Air Fuel Ratio Sensor / Gauge

[Kidlex01]

ok well i feel better now, that ive decided to keep my car and maybe think about do some serious engine mods just for fun, so i am looking at getting some gauges first to monitor how my car runs now so i can see the performance improvment. i want to get and air fuel gauge and sensor and oil sensor and gauge what would be the best ones to stick with for this, and where do i get the sensors from for this, the gauge pod and gauges i know where i can order them but as far as hooking them up how do i do this?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Kidlex01

i know where i can order them but as far as hooking them up how do i do this?

What year, model, engine size Grand Am?

Generally, the air/fuel gauge will connect to the wires on the front 02 sensor. The output is normally a purple wire that goes to the PCM and you tap in there at the sensor connector. The wiring will need to be run through the firewall if you go this route or you can tap into the right wire at the PCM connectors.

Oil pressure gauges normally connect to the oil pressure sending unit.

[Kidlex01]

Are you refering to the O2 sensor on the air intake or down on the headers? where is the oil pressure module.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Kidlex01

Are you refering to the O2 sensor on the air intake or down on the headers? where is the oil pressure module.

Depending on your engine, the oil pressure sending unit is located by the oil filter assembly. The 02 sensor where the air/fuel gauge needs connection is the one before the CAT convertor on the exhaust manifold header/downpipe.

[Kidlex01]

Got it, i have a 2.4L 2001 my fault for not mentioning it, with the online manual i have i should be able to find the sensors, so when i install them i tap into the purple wire for both of them, ive seen new harness's that have a purple wire that is already tapped to run to a gauge, when i run the wire into the interior to the gauge what should i look for as in where to place the wire , should i heat shrink it or whats the best from keeping it from getting screwed up?

[Kidlex01]

on the diagram i have i found the oil pressure sensor. but i cant find a diagram to where the sender is

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Kidlex01

Got it, i have a 2.4L 2001 my fault for not mentioning it, with the online manual i have i should be able to find the sensors, so when i install them i tap into the purple wire for both of them, ive seen new harness's that have a purple wire that is already tapped to run to a gauge, when i run the wire into the interior to the gauge what should i look for as in where to place the wire , should i heat shrink it or whats the best from keeping it from getting screwed up?

The purple wire is standard for all GM odb-ii cars whether 2.4 or 3.4, etc. so you can't go wrong plus as you mentioned the instructions that come with the gauges will state the same. There should be at least two points of entry where existing harnesses go into the firewall mainly at the area of the driver's side strut tower/firewall. You'll see the big o-rings. If you connect directly at sensor in the engine compartment I would recommend heat shrinking. Good luck!

[Kidlex01]

Thanks Bud i appreciate it...

[Kidlex01]

What are the most important gauges to have... personal preference is probably what everyone is gonna tell me, so i have the a/f , oil temp and trans temp, or is pressurse a better way to go?

[Kidlex01]

So the O2 sensor on the header under the heat shield is where i need to put the pigtail conector then run it through the heat shield upto the gauge and thats that, my a/f gauge is working. sounds easy enough except getting under the car. I can just take off the heat shield i dont have to take out the O2 sensor do i?

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Kidlex01

So the O2 sensor on the header under the heat shield is where i need to put the pigtail conector then run it through the heat shield upto the gauge and thats that, my a/f gauge is working. sounds easy enough except getting under the car. I can just take off the heat shield i dont have to take out the O2 sensor do i?

Sounds good to me.

BTW - The sensor can stay in the exhaust, just work with the wiring part.

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by Kidlex01

So the O2 sensor on the header under the heat shield is where i need to put the pigtail conector then run it through the heat shield upto the gauge and thats that, my a/f gauge is working. sounds easy enough except getting under the car. I can just take off the heat shield i dont have to take out the O2 sensor do i?

Ya Kidlex01, the purple wire on the front O2, which is in the header, is what the A/F gauge goes. You dont hav to remove the O2 sensor. Thiers not alot of room in thier, PFYC sells a thingy to hook up a A/F gauge, but you can just slice into it, it just needs covered where you sliced so it doesnt get wet or short out on some hot part down there.

As far as Important gauges, I'd go for the Oil pressure. With that once you hav it for a while you'll know if you are low on oil(which is a good thing) just by how its reading.

Trans temp is a good one too. That A/f gauge is ify, ify you hav any boost(super charger or turbo) its good to hav that gauge.

If you goto here PFYC and check out the gauges they hav instruction listed for all kinds of gauges and what all you need to hook each one up right.
Has some good pics too of the areas of the engine, and for powersourse hook ups you'll no doubt need. Like the lights for the gauges will need a hook up, on the dimmer if you'd like it to be "tricked out"

Good Hunting !

[Kidlex01]

so the gauge will work once its hooked up to the sensor but the lighting i will have to hook up to a power source to the dimmer how would i go about this?
PFYC is where i ordered the pod and gauge i havent seen any of the other info your talking about on there

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Kidlex01

so the gauge will work once its hooked up to the sensor but the lighting i will have to hook up to a power source to the dimmer how would i go about this?

If you don't want dimmer any 12v source under the dash or from the fuse boxes on either side of the dash. For dimmer control I'd tap into the output of the Instrument Panel dimmer control.

[Kidlex01]

well i do want the gauges to work with the dimmer, so if i turn the dimmer down on everything the gauges turn down to, but where do i connect that it would be the 12v source right the same one that controls the rest of the stuff on the dimmer?