Okay, so I just got to bring home my first RX7 today (1981 GSL) and the 2nd owner (I'm 4th) had the engine swapped for a 13B+Turbo setup and didn't hookup the Temp gauge and the Oil Pressure gauge. The owner I bought it from didn't know how so he didn't do it and now I'm here. I consider myself a pretty handy guy when it comes to wiring/general engine stuff but I've never wired a car gauge so I figured I'd ask for help before ******* something up too badly. I appreciate the help.

I have a picture of my Thermostat wire and 2 wires I found that weren't hooked up to the "Check Relay " box. (Check Relay=Code box?)

Can anyone point me in the right direction with how to hook up my Temp/Oil Pressure and possibly tell me what those two unplugged wires do? Plugging them in didn't do anything and I don't want to plug something in that I'm not supposed to.

PS: Car doesn't/didn't seem to be overheating but I really would rather be safe than sorry when it comes to my (new) baby.

Thanks
-Ghooble

 

welcome to the board.

1. get a copy of the FSM!

2. both of the senders you'll need for the gauges are located on the ignition side of the engine (driver's side), on the rear side housing, near the oil filter.

3. you will want to refer to factory wiring diagrams for the relays in your photos. some of it is factory stuff, but it looks like a previous owner added some stuff to that area as well.

 

1. I was reading the free ones that are in the FAQ but I'll admit I can't read the wiring diagrams too well Where can I get the manuals that come stock with the car?

2. Great! I'll take a look, do I just find some plugs at like Harbor Freight that will fit into the sockets?

3. Okay, I'll try reading the diagrams in the online Manuals again.

Thank you for your help
-Ghooble

 

yeah, just take some time to download a complete one and then you can just print pages as you need it.

why wouldn't you just plug the stock connectors? is your stock harness cut or something?

 

Yeah I'm guessing the guy cut it when he swapped the 13B in because I can't find connectors that reach out to the Thermostat and I don't even know where the Oil Pressure hookup is (though I intend to find out)

 

just locate the oil filter. there should be two senders below it. one is round (about 40mm diameter) with a slip-on blade connection, that's the oil pressure. then there should be a much smaller one (maybe 10mm???) with a bullet connector, that's the coolant. you really can't miss them.

there should have been no reason to cut the harness because the 13Bs up to 1992 use the same senders and the newer ones can be retrofitted with them.

 

I'm having trouble finding them still unfortunately. Slip on Blade connection like the male version of the Thermostat one I have a picture of correct? Sorry for the questions. And I'm not quite sure why all these wiring mods were done to the car. I'm just trying to pick up the pieces from the Swap.

 

post a photo of your engine - focus in on the area just below the oil filter.

 

So do you mean that metal nub?

 

/\/\ that is actually the coolant temp sender.
The oil pressure sensor looks like a "bell" and has a little round "Flat rivet" type connector on it.

 

Thank you so much, so I wire that temp sender in the picture to the thermostat by the alternator in my other picture correct? I really appreciate this.

 

No,there should be a wire close to the oil pedestal that goes to the oil pressure sender and another single yellow wire that goes to temp sender.You shouldn't have to run anything.
Now,If you have a different harness or swap,whatever,..I would be opting just to go with aftermarket gauges,putting a sandwich plate on the oil filter pedestal and running a sender there.
You can tap the water pump for a water temp gauge OR get a hose adapter that you can put a sender in.Basically you split the hose in 2, put the coupling in,which has the hole for sender in it,and put in back on.The sender reads the temp of the coolant running through the hose.

 

Pic ..scroll down..
http://www.buddyclub.us/~OldSiteCont...es/series.html

 

Thank you so much. I'm not big on tapping my water pump so I'll probably go with the split hose route. I really appreciate it.