D-90 FAQ - Interior & Comfort: Instrumentation


Topics covered:

For a source of excellent automotive quality gages, with integral warning lights, front and rear sealing, and even switched outputs for an external warning light, see the Voltmeters section.

Stock instruments

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From: Scott Monico[SMTP:smonico@monico.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 20
00 8:04 AM Subject: [D90] RE: NAS stock tach part #

My parts book shows the following:

Instruments and Gauges - 110
Tachometer #AMR1912

Instruments and Gauges - 90 - Manual G/box
Tachometer #AMR1912

Instruments and Gauges - 90 - Automatic G/box
Tachometer #AMR4975 Fitted up to TA999171
Tachometer #AMR5724 Fitted from VA999172

Scott Monico
97d90st

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Date: Fri, 30 Apr 1999 15:14:27 -0700
From: Bruce Bonar brbonar@wenet.net
Subject: Re: [D90] VDO gauges

gas: 2 1/16" (52mm)
tach: 2 1/16 (52mm) VDO part # 333-158
temp gage: 2 1/16 (52mm)
Speedo: 4" (100 mm) VDO part # 437-155, you may also need a sender.

Part #'s are for "Vision" gauges in a 94 D90. ymmv

Thanks,
Bruce Bonar
94 D90 "Spot"
w/ VDO tach, speedo, air pressure, and voltmeter gauges

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Speedometer (incl. diagnostics and programable speedo)

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From: Jamie Austin[SMTP:jamie.austin@austingroup.co.uk]
Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2000 4:15 PM
Subject: Fw: [D90] Speedo/stalling probs...

> Recently, my speedo started swinging all over the place and then gave up
> the ghost a few miles later. ....... AND.. my engine now stalls after running
> on the highway for a while, it won't
> hold an idle at rest. about 1/2 the time it will, but thats only if I've
> been going slow..

Sounds like the short bit of speedo cable (between the transfer box and the speed transducer) has snapped.part # PRC 6320 if it's making the engine run rough on idle then that's what i'd look for first. easy to get to, crawl underneath with a 10mm spanner, behind the handbrake drum you'll see the cable go into the transfer box. release the bracket and the cable will pull out. unscrew the other end from the speed transducer. you can then spin the cable inside the cover and see if it's broken.

Jamie
'96 Tdi D110
'92 V8i D90
'85 Tdi D90

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From: Chris "V"[SMTP:tchris@freewwweb.com]
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2000 8:57 AM
Subject: Re: [D90] VDO Part number and install

> Can anyone email me the VDO Part number for the programmable speedometer
> that several list members have installed. I am going to bigger tires
> and I would rather have the reprogramable than try to find the
> appropriate resized gear. Any tips on the install?

From: Chris "V" : tchris@freewwweb.com
I got mine through Summit Racing don't remember the part # just order the correct diameter

From: Bruce R. Bonar : brbonar@wenet.net
Actually VDO makes quite a few different Speedometers that will fit. There are
variations in illumination, waterproofness, graphics, scale, etc. Anyone
interested in upgrading instruments should get their catalogs.
I used a 437-155 speedometer with a 340-011 sender in my 94.
Installation varies by year, is your's a 97?

From: Chris "V" : tchris@freewwweb.com
'97's wont need the sending unit, but should be the same gauge.

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From: Alan E. Foster[SMTP:alan.foster@vt.edu]
Sent: Friday, June 16, 2000 12:51 PM
Subject: Re: [D90] VDO speedo's

On price of the VDO gauges, there seems to be a good selection and price range at egauges.com; they're got programmables from $140-$165 ...
http://www.egauges.com
-Alan

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From: Craig Reece[SMTP:craigreece@earthlink.net]
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2000 1:25 PM
Subject: [D90] VDO speedo install (attn. FAQ editor)

I just installed 4.01 gears and my speedo was reading 70 when I was going 45, so I broke down and bought the VDO programmable speedo that many on the list have. Bruce Bonar provided the list (via the FAQ section) with the right part numbers (for a '94 or '95) - the speedo is 437155, the sender (Hall-effect speedometer cable) is 340011. And Bruce explained that you've got to go to a speedometer shop and have them make a new end for your old speedo cable to use it as an adapter. When I called a local speedo shop they didn't have a clue, so I called tech support at VDO, and here's what you tell the speedo shop:

1. Tell them you will bring in the new VDO sender/cable and your old cable.

2. Ask them to install a 7/8" x 18 male end onto your old cable. This new male end gets installed on the speedometer end of the cable, and this (newly shortened) cable only needs to be 3-4" long. The existing female end of your original cable is retained.

3. Using this new short cable as an adapter, screw the original female end into the little frame mounted box right where it used to go, and screw the new male end into the female end of the VDO sender/cable, and zip-tie the sender box (which is a cube about 1-1/2" on each side) to the frame so it doesn't bounce around.

4. Hook up the speedo end of the sender/cable to the VDO speedo.

5. Calibrate per directions.

6. Drive around in complete confidence that your speedometer is accurate for a change.

Craig Reece

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From: Bruce R. Bonar[SMTP:brbonar@wenet.net]
Sent: Monday, July 24, 2000 5:14 PM
Subject: Re: [D90] VDO speedo install (attn. FAQ editor)

> Bruce R. Bonar wrote:
> > I installed the Disco cold weather chip. part number PRM 3652.
> >
> > Works like a charm. WARNING: I understand that chips are not necessarily all
> > hte same. What worked for me 18 months ago may not be programmed the same now.

When I put on the 33" Swampers w/ 4.10 gearing my calibrated VDO Speedometer told me I was going about 69 mph when the speed limiter shut me down. Very frustrating as you head up I-5 where the speed limit is 75.

The speed limiter get an output "upstream" of where the new speedometer cable connects. The gearing and tires are what did me in.

Bruce

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From: Jeff Gauvin[SMTP:jeff.gauvin@lsil.com]
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2000 2:46 PM
Subject: [D90] ECU re-calibrator

At 10:28 AM 7/28/2000, I wrote:
> From there it should be easy (for an Electrical
>Engineer, such as myself) to design a circuit that corrects the
>pulse rate for non-stock tire/gear combos.

Wow, it took some searching, but I found *EXACTLY* what I would have designed!

http://www.atrol.com/cx_era.htm#era

I would have charged less than $133 bucks though... :-)

Jeff Gauvin
'94 D90

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From: Jamie Austin[SMTP:jamie.austin@austingroup.co.uk]
Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2000 11:36 AM
Subject: Re: [D90] Odometer cable

If the transducer/sender unit that fits near the gearbox has the same speedo cable fitting as the standard LR part, then you can use the short (About 7") cable off of the Range Rover 4 speed autobox. That's what I use on my V8i 90 to run the speed transducer. Part number is..

Wait for it guys....

OK then, here you go...

PRC 6320

  Question: the VDO programmable speedo? is this the one that was mentioned that you just hold the reset button down on 'ignition switch on' and drive for 1 mile to calibrate the tyre/final drive/gearbox ratio??? It would be VERY handy for me.

  jamie.austin@austingroup.co.uk
'96 Tdi D110
'92 V8i D90
'85 Tdi D90

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From: Bruce R. Bonar[SMTP:brbonar@wenet.net]
Sent: Friday, March 03, 2000 11:16 AM
Subject: Re: [D90] VDO Speedo

On my '94 I used:
Speedo: 437-155
Sender: 340-011

Total cost $175.

You'll also need your local speedo shop to make up a very short adapter to connect the sender where the cable was previously connected. This is because the threads are not the same. My cost was about $20 while I waited.

Wire in the new speedo using directions supplied by VDO. Run wire from sender to speedo using same routing as removed cable. If you need better directions than what comes with the VDO speedometer than you shouldn't try it. If I ever get time Q I'll write up a detailed description.
Bruce Bonar
94 D90 "Spot"
95 D90 SW "Stella"

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Tachometers

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Date: Wed, 05 May 1999 18:40:10 -0700
From: "Bruce R. Bonar" brbonar@wenet.net
Subject: Re: [D90] many questions...

The original OEM tachs on 94 NAS D90's are VDO's, as are the other gauges I believe. The problem with the stock tach is that an alternator change eliminates any semblance of accuracy. My replacement VDO can be calibrated. The "Vision" series of gauges are also MUCH easier to see, the lighting has been greatly improved.

Rick Larson adds:
I run mine off the 2nd, aux. stator output of the Premier Power Wielder Regulator. VDO also offers the "same" tach in many versions, distributor drive, etc.

Bruce Bonar
94 D90 "Spot"

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Fuel gages, senders, & plumbing

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Date: Sun, 02 May 1999 07:56:08 -0700
From: Jeremy Bartlett bartlett@slip.net
Subject: Re: 2: [D90] VDO gauges

Bruce Bonar wrote:
> While on the topic, does anyone know:
>
> 1. Is the fuel level sender on a 94 NAS D90 10-180 ohm (VDO
> sender), 240-33 ohm (US sender), 0-90 ohm (GM sender), or some other
> ohm range?

As far as I've been able to determine, the D90 should be the same as the Classics at 270 to 19 ohms.

> 2. Ohm range for temperature gauge?

30,000 cold to about 80 hot.

Jeremy

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Temperature gages, senders, & plumbing

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VDO Temperature Sender and numbered Gauge

Just so it is documented somewhere. My temperature gauge gave up. Replaced it with a new one that reads in degree's. Matches my programmable VDO speedo and tach.

VDO Vision Temperature Gauge: 250 degrees F, 310 105
VDO Sender, 250F, 5/8-18UNF, 323 422

Total cost ~$60.

-Rick

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From: Robert Dassler[SMTP:roadsiderob@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 29, 2000 9:52 PM
Subject: Re: [D90] Transmission gauge (was Need Some Auto Tranny Help)

>Since space seems to be a problem on mounting any gauge in a D-90, I am in
>the process in installing a custom made Quad gauge in ours.
>(gauge pic at http://www.gulfcoastrovers.com/rovers/quad_gauge/index.htm)
>I will mount the small thermal couple in the 3rd members and the threaded
>ones in the transmission & transfer-case.
>I will post the finished install on our site soon as it is done. - Alan

An easy way to mount additional gauges in a D-90 is to use a center dash panel out of a 97 soft top. It goes in the center of the dash in the parcel tray area directly above the hazard switch/clock. You can easily fit 3 21/16 VDO or similar gauges neatly. This will not work on a station wagon as the rear wiper switches are mounted there. I did this in my 94 and it turned out great. For a water temp gauge with numbers, the sender must be changed. I found that running a 3/8 pipe tap (I think) into the original sensor mount hole in the manifold allowed fitting the sensor. On the oil pressure sensor, I drilled out the center of one of the factory block off plugs on the pump and tapped it to 1/8 pipe threads. By using some 1/8 pipe elbows and tubing, I was able to mount the sensor. The oil pump uses some really large, odd size plugs and I could not find a sensor to screw directly in. NAPA sells VDO gauges and sensors and all parts are available individually. I will be installing a similar setup in another D90 in a couple of weeks--I'll try to come up with part numbers if possible.

Rob Dassler

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From: Robert Dassler[SMTP:roadsiderob@hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, September 29, 2000 9:02 PM
Subject: trans temp sender

David
The trans temp sender is in the cooler line that runs by the power steering box. It is right by the box. It is tied in with the t-box sender and either will turn the gearbox overheat light on. It is enclosed in a rubber boot that fills up with water/crud which will sometimes corrode the sensor and turn the light on even though there is no problem. Sort of like mounting it in a bucket. I am not sure if there is one on an auto trans D-90 though, I never had a problem or thought to look.

Rob Dassler

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Pressure gages, senders, & plumbing

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From: Brian Bonner[SMTP:enigma90@mindspring.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2000 8:56 AM
Subject: Re: [D90] Re: Oil Pressure gauge fitting

> I think Brian B. just did this and used one of the unused pipe plugs
> in the oil pump cover just above the filter. Maybe he can give more
> specifics. The only thing I don't like about that spot is that it
> reads "best case" pressure, right at the pump. I'd probably rather
> have "worst case" pressure at the tail end of the cam or something.
> This is usually where the stock sensor (for the idiot light) is
> plumbed in and a typical solution is to put in a pipe tee and run the
> gage from the same point as the stock sensor. I haven't checked the
> LR motor to see if this is practical, though.

yeah. on my 94 D90 the idiot light sender is on the oil pump housing above the filter. LR was nice enough to provide a second plug higher up for isntalling a second sender for a guage. I went electrical so I had the plug tapped for the sender, he would tap it for the bushing. which is probably the same 1/4 NPT. You cannot get an adapter as the hole is 1/2 x20 thread.

If he goes electric this would be the way to go. unless he wants to spend 120.00 on a LR electrical sender, and some rediculous money for the guage. I used VDO guages.

Alan Dobbs[SMTP:gulfcmt@flash.net] added:
I mounted a mechanical VDO and ran wire braid ultra high-pressure hose. So far so good, and no problems with over 3 years of abuse. If it was to break I believe it would be caused by chaffing (rubbing against something) and not a over pressure blow out. Here is a link to see the install:
http://www.yellowdefender.com/accessories/interior/gauges/index.htm

Alan Dobbs

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Air/Fuel mixture gages, senders, & plumbing

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From: John C. Hinkle[SMTP:defender110@email.msn.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2000 4:54 PM
Subject: RRO: Re: 02 Sensor wires

> There are three wires going to the 02 sensor in my 95 RR.
> Black- ground
> blue-12v to sensor????
> white/orange-signal from sensor???
>
> Does anyone know? I'm in the process of wiring in a rich lean gauge

The blue wire is the signal to the computer.

Chris Hinkle

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Voltmeters

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From: Gomes, David[SMTP:david.gomes@us.gambro.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2000 10:59 AM
Subject: RE: [D90] Amp or Volt gauge?

I've been thinking about the same question lately, Cliff. They had a big go-'round on the LRO list about this a couple months back. Personally, I think I lean toward a volt meter. Mainly for the easier installation. I too am a little uncomfortable running all the juice for the truck through that ammeter. I've done it before. It's not hard to do well. The volt meter is just simpler. But, it's a lot of personal preference, either will do okay for the normal car circuits. One advantage of a volt meter is you can see how far it's dropping when you're cranking the engine or winching. An ammeter can't give you an idea of battery health under those conditions.

One thing I would recommend is to get a gage that has a built in warning light. Great as gages are for telling what's really going on, they aren't great eye catchers since the difference between good and bad can be only a few degrees of angle on a needle. This is especially true of electrical gages which, by design, have to cram their full scale into 90 degrees of travel. A warning light is a great attention grabber that will stick out to alert you the instant an unfavorable condition exists. I think Clarke Williams knows of a source for gages with integral warning lights.

------ Editor's addition --------
The source is Datcon Instruments
Especially the Illuma-Seal Smart Instrumants Series 2000, and 2001
Here's an example of a Series 2000 Volt Meter
------ end editor's addition --------

If the gages are anywhere other than immediately in front of the driver (say, top of the d90 instrument pod) I'd be tempted to wire all of the warning lights through some diodes and a relay, to activate a big "CHECK GAGES" light mounted prominently in front of the driver. There's nothing like having a rod knock cause you to look at an oil pressure gage reading zero........don't ask.....

Until you get a warning light, one thing that can help is to orient the gage such that the needle is pointing straight up under normal conditions. This is why you see gages mounted at crazy angles in race cars. All needles straight up = situation normal. Anything other than straight up will catch your eye with a quick glance. When you're concentrating on the driving, you'll be lucky if you can spare even a glance.

Best of luck,
-Dave G.

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From: Jamie Austin[SMTP:jamie.austin@austingroup.co.uk]
Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 1:53 AM
Subject: Re: [D90] Amp or Volt gauge?

If you want to easily fit a voltmeter and you don't smoke (how can these two be related you ask?)

Where the cigar lighter is on the Defender dash, there are two 52mm holes behind the plastic panel that holds said cigar lighter and the rear wash/wipe switch on SW models. If you can live without the cigar lighter (I can, I don't smoke or run any 'plug in' accessories) then remove the lighter and you have an instant, pre-wired, source of earth, ignition fed +12v, and panel light feed!

Just connect these to the back of the voltmeter and hey-presto! I did it on mine, and verified it straight onto the battery with a digital voltmeter and the feed through the cigar lighter gives an accurate reading.

Jamie Austin
'96 D110 Tdi
'92 D90 Tdi
'85 D90 V8i

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Ammeters

NO INFO YET

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