i just installed a VDO boost guage in an autometer a-pillar pod and when i get any boost readings i get a really annoying buzzing/vibrating noise from the guage and would liek to know if anyone has any quick solutions to this. I remember reading a thread about it a while back but for the past 40 mins ive been reading up and down through boost guage threads and couldnt find anything. TIA guys

 

I suggest that you take the gauge out of the pod, and test it. See if it buzzes when not in the pod. It is probably not mounted tightly. My VDO boost gauge makes no noise.

 

Is it due to the needle bouncing? If so, where did you tap into the manifold?

Otherwise, if it's not due to the mounting (like adam c mentioned), be sure the nylon tube (if that's what you used) isn't rattling or transmitting vibration from the engine. Does it change with RPM?

 

I have a PFS gauge (same as the VDO), and I have the same exact problem. Though, mines only happens when I let off the gas (at certain rpms). Mine's is caused by the boost gauge's needle bouncing.

 

Walien, If it's a mechanical gauge, it's possible you're getting a harmonic-type resonance due to where you tapped the pressure line and the length/material of the line to the gauge. If you are using a long rubber vaccuum line, that could be to blame.

Or the gauge isn't damped for some reason...

 

Well, I'm using a silicon line, and I tapped it into the nipple on the UIM. The length is about right... as it is just as long as I need it to be (with a little slack left).

 

WaLieN that sounds just like me, silicon into UIM with a tad bit more slack than needed just incase. But im going to try what u said adam about taking it out of the pod again because i tested the gauge when i first got it out of the pod and it made no noise so maybe it is just the mounting

 

Everyone else seems to tap into that spot w/out problems, so rule that out. That stretchy silicone line (as opposed to a hard nylon tube) could be to blame.

 

The reason this is probably happening is because of where you connected the boost hose to, if it's near the end of the intake manifold where it's closer to the engine, the needle will vibrate because it's closer to the where the intake ports of the motor are, therefore picking up pulses from the motor. Move the hose to where it's positioned closer to the throttle body, and this problem will go away.

 

Could this be due to an overly-sensitive gauge? I mean, tons of guys tap into the UIM nipple, w/o problems.

 

I had the same exact problem with my VDO gauge on my Audi. I replaced it with a different brand, and it went away. I just think the VDO gauge is garbage.

 

Porsche disagrees with you. They use VDO as OEM gauges on many of their cars. A few months ago I saw a fairly new Porsche Turbo with OEM VDO gauges. Of course, it didn't have a boost gauge

 

Porsche can disagree with me, but this isn't the 1st time I've heard of this problem with VDO boost gauges.

 

Just restrict the line (with a "pill" similar to what Mazda uses) to the gage near the gage. This will decrease or eliminate the pulsations and only slightly slow the gage response.

 

The cheapest gauges are not damped. The vibartion is actually the gauge being hyper sensitive. Put a restrictor in the line as DaveW says and it will go away.

 

What kinda pill should I get? Are there any variances in restriction that could cause an inaccurate reading?