North American Turbocoupe Organization



Instrument Voltage Reg QUESTIONS
TCx2 Offline
Senior Member
#1
Greetings...
My buddy followed the procedure on the Nato web and made one of the new IVRs. However it doesn't seem to work correctly.
It puts out a constant 5 volts but the gauges all read too low.

Anyone else made one of these and have any idea why this would be so? He swapped a whole different gauge cluster in etc. He can tell they are reading low because he also has other gauges in his car.

The original IVR used "pulse" to get the average of 5 volts. The new one is a constant 5 volts. Would this be the cause?



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Kevin
TCx2
88 White TC, 5spd, Loaded
88 Black TC, 5spd, Base
87 LtBlue TC, 5spd,Loaded
Kevin
TCx2
67 Green Ford Fairlane 428CJ 5spd
89 Fiji Blue Chrysler Conquest
03 Mercury Marauder "Supercharged"
03 Ford Excursion(King of the SUVs)
04 Mustang Cobra - Screaming Yellow
10 Challenger R/T "Supercharged"
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B D Offline
Member
#2
TCx2
After I converted my IVR to solid state it also would read low. I still think this is better than the wildly swinging standard gauges. The real cure is to put in aftermarket mechanical gauges and don,t pay much attention to the stock gauges.
B D

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87 TC 5-Speed
88 Thunderbird Sport 5.0
91 Ranger
87 Turbocoupe 5-Speed, Remote mount K&N filter system,Steeda Shifter,New Heater Core,new clutch.
88 Turbocoupe "Mach 1 SE "
88 Thunderbird Sport 5.0 (Retired)
91 Ranger
NATO Member
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Noname
Unregistered
#3
Are you testing the IVR on the bench and getting 5 volts? If you are, check the feed wire in the connector on the back of the cluster. There is a resistor wire in the circut and it may be allowing only about 6 volts or so to go to the IVR, which will give you lower guage readings because the IVR isn't actually producing 5V with the lower input voltage. I have this same problem, I just haven't worked up the ambition to do anything about it.

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87 TC 5-speed Black, loaded. 17psi, G3 alternator, KB subs, Grant steering wheel, custom greasable swaybar bushings, K&N. Soon to have KB Trackit Axle brackets, Maximum Motorsports lower control arms, T-3, Saab intercooler, ranger roller cam Gen1 DSM BOV and rebuilt front suspension.

91 Mustang - Project Pegasus
A Pony with the heart of a 'Bird

[This message has been edited by James J (edited 06-19-2001).]
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JT Offline
Posting Freak
#4
Quote:Originally posted by B D:
The real cure is to put in aftermarket mechanical gauges and don,t pay much attention to the stock gauges.
B D


That's for sure. i got a set of aftermarket gauges in the 3 of my Fox T-Birds, 2 of them being TCs.

i kept the existing gauges and used "T" fittings to keep the stock gauges so it doesn't sit there looking dumb.

You'd be surprised how inaccurate those factory gauges are. Even the tach.

JT

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JT
[email protected]
www.geocities.com/turbocpe/
1987 T-Bird Turbo Coupe T-5
1994 T-Bird LX 4.6L
1988 T-Bird Turbo Coupe A4LD
1988 T-Bird 3.8L
1979 T-Bird Heritage 351M
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TCx2 Offline
Senior Member
#5
Thanks for the replies,

According to what the packaging on the resistor shows, it can handle up to 35V. Doesn't give any indication that 6v would effect the output.

The IVR was checked both in the car and on the bench. Input in the car was something near 8-9v, output was a constant 5v.
Can't measure what the stock one puts out as it pulses so rapidly.

When you say that your gauges all read low does that include the gas gauge?

Wonder why a constant 5v won't run the gauges accurately but the pulsing will?



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Kevin
TCx2
88 White TC, 5spd, Loaded
88 Black TC, 5spd, Base
87 LtBlue TC, 5spd,Loaded
Kevin
TCx2
67 Green Ford Fairlane 428CJ 5spd
89 Fiji Blue Chrysler Conquest
03 Mercury Marauder "Supercharged"
03 Ford Excursion(King of the SUVs)
04 Mustang Cobra - Screaming Yellow
10 Challenger R/T "Supercharged"
Reply

JT Offline
Posting Freak
#6
Quote:Originally posted by TCx2:
Thanks for the replies,

According to what the packaging on the resistor shows, it can handle up to 35V. Doesn't give any indication that 6v would effect the output.

The IVR was checked both in the car and on the bench. Input in the car was something near 8-9v, output was a constant 5v.
Can't measure what the stock one puts out as it pulses so rapidly.

When you say that your gauges all read low does that include the gas gauge?

Wonder why a constant 5v won't run the gauges accurately but the pulsing will?


i haven't done this mod cause i have a set of aftermarket gauges which are over and above the stock gauges.

But if it has to do with the IVR, the Fuel, Temp, and Oil go thru the IVR. So depending on the condition, all 3 can be effected with the IVR.

The AMP gauge is NOT a part of this.

JT


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JT
[email protected]
www.geocities.com/turbocpe/
1987 T-Bird Turbo Coupe T-5
1994 T-Bird LX 4.6L
1988 T-Bird Turbo Coupe A4LD
1988 T-Bird 3.8L
1979 T-Bird Heritage 351M
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Noname
Unregistered
#7
Actually my guages don't read a whole lot different than they did before I made my IVR. My oil pressure had always been a little on the low side after I changed the sender (aftermarket sender, big suprise), and my coolant needle hardley ever gets above the bottom normal line on the guage. Like BD said, if you want accuracy, you're going to have to go with aftermarket guages or just test with an a mechanical gugae to assure yourself that the guages are working properly. I already have aftermarket boost and A/F guages, I don't have room for anything else at the moment. so I'm stuck with my stock stuff

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87 TC 5-speed Black, loaded. 17psi, G3 alternator, KB subs, Grant steering wheel, custom greasable swaybar bushings, K&N. Soon to have KB Trackit Axle brackets, Maximum Motorsports lower control arms, T-3, Saab intercooler, ranger roller cam Gen1 DSM BOV and rebuilt front suspension.

91 Mustang - Project Pegasus
A Pony with the heart of a 'Bird
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JT Offline
Posting Freak
#8
Quote:Originally posted by James J:
I already have aftermarket boost and A/F guages, I don't have room for anything else at the moment. so I'm stuck with my stock stuff

Just an idea, but have you thought about mounting some in the compartment above the radio (if you don't have the factory equalizer)?

Or perhaps below the temperature control unit, in place of the "Systems Sentry"?

On my '88 TC A4LD, i removed the "Systems Sentry" and installed a set of aftermarket gauges in place there. i figured real oil pressure and engine temperature was more important rather than knowing if my door was ajar or if i had low washer fluid.

On my '87 TC 5 speed, i don't have the factory equalizer, so i installed set of aftermarket gauges there.

On my '88 V6, i installed them down below the temperature control unit. It had a cigarette lighter and ash tray in a draw like device that slid out.

i cut that face plate off the drawer and drilled 3 holes in the face plate for the gauges.

JT

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JT
[email protected] www.geocities.com/turbocpe/
1987 T-Bird Turbo Coupe T-5
1994 T-Bird LX 4.6L
1988 T-Bird Turbo Coupe A4LD
1988 T-Bird 3.8L
1979 T-Bird Heritage 351M

[This message has been edited by JT (edited 06-20-2001).]
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Noname
Unregistered
#9
I don't have the EQ anymore, so I could put the guages there if I really felt like it. I'd rather get my stock stuff working like it's supposed to though. *shrugs* That's just me, I'm a bit anal-retentive when it comes to having stuff work like it's supposed to.

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87 TC 5-speed Black, loaded. 17psi, G3 alternator, KB subs, Grant steering wheel, custom greasable swaybar bushings, K&N. Soon to have KB Trackit Axle brackets, Maximum Motorsports lower control arms, T-3, Saab intercooler, ranger roller cam Gen1 DSM BOV and rebuilt front suspension.

91 Mustang - Project Pegasus
A Pony with the heart of a 'Bird
Reply

TCx2 Offline
Senior Member
#10
I have the EQ in all 3 of mine. I don't want to change the interior around much at all. One 88TC I would like to show as an original and one 88TC I am going to repaint and play with a bit. If the 4cyl dies I intend to mount an 8cyl in it.

I'm like James described.. I like everything to work...



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Kevin
TCx2
88 White TC, 5spd, Loaded
88 Black TC, 5spd, Base
87 LtBlue TC, 5spd,Loaded
Kevin
TCx2
67 Green Ford Fairlane 428CJ 5spd
89 Fiji Blue Chrysler Conquest
03 Mercury Marauder "Supercharged"
03 Ford Excursion(King of the SUVs)
04 Mustang Cobra - Screaming Yellow
10 Challenger R/T "Supercharged"
Reply





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