Hey Guys,

I have browsed this forum a lot but just now made an account. I am 17 and just got my first car, a Volvo 1993 940 Wagon, moms old car ... I'd say I am pretty tech savy and can figure a lot out on my own, I know how to change the oil, lightbulbs, windshield wipers, etc etc nothing real hard. I kind of want to put a vacuum gauge on my dashboard so I can see the manifold pressure while I drive for fuel economy reasons, but since the car is a 1993 it doesn't have the OBD II so I can't connect anything to it, which is what I rather do. The guage I was looking at is electronic (for the backlight, etc) and needs to be connected to a 12V line that is on when the ignition is on...I have kind of poked around but I don't really want to break anything ...

So I was wondering how does one remove the dash to get at the wires? I haven't found anything online so it must be really easy and I am missing something because no one has asked how to do it.

Also any tips for installing guage, or prefrences for the guage, or any other tips for a new driver besides the don't speed and don't be stupid ones, more like mechanical tips.

Thanks!

 

Is it turbo'd or NA?

If you are turbo'd...just go ahead and get the boost/vacuum gauge. Autometer is really good check here for gauges: http://www.egauges.com/
I like to mount my gauges as close to me as possible. Like an A pillar gauge pod or in the dash or on the dash near the steering wheel.
Check here for pods: http://www.gaugepods.com/volvo.htmlYou can see my car (the first single pod link for 700/900).

As far as setting them up well that is up to you. I like the mechanical boost gauge, and I feel more comfortable doing that then doing electrical installs (that is what my dad helps me with).

(Moderater) Tech installed of his gauges in one of his air vents.

 

Here is a pic of my guages. But remember I have a 850. Tap in by the headlight switch for the light wire.

 

Haha, that's pretty cool I might do that ...

Its not turbo'd....I wish it was though...

If I tapped into the headlight switch it'd only work if I turn my headlights on, right? The guage I am looking at also has a dimmer which dims it 30% so you could hook it up to your headlight wire and when you turn your headlights on, it'd dim.

I am kind of concerned about putting holes in the dash/vent just because if I decide I don't want it anymore, I am stuck with a hole...

Thanks!

Edit:

This is the gauge I am looking at:
http://www.amazon.com/Tinted-7-Color...f=cm_cd_f_pb_i

I was also thinking, is it at all illegal or would put me more at risk to be pulled over? I live in Massachusetts if any would happen to know...

 

Thats not to bad. Try to get a spare vent from the junkyard to hack up. I had a spare one and used that.

You can run a wire to the fuse box if you need switched power.

 

Ok, I will look into running a wire from the fuse box, any idea on how that would work? Like maybe what I would need or anything?

Good idea about getting a spare vent, I think if I do put it in the vent I will definitely do that.

 

Tap into one of the fuses they have a special thing that slides over the end of the fuse and you plug the fuse in and connect a wire to it.
Or look and see if there is a spare slot for running wires on the panel.

Is you fuse panel under the radio or by the drivers door?

 

Its under the radio, its 7:18 and dark right now I will go out and look tomorrow morning to see what I can attach to it any precautions I should know about if I do hook it up to the fuse panel?

 

Not really just be careful.

 

Ok sounds good

Thanks Again!

Edit:

Where would I run the wire...I'd have to run it under the dash and stuff for it to be hidden, so how would I get the dash off or enough the hide the wires and tube...


Would it be easier to just get a mechanical one? Would it be more or less accurate/cool good looking factor?

 

The lower panel comes out it isn't that hard to get out. I forget exactly but I think there is plastic screws that you turn a little to release and the panel will come down.(Black panel by brake pedal)

 

Ok, I'll go look in a little while, thanks!

Ok I got the bottom off, but I couldn't find a hole in the firewall to run a hose through, any ideas on that? How big is a vacuum hose, it would be bad to put a hole in the firewall right? I think there are plenty of wires to take the power from :P, I don't have a voltmeter with me so couldn't check which ones go where.

 

On my 745t, thereis a small group of wiresat the left towards the side of the car which goes through a 1inch rubber seal.
I can take a pic for your...let me get my camera.

It will be easier if you just take apart the driver lower dash. It will ad a few mins. but it is a lot easier to work on.
Here you go:

 

Yeah that's what mine looks like also, I can just run the hose through there? OK, I will try it, when I do get the gauge... and what about getting the wires and hose up to the dash board area or column area and "hiding" them

 

The wires are going to be hidden no matter where you put the gauge, because the wires are under/ behind the dash. The only part that will be exposed is right by the gauge, but that is what a pod is for.
If you are doing a pod on top of the dash you will need to drill a little hole for the wires to go though..
If you follow techs Sweet vent idea...the wires will just fall behind the dash.

Personaly...I would do the A pillar pod like tech has. It is actually a really easy install and hides the wires.

 

Ok I think I might do that. I gotta sit an my car and look at my dash from drifferent angles and see what it will look like... Thanks
edit:
Hey Tech, I was wondering how big the gauges were that you had on your pillar? The 2 1/16" gauge looks kind of small, I just cut out a piece of paper, and the 2 5/8" looks good, on amazon, they don't have any that look good

Also the gauges on here
http://www.gaugepods.com/volvo.html
they are just the pod right? How big are they? Will a 2 1/16" or 58mm gauge fit in it?

 

The standard gauge size is 52mm or 2 1/16". I did the same thing with a peice of paper. there are not that small.

The guys at guagepods.com sell the standard size of 52mm. But they can make any size you request at the time of purchase.
and yes...Gauge pod only.

 

Thanks for clearing that up

A note with the fuse box, I don't think I have any open spots to put a wire in? Can I just stuff one in and the put the fuse back on top of it?, and then I'd need to get the wire to the pillar...

 

Yes you can do that.

 

Ok, I'll probably do that...