Finally pulled the trigger and ordered an old school oil pressure / coolant temp combo gauge.

Getting ready to install and I’m fabricating a fitting for the temp sensor/capillary tube using one of Abran’s aluminum “T”s. Halfway through putting my custom fitting together and I’ve decided I’d rather go directly into the intake manifold.

Question - does the ‘04 D2 have 2 separate temp sensors - one for temp gauge, and one for ECU? If so, I’d eliminate the gauge sensor and put the mechanical gauge sensor in its place. If not, I may just end up drilling and tapping a hole in the manifold. I can go with 3/8 NPT or 5/8 UNF.

 

The temp gauge gets its information from the BCU/ECU (BCU gets the temp from the ECU). One reason it is not accurate is the gauge moves in increments as the BCU tells it vs. moving the needle in direct association with the actual temperatur.

Check your radiator. Underneath the out hose there may be a temp sensor. Some have it and some do not.

If you remove this sensor for your aftermarket gauge it may have an issue.

I put a sensor between the "T" and the thermostat. It reads about 2 degrees lower than my ODB2 reader.

Much easer modification vs. drilling and tapping into the manifold.

 

Only one sensor feeds the gauge and ECU, the one in the intake. The sensor in the radiator is only there for SAI trucks and only used to determine SAI activation.

 

Thanks for the quick responses.

I just looked at the manifold, not sure I'd have enough of a strait shot for the sensor to go through. Also, I do have SAI.

Sticking with plan A - the custom fitting.

I'll post some pics when I'm done.

Thanks!

 

Got it installed. Pretty happy with how it turned out. Only thing is the temp reading on the gauge is about 7 degrees higher than what I see with my OBD2 scanner. My scanner readings typically run steady between 183 and 185. Gauge is usually at 190 to 192ish. May look into calibrating the gauge down the road. Oil pressure reading seems slightly lower than the old Sunpro gauge I was running under the hood for years - only a couple of PSI. Custom fitting for the temp sensor bulb. Oil filter sandwich fitting with a steel braided line all the way to the back of the gauge. Rubber grommets through both holes (one existing one new). I’ll post some install pics later.

 

Nice job. Interested in learning more about how you're picking up the temp signal.

 

I butchered one of Abran’s beautiful aluminum T fittings. Cut off one end and welded a plug with a 3/8 NPT threaded hole for the temp sensor bulb.

 

Awesome. Well done.