The problem is that your approach only calibrates for normal temp. It
does nothing to address the issue I expressed doubt about. The VW temp
gauge has an over temp warning led circuit built into the gauge to get
the driver's attention when the temp is too high. How does your resistor
affect the point at which this warning is triggered?

Mark

Paul Guzyk wrote:

> In my experience, Subie engines run normally at about 178-183 degrees C.
>
> When installing a Subaru into a Vanagon, I now use the Subaru single
> wire (for dash)  temp sender and the B10 scan tool
> http://www.graphics.cornell.edu/~v/b10scan/  with an old PC to
> initially ensure the engine is running at proper temperature (the B10
> software uses the Subaru two wire ECU temp sender).
>
> Once the engine is consistently running around 180 degrees, I then
> try different resisters (15-30 ohm usually) inline with the single
> wire Subaru temp sender until the Vanagon dash temp gauge is right in
> the middle (over the LED).
>
> That's how I calibrate the dash gauge with a Subaru engine.
>
> Note, the B10 scan tool is for 90-94 engines.  I don't think it works
> on newer engines.
>
>
>
>>
>> As to David's issue, this is something that has long troubled me about
>> the method used by many Subaru engine conversions to adjust the Subaru
>> temp sender to the Vanagon dash gauge. Many do this with a resistor,
>> selecting a resistor value that when put in series with the Subaru
>> sender gives a temp gauge reading they are happy with on the Vanagon
>> gauge under normal driving. How this combination of parts could be
>> expected to give consistent readings at all engine temperatures is
>> beyond me but I have not verified that it doesn't.
>>.........
>> Mark
>
>