I got a question for you all out there. On my 78 Rabbit it has no temp gauge, just the idiot light. As everyone knows (who knows about these early VW diesels) is when the idiot light comes on, its usually too late. I'm going to install a temp gauge but I'm not too sure where to tap into. They use to make a kit where you cut the radiator hose and you can install a temp sensor or sender for the gauge, cant find one. My next thought is to tap into the temp sensor for the the idiot light. These things have 2 sensors, 1 in the side of the head in a flange for the light, the other in the radiator for the fan. Any thoughts???

 

Why not use a "T" male - female adapter and plumb the gauge sender into the same port as the Idiot Light sender?

 

I'd put it where the sender for the idiot light used to be.... Other than that, I'd put it as close to the thermostat as I could get it. That being on the engine side of the thermostat. You want to read temperature from the place where it should get the hottest...

 

'Cause you won't get good readings that way. No flow, the tee will be a dead spot.

That's the way I'd do it. I don't need no stinkin' idiot light.

 

That's kinda what I was think'n as well.