My 07 Powerstroke F350, has 3 gauges; oil pressure, transmission temperature, engine temperature. Has anyone a link they could post to a website where I could determine what these three gauges are really telling me? I can't help but see all the information about additional, supplemental gauges as well as monitors and other devices available online. Some of these sound great and are pricey but... How do I read a stock gauge when the manufacture has left off the scale?
Thanks,
Jon
If they are anything like older Fords, the oil pressure gauge is little more than an idiot light. It will stay in the same place as long as it reads pressure, it will not vary with engine speed like a real oil pressure gauge does.
The temp gauges, while are closer to actual gauges, are slightly more than idiot lights, but to install close-tolerance-accurate gauges would cost another ten bucks a truck. You make a mental note of where the needle normally is when fully warm, if it goes higher than that you are in trouble.
Ford stopped using real oil pressure gauges due to all the warranty work from people complaining that they weren't always in the middle. Seems they can't win either way.
Matt Macchiarolo wrote:
Can this be? Oh no, don't say they are idiot lights with little hands. There must be some information I can garner from these dials. But if it is so: is it the gauge itself, the sensor, or both that are ill equipped to provide any information. If I have them redone can I use the same wiring harness.
Thanks, Jon
In the case of the oil pressure, the sensor is just a switch.
Keep in mind all of the sensors/switches send signals to the PCM, splicing into the harness may cause driveability problems. Sorry.
You could probably install aftermarket sensors in alternate locations for a new gauge pod.
Use a tee, put the factory sensor in one side, and then run oil line for a mechanical off the other.
Whitelightning
So the tee would allow my stock gauges to receive info. while a new replacement gauge could capture data off the other side? That would be a pretty neat trick.
I just wish there were a way to keep the instrument panel down to a bare minimum. I don't like a crowded cabin and keeping my eyes on the road and traffic is complicated enough.
I think I may have seen some of the custom instrument panels the Powerstroke club members and other websites highlight. Pods and the like. I am just looking for a little more control over this truck I just bought ( the bank really ) without going any further in this thing.
Wish these gauges told more. Thanks all,
Jon
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