TWD's

Got a little bored a while ago and made up a few of these. Finally got around to modifying my ECU tester for calibration and testing of the units.



These units have been manufactured based on the write up in the tech section from K-Zed. A few attempts have resulted in a more compact design, with the addition of screw terminals rather than wires for easier installation. Construction isn't overly difficult, with all components readily available from Jaycar.

For those who aren't familiar with their operation, they splice into the Coolant Temperature Sensor (CTS) input of the ECU. Essentially, offering an adjustable LED over-temp indication far sooner than the factory temperature gauge will move. Their purpose is pretty much for those who want to retain the OEM interior gauge layout, and would rather not rely on the factory POS gauge to know when their coolant temperatures are rising.

Units have been calibrated to switch at 95-degrees. Can be set to a different desired temperature should you wish either prior to sending, or once received. Adjustable trimpot on the unit allows for such.

LED's come with lil bezel for installation. Legs have been individually heat shrinked then a larger heat shrink over the pair. Strengthening the joint and preventing any rear glow from cluster lighting (should it be installed in dash cluster). An additional plug has been fitted to the LED wiring, with ample length to allow unplugging of wiring should the cluster be removed for any reason.

Come fitted to the smallest PVC enclosure available. Can be easily fitted to ECU area or behind cluster itself. Prefer the former, as it's easier to access in the future.



Offering these at $50 delivered

 

Cool cool. Wanted one of these for a while now and good timing as the zeds in disassemble stage. Will let the missus know and get back to you.

Good work!

 

Yep me too

 

They look good here!

 

fruckin oath they look good there.

i wasnt going to get one but i like that so much, i will.

 

1 for me please. pm payment details etc.

 

Or someone could buy my old Z with it already done - see ryzan's FS thread here.

Looks good on the other side of the temp icon too

 

I'll take one too. Please pm payment details.

 

These are a must.

It saved the engine on my Silver zed a week after I installed it. Turbo coolant hose sprung a leak.

 

Good to see TWD's back in production

NB: I went to PCB for the last 200+ units made... I think the T/A photo was the 2nd prototype... got the size down to same as yrs in the end and soldered wiring saves on installation stuff-ups.

 

yes 1 for me please, was going down to jaycar in the morning to buy all the bits but this seems a bit easier !

 

I would get one Mick but I already have one.

Even if you have a gauge, having a red LED near the speedo is very handy as you are always looking there, well some of us do.

 

To those interested, I will finish a very detailed writeup for installation of the TWD unit and post it tomorrow. From there, you can decide if you feel confident installing it and if you wish to continue with purchasing.

This unit does require identifying wires at the ECU and soldering to, and not particularly keen on anybody thinking "screw this, its too hard to install"

-Michael

 

1 for me as well please. Pm me payment details

 

Temperature Warning Device (TWD) Installation





This Procedure is assuming the installer has already removed their Instrument Cluster from their vehicle

1.Cluster Separation

With the Cluster removed, separate the black Gauge Face Surround and clear Perspex face from the white backing, containing all gauges.
a. If vehicle is Twin Turbo, remove 2 x phillips head screws from the printed circuit board on the rear of the cluster. These screws are for circuit path for lower cluster illumination. (see pic 1)

b. Gauge Face surround is fixed to the white housing by means of 6 retaining clips. To remove, start at the top of the cluster. Clips can be released by pressing them down and outwards. Finger pressure is all that is necessary. As each clip is release, the Surround will separate from the rear housing. Work around all 6 clips until the surround separates freely from the housing. Taking caution of the Odometer Trip Reset stalk, pull the surround in a straight direction.


2. LED Installation

Your TWD Indication LED comes with sufficient length of cabling to install the unit adjacent to the ECU, with a plug located approximately 200mm down from the LED.
a. Unplug the LED and Fly Lead.
b. Using 4.5mm Drill Bit, drill hole through OEM temperature gauge face plate. Using a finger below the face plate applying upwards support will prevent bending or ?creeping? of drill bit.

c. Unclip Bezel from LED, and fit to hole from top.

d. Using 7-8mm Drill bit, drill hole through white cluster base, adjacent to OEM Temperature Gauge.

e. Feed LED Fly Lead through hole and fit to Bezel from underneath. Heat Shrink protection of LED legs will permit bending/ setting of the fly lead section for ease of installation.

Cluster LED installation is now complete. Reassemble cluster in reverse of Procedure 1. Remembering to reinstall 2 x Phillips Head Screws (Twin Turbo Models)

3. LED Wiring Routing

Prior to re-installing cluster, LED wiring installation is recommended. Removal of Stereo Surround Panel is also recommended as both mid-point for cable routing, and for sourcing Ignition ACCESSORIES Supply (Required for Installation of TWD Unit). Ensure there is ample length, and plug, left at cluster end for connecting to LED Fly Lead and Cluster Fitting.

The remainder of the installation, regarding locating Accessories Supply, CTS ECU and Ground input is as per guide in the tech section from K-Zed
http://www.pexcom.com.au/z32cms/e107_images/TWD_install_procedure.pdf

 

I used a blob of blu tack behind the led to prevent any light from the cluster going where it shouldn't.
Also wear gloves or something so that you don't leave fingerprints on the gauge face. Don't try to clean it up with acetone (don't ask me how I know).

 

simple as for install then.

i still want one. please sell me one.

 

Congrats on the rebirth of the TWD, Michael .......

The cheapest and best insurance for any Zed ......

 

Tempted for this. Is it easy enough to locate the CTS wire near Ecu ?

 

The linked write-up from K-zed in the tech section shows the specific wiring for the CTS input and the Ground. An IGNITION ACCESSORIES supply is required as well, which is easily sourced from the car stereo circuit. (Good in a way that if you're assured to notice your stereo has stopped working well before your TWD has). If you're handy with a soldering iron, these are relatively easy to install.

Baz- yeah, made 1 of these for my car a while ago, and ended up making an extra 2 or 30 of them. Was not until discussions at the tech day that I decided to get motivated to modify an ECU tester I made for calibrating these units.

95-degrees seems to be a generally accepted warning temperature. Units can be easily adjusted at customers request prior to dispatch, and marked on the adjustable POT should further adjustment be trialled upon receiving.

They can be accurately calibrated once installed by combining an ECUtalk/consult with a 10K Potentiometer temporarily in place of the CTS.

Any queries or concerns, feel free to ask. Definitely not going to retire on the sales of these units. Hoping to give people who arent overly keen on aftermarket gauges or permanently connectly ecutalk the opportunity to have a more reliable over-temperature indication at a price that I consider more than reasonable considering the construction time and alcohol consumed in the process.

Cheers
Michael