Oil Temperature Gauge(s)...so what do I have here? Options

[GregAmy]

I've got a '74 2L, 4742918315. Thing was a rebuildable basket case when I got it, been hacking away...today's task was the center oil temperature gauge: it doesn't work.

In reviewing the wiring diagram it appears that I should have a green/black wire running from the sensor at the bottom of the engine to a green/black wire in the center console. However, while I have the red/white and brown wires going to the gauge, the third wire is...white. I used a VOM to ring out the white wire, and it does not go to the sensor wire in the engine compartment.

But here's another odd thing: the car also has a fuel combination gauge ("silver button") with a temp sensor in it. In reviewing various pages on the web, I'm thinking that's not what's supposed to be in this car; best I can tell, this car with a center console oil temp gauge should have a blank area at the top of the fuel combo gauge.

- What do I have here? Is this a center console that someone added on? It has an operational clock and voltmeter (which sucks, by the way).

- If this is the case, what is the plug with the white wire supposed to be for? I don't see anything obvious in the wiring diagram, there's no voltage to this wire, nor does it ring to ground at all.

Stumped, but intrigued...

Greg

[Dave_Darling]

Let's say I'm pretty sure... It could be that someone on the factory floor grabbed an oil temp combo gauge and then had to hunt up a piece of wire to make it work, but I'm skeptical of that. Especially with a silver-center combo gauge in a late 74 car, which should have no center marker in the combo gauge.

--DD

[GregAmy]

So I pulled the shifter boot cover and traced the wires back...and you're right, that white wire goes to nothing, it's clipped off under there and hanging out. The green/black wire goes into the factory connector then forward through the factory bundle.

I'm guessing you're accurate in that someone tried to install the console. Reading on Pelican's web site it seems to be an easy install. I'm not clear why that wire is white - it does look like a factory harness - or why a prior owner decided not to connect that to the sensor. Further, I cannot explain why I have an earlier "silver button fuel/combo gauge; either it's a late-inventory factory install or someone replaced it later in its life.

So, I have a decision to make. This is not a concourse restoration so I'm not concerned about having "incorrect" parts. Further, I find the center console gauges to be wucking forthless: the clock is disconnected so it doesn't drain the battery (who needs a clock, anyway?), the voltmeter displays inaccurate info (and gave me a heart attack a couple times when I stepped on the brake and/or use the turn signals), and the oil temperature gauge is giving me info I already have on the dash (I've seen that gauge move, but not a lot). I'm sure the "appearance group" gauges are more attractive to a future buyer, but maybe I'm better off finding one of those cubby hole center consoles and selling of this one? Otherwise, I'll have to move the sensor wire to the center console gauge and find a replacement fuel/combo gauge...

Dunno, thoughts appreciated.

GA

[GregAmy]

Another thought: how hard is it to fit a VDO oil pressure sender where the oil pressure switch is now (I don't know where it is)? I could add an oil pressure gauge to the center console with only a single wire addition (one that I think is already done for me, as a prior owner had an aux fan switch back to the heater blower...)

GA