threads are probably pipe threads, tapering, and are meant to get tight.

 

where might I find such an adapter?

[TomRhere]

GeneralDisorder posted a while back on making his own by cutting the nut/threaded portion off of the sender, then drill/tap it to needed thread size.

 

If you don't have needed drill and tap, you could try hardware or parts store and ask if they could do it for you.

[NorthWet]

Before you get too excited or worried, see if the sender will thread in.  My comments were to forewarn, not to scare.

 

The one time I had to get an adapter, I think I got it at either a good auto parts place or a "speed shop" (specialized in hot-rod stuff).

[belacane]

so it will (or will with an adapter), thread in to where the old sender unit is/was?

[belacane]

bump for the above question

[TomRhere]

Depends on what fittings the new one came with as to whether it will thread in where the sending unit is.

 

There is another port on the pump for a pressure switch for models with the oil light vs. gauge.

You can use that port for the new unit and leave the sending unit where it is. As long as the sending unit doesn't leak, you'll be good to go.

[belacane]

Depends on what fittings the new one came with as to whether it will thread in where the sending unit is.

 

There is another port on the pump for a pressure switch for models with the oil light vs. gauge.

You can use that port for the new unit and leave the sending unit where it is. As long as the sending unit doesn't leak, you'll be good to go.

 

Thanks Tom :)

[belacane]

Apparently this runs off the 12v accessory power...

where would I find that? what does it look like? 

Also, where is the headlight switch?

 

If anyone has photos or diagrams that would be extremely helpful!

[TomRhere]

Now, this is just the way I would wire it up.

 

Pull the radio surround out so you can get to the wiring harness for the radio. Body side of wiring harness color code is;

 

Blue/Yellow wire is from Fuse #5, which is fed from the Accessory side of the Ignition switch, = gauge power feed.

 

Black wire is ground, = gauge ground.

 

Red and Red/Green wires are for the back light of the radio, and are controlled by the dash lighting brightness control.

 

The back light in the gauge must have separate wires just for the light, or it won't work with the rest of the dash lights as far as brightness control goes.

If,,, it doesn't have separate wires for the light, and the light shares ground with the rest of the gauge, tie the light wire to the Red wire of the wiring harness. That will turn light on/off with the headlight switch.

[belacane]

Now, this is just the way I would wire it up.

 

Pull the radio surround out so you can get to the wiring harness for the radio. Body side of wiring harness color code is;

 

Blue/Yellow wire is from Fuse #5, which is fed from the Accessory side of the Ignition switch, = gauge power feed.

 

Black wire is ground, = gauge ground.

 

Red and Red/Green wires are for the back light of the radio, and are controlled by the dash lighting brightness control.

 

The back light in the gauge must have separate wires just for the light, or it won't work with the rest of the dash lights as far as brightness control goes.

If,,, it doesn't have separate wires for the light, and the light shares ground with the rest of the gauge, tie the light wire to the Red wire of the wiring harness. That will turn light on/off with the headlight switch.

 

Brilliant, thank you! I'm going to do this... I'll let you know how it goes.

[TomRhere]

Depends on what fittings the new one came with as to whether it will thread in where the sending unit is.

 

There is another port on the pump for a pressure switch for models with the oil light vs. gauge.

You can use that port for the new unit and leave the sending unit where it is. As long as the sending unit doesn't leak, you'll be good to go.

Apparently, the EA81 pumps do not have a 2nd port like the EA82 pumps do.

I looked at 2 EA81 pumps yesterday, no 2nd port.

 

Sorry to mislead you on that.

 

So,,, pull the original sender, compare it's thread to what adapters the new one came with. If you don't have one that will work, take the original sender and the one for the new unit to a parts store, see if they can get an adapter for you.

 

Can always do the cut, drill, tap of the old one like I mentioned before.