VDO Gauge Cluster
- Thread starter halboyles
- Start date
I did this, but it was a ton of work. Also, the oil temperature gauge is not that useful, other than to let you know when your car is fully warmed up. Our cars have so much oil in them that unless you track your car high oil temperatures are not a problem.
As to your suggestion, I think you can buy stuff like that from Summit racing. There also used to be someone out there making a reproduction of an Alpina plate with a hood over it (that was not cheap). That said, I would think long and hard about the drop in value associated with drilling holes in NLA dash parts to put gauges up there. This would not be an easily reversable modification.
If you don't have a/c, or like me are willing to give up your radio, you might look into whether this can be made to fit:
store.vacmotorsports.com
As to your suggestion, I think you can buy stuff like that from Summit racing. There also used to be someone out there making a reproduction of an Alpina plate with a hood over it (that was not cheap). That said, I would think long and hard about the drop in value associated with drilling holes in NLA dash parts to put gauges up there. This would not be an easily reversable modification.
If you don't have a/c, or like me are willing to give up your radio, you might look into whether this can be made to fit:
VAC Motorsports Console Gauge Pod, BMW E46
VAC BMW E46 all M3 325 E46 Console Gauge Pod cluster ST3208 VDO defi STRI autometer
2002 should work:
BMW 1600 2002 V.D.O. gauge console / pod | eBay
This Custom 3 gauge console is designed to fit on the upper dash storage tray of your BMW 1600, 2002, e6 1968-76. This ideal location allows for safe and easy viewing. Constructed of hand laminated fiberglass then texture painted to match the dash of your BMW.
www.ebay.com
I have a speaker grill Alpina style gauge cluster, no drilling and reversible. I also ditched the oil temp gauge in favor of a volt meter.
Thank you for all the great ideas. I have many '02s with several gauge consoles but nothing that seemed to fit well on the e9 dash. I like the speaker grille possibility since it requires no cutting of the dash. And the dash on the Mintgrün is mint so I don't want to pull out the scapel.
As far as wiring goes, is there a convenient tap for 12v switched on the e9s? I know the '02 wiring well but haven't had time to explore the schematics on the '74.
As far as wiring goes, is there a convenient tap for 12v switched on the e9s? I know the '02 wiring well but haven't had time to explore the schematics on the '74.
No problem getting power to the speaker cluster.
Fuses 9 and 10 I think
Best solution me thinks:
e9coupe.com
Oil temp/pressure gauge
The recent red coupe on Bat had an oil temp/pressure gauge in place of the clock. I’ve never seen one before. Was this an option? Are they available?
e9coupe.com
Very interesting.
I talked to Paul Cain about his. He had his made up by a speedometer restoration shop in CA (North Hollywood Speedometer?). Needless to say, I did not see Paul's stuff until after I did mine.
As to getting power to the cluster, you can take switched power right off the back of the fuse block. This picture shows an early fuse block, but the idea is the same no matter what year car you have. If you look at the switched, fused power area on this fuse block underneath fuse 6 there is an open terminal in the green with black striped area. You could simply attached a wire to this terminal, and you would have fused power to your gauges. You could also use this same connection to measure voltage if you are installing a voltage gauge.
Note too that you need to find a place to tap into your gauge cluster light circuit if you want your gauges to light up when your cluster is lit.
As to getting power to the cluster, you can take switched power right off the back of the fuse block. This picture shows an early fuse block, but the idea is the same no matter what year car you have. If you look at the switched, fused power area on this fuse block underneath fuse 6 there is an open terminal in the green with black striped area. You could simply attached a wire to this terminal, and you would have fused power to your gauges. You could also use this same connection to measure voltage if you are installing a voltage gauge.
Note too that you need to find a place to tap into your gauge cluster light circuit if you want your gauges to light up when your cluster is lit.
I tapped on into the rheostat for the gauge bulbs so they come on with the lights and dim
Thank you for the specifics and the graphic. I am still amazed that there are only 6 fuses on these cars. I think I'll add a separate power hub like the Denali Power Hub 2 so adding accessories will be easier and safer.
Yes, a very good idea!
Does that thing have fuses? I did a quick look and didn't see them.
I actually installed under one of my rear seats a junction box from an e39 that I had laying around to extend power to my seat belt harnesses. You can get these cheap, with fuses and relays and pigtails. They don't look good, but they are well insulated and contain every function you need.
2003 530i OEM E39 M5 REAR TRUNK FUSE BOX JUNCTION FUSES HOLDER CARRIER RELAY | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2003 530i OEM E39 M5 REAR TRUNK FUSE BOX JUNCTION FUSES HOLDER CARRIER RELAY at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.com
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Six? Ten.
daddywad
Well-Known Member
this one interesting.
