I got a question for you all out there. On my 78 Rabbit it has no temp gauge, just the idiot light. As everyone knows (who knows about these early VW diesels) is when the idiot light comes on, its usually too late. I'm going to install a temp gauge but I'm not too sure where to tap into. They use to make a kit where you cut the radiator hose and you can install a temp sensor or sender for the gauge, cant find one. My next thought is to tap into the temp sensor for the the idiot light. These things have 2 sensors, 1 in the side of the head in a flange for the light, the other in the radiator for the fan. Any thoughts???

 

I think for the kit where you kit the radiator hose and tap into it ur going to make it yourself out of brass fittings. You can go to a hardware store like Ace, lowes, or even oreilly's to go make a Tee and Tap into the radiator hose and attack the temp sensor for the gauge. If its an electrical gauge make sure that you ground the Tee for it to work.

For the other method, i guess you can remove the tap for the idiot light and but the temp sensor in its place, but i really don't know much about VW's

Just an idea, this is how i hooked up my boost guages by tapping into the waste gate hose.

 

Thanks! I actually tapped into the wire that goes in to the temp sensor for the idiot light. Seems to work, but I caused another problem with the glow plugs, too much resistance, so I got to figure out that problem now.

 

uh oh

 

How is your VW running Tye?

 

It runs great! I'm having a few issues with it. I've had to replace 2 outer cv boots, glowplugs, thermostat, waterpump just started leaking. Found a broken motor mount that will be replaced when we do the waterpump. Had to put a couple of tire on the front. Other then that, it's great! It took $21.00 to fill it last week and I've still got lots of fuel left. So compared to the $100.00 it would of cost me to fill the truck so I could go back and forth to work for 2 weeks, I'm still ahead!

 

Awesome. A cheap little car for sure.