VDO Gauge Set Up

This guide is used to how to put a VDO Oil PSI and Water Temp gauge in a M44, this may also work for a m42 but I did this on my very own m44.

I NOR 318ti.org TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY BREAK OR HAPPEN TO YOUR VEHICLE WHEN YOU DO THE INSTALL. DO AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Supplies

1. 2 gauges (of your choice, i chose prosport gauges) Oil Psi an Water Temp
2. Water Temp Adapter unit
3. Gauge Holder
4. m12x1.5 (male) to 1/8npt connector (female)
5. 18g wire (i used that since its all I had) A LOT OF IT
6. Misc connectors for wiring
7. Cold Beverage of your choice

OPTIONAL PARTS
1. Oil filter Housing gasket for m44 (p/n 11421709800)
2. Bush for the m44 (p/n 11421432228)
Don't buy the o-ring since it comes included on the bush!

So in order to add the gauges you will need to remove the oil filter housing, I recommend draining the oil before you remove the oil filter housing so you don't have a mess. After you have drained the oil from the motor proceed to remove the oil filter housing on the m44, there is a link at the bottom of this thread for the DIY. Once the oil filter housing is removed you will noticed on back there is a plug sender unit that has 2 cables coming off the back, unplug that plug and take out the housing from the motor. Now you may inspect the housing and have the change to clean it now if you choose to.

Once you have cleaned the housing and made it nice we will proceed into removing the stock oil pressure switch. My Switch was a 15mm and was stubborn to remove, use a little bit of liquid wrench and elbow grease. After you remove the Stock switch, its now time to put in the new connector you purchased. I used a custom stainless steel line made from a local race shop in Upland,ca and they made it about 14inch's long which was perfect for $15. I used a product called great white pipe joint compound instead of tefflon tape as a sealer on the threads just in case any leaks, after you install the male port into the housing install the sending unit into the female port on the connector.

Reinstall the oil filter housing with the optional new gasket and O-ring if you bought them, if not then reinstall. After you reinstall and make sure all the nuts an bolts are tight, top off the oil in the car and put the sender in a place where it is accesible for the fun parts begin. On the sender there should be two terminals, one for the ground and another for the signal line. Make some terminal connectors using the misc connectors you have already, Do not run wires thru the fire wall yet since you haven't done the cooling temp gauge yet!!.

Oil Filter Housing

http://www.318ti.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20854