Thread: Replacing 'idiot' lights with gauges?

Seems pretty easy to me if your going to mount some gauges external to the dash. I prefer to use autometer gauges, you'll have to change the oil and water temperature sender as well. All you need is water temp,oil pressure, and a voltmeter.

AL

You can usually just replace the sendors for the lights for senders for the gauges. A 1984 probabally doesn't have fuel injection, but just in case it does, GM has the oil pressure switch going to the ASD relay and fuel pump relays so put a T connector and both the gause sender and the old switch. You could also go to a bone yard and pick up a cluster with gauges and then swap. If you do buy gauges don't buy cheap ones, a cheap temp gauge cost me and engine.

yes it's a carbed engine.

and AFAIK all of GM's various models of the caprice had idiot lights with the exception of the 1990 model.

hmmm, i'll look around.

shouldn't be too much of a problem then since you shouldn't have to worry about computer sensors.


Seems funny doesn't it, we put a better computer in our cars to play mp3's than the ones that control the engines.

another thing you could do is get t fittings so you have both the idiot light, and the gauge.

as for oil pressure gauge, i suggest you get an electric one, unless you want to run an oil line to your gauge

Originally posted by 00CericaRuss
another thing you could do is get t fittings so you have both the idiot light, and the gauge.

as for oil pressure gauge, i suggest you get an electric one, unless you want to run an oil line to your gauge

Thanks for the heads up on that.

no prob... another head's up... mount the sender for the oil pressure to something sturdy, the t connector may not hold it and could break.

thanks again, unfortuantely, this is a back burner project. hoping I can get a 70 ford maverick for a project car