CGT digital to analog conversion issues

[Huw Powell]

> Having settled the Datsun crunch issue and picked up a Coupe for
> daily driver duties, I am contemplating how to resolve the gauge
> issues. Namely there aren't any except for the console ones. Voltage
>  and oil temp are okay (grin) but I need to get at least a working
> speedo to register the thing. I have access to a complete GT dash at
>  bargain prices (analog) and am thinking that I prefer it to digital.
>  (Based on roommate's '86 GT with digital- I don't like it even when
>  it works!) Has anyone broken down the pinouts of the plugs on the
> backs of each cluster? I know they're probably quite different,
> obviously, but i figure it's a matter of hooking up a speedometer
> cable and matching up the harnesses.

> Rob

Hey Rob, it shouldn't be a total nightmare, since the idiot lights look
to be all the same (I'm looking at a digidash right now, and once
swapped console styles in my 82 cgt, which meant messing around a lot in
there).  The analog cluster screw right in, so you don't need much more
than that.  So there are only five things of concern.

1. tach.  analog runs right off the coil signal (the r/b/y wire).
2&3. water and fuel gauges.  I bet they run off the same senders, if
they don't, the water temp sender is easy to swap, the fuel sender
harder of course.
4. clock.  no biggie, runs off 12v.
5. speedometer.  You will need a speedo cable and a sender to swap into
your tranny.  Can I have the old digi sender, please?

oh, and if you want to make your life miserable, (not really) there are
the trip computer wires if you have that style cluster to install.

This is shooting from the hip, no btdt, by the way.

> I got sick of the instability of the digital dash.
>
> So, with the help of Mr. Ebay and time I converted to analog. It took
>  couple of months to find all the gauges with the right resistence
> ranges.
>
> Here is a pic: http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/2004/panel.jpg

Carlos, that is one nice looking custom instrument cluster!  Although,
since used 4k/cgt cluster should be a dime a dozen these days, the "cool
factor" is the only reason I can see to going to that trouble.

And another PS sort of thing, the console gauges.  They are also easy to
retrofit to a digital voltmeter car.  Not sure what's up with oil
pressure/temp gauging on an '86 digidash car, though.  Don't you get oil
temp and volts on a little panel behind the shifter?  Adding oil
pressure just means getting the two terminal sender for the block and
figuring out how to wire it correctly.  The wires might already be in
the harness, they were in a 4kq we did this to.

--
Huw Powell

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi

http://www.humanthoughts.org/