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Wiring temp sensor to digidash on C20XE
mcg - 22/5/13 at 07:42 AM

Hi - I am running a C20XE engine with standard injection, and would like to connect up my Koso Digidash to the water temp sensor. There is only one (blue) wire coming from the temp sensor on the thermostat part of the cooling system. The digidash has a red and a black wire.

Can anyone tell me the way I need to wire it?

Thanks in advance.

Matt

Ben_Copeland - 22/5/13 at 10:46 AM

The one wire is the signal wire, it is effectively earthed through the engine, otherwise it would have two wires.

I'm guessing the red wire is signal and black is earth. Do you not have any wiring diagrams for digidash?

mcg - 22/5/13 at 11:33 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
The one wire is the signal wire, it is effectively earthed through the engine, otherwise it would have two wires.

I'm guessing the red wire is signal and black is earth. Do you not have any wiring diagrams for digidash?


The digidash comes with its own sensor, which I was hoping not to need as I figured that there is one on the engine already. The sensor obviously has two wires, but I assumed that as you say, its earthed through the engine. Unless it is a closed loop?

I must admit I have not checked the wiring diagram as yet, as I had assumed it to be different as I am using another temp sensor effectively. I don't know if the temp sensor on the engine is just to drive a warning light, or if it is to drive a gauge? Does anyone know?

Ben_Copeland - 22/5/13 at 11:52 AM

Its unlikely to work with the original c20xe sensor unless the dash is programmable.

I know that the vauxhall sensor doesnt work unless its earthed by the engine. I've tried it out and it didnt work.

mcg - 22/5/13 at 12:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Its unlikely to work with the original c20xe sensor unless the dash is programmable.

I know that the vauxhall sensor doesnt work unless its earthed by the engine. I've tried it out and it didnt work.


Do you know if it is possible to remove the original C20XE sensor and replace with the digidash one? Perhaps worth a look.

MikeRJ - 22/5/13 at 01:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Its unlikely to work with the original c20xe sensor unless the dash is programmable.


This. The dashboard will be programmed for the characteristics of the sensor it comes with, and if it's supplied with a two wire sensor then, unless one of the sensors wires is ground, it won't be compatible anyway.

Ben_Copeland - 22/5/13 at 02:37 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mcg
quote:
Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Its unlikely to work with the original c20xe sensor unless the dash is programmable.

I know that the vauxhall sensor doesnt work unless its earthed by the engine. I've tried it out and it didnt work.


Do you know if it is possible to remove the original C20XE sensor and replace with the digidash one? Perhaps worth a look.


You can get thread adaptors....

Ben_Copeland - 22/5/13 at 02:38 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
quote:
Originally posted by Ben_Copeland
Its unlikely to work with the original c20xe sensor unless the dash is programmable.


This. The dashboard will be programmed for the characteristics of the sensor it comes with, and if it's supplied with a two wire sensor then, unless one of the sensors wires is ground, it won't be compatible anyway.


Wont work then, the vauxhall gauge sensor is a single wire and body earth..

mcg - 22/5/13 at 02:59 PM

sounds like i just need to use the sensor that comes with the digidash.

Do you know if the ECU on C20XE uses the water temp for anything, or is it ok to remove that part to try and replace with the digidash water sensor?

Ben_Copeland - 22/5/13 at 03:46 PM

The ecu sensor is the 2 pin sensor next to it.
You must have this sensor if running original ecu otherwise it won't know what temperature the engine is and can't adjust fueling.

perksy - 22/5/13 at 03:49 PM

The ECU will use the coolant temp sensor to help calibrate the required mixture etc.

The water temp sender is used by the temp gauge to show you the engine temp.

If you use the correcrly matched sensor for your dash you shouldn't need to worry about calibration issues etc.

[Edited on 22/5/13 by perksy]