Confirmation: Autometer 4327 replacement guage

[cyled]

First, this is for those of you who want to get an actual oil pressure reading. If you are happy with the stock setup, then move along, nothing to see here. :D

This is not a debate of what Mercury should of done, it is to help confirm what to do if you want to swtich out. Here is the orginal discussion
Orginal Discussion (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=539&perpage=15&highlight=autometer&pagenumber=1)


I decided to send Autometer an email to see if I get another response and just as O3 Merc found out the 4327 guage is a direct replacement from Autometer that actually gives you a true reading. Here is the email from Autometer.



My Questions;
> Two questions.
>
> 1) Is 4327 the same size as the stock guage?
>
> 2) Being that the wiring runs direct from the sender to the guage from the factory (this has been confirmed), I assume that I can use the same wire, correct?

Response;
The 4327 is the same size as the factory gauge. As long as the wire runs straight to the gauge & you use our sender the gauge should work properly.

Thanks again,
Marc Erickson


So as Merc 03 already knows and now is backed up by Autometer, you can decide what you want to do.

[Logan]

Just be aware that Mercury uses an OEM fascia on the gauges, the stock autometer gauges look great, but do not duplicate the same font and backlighting. Also the OEM gauges use a wiring harness plug, the autometer standard one doesn't, so just a little smidge of wiring needs to be done to wire the autometer gauge in.

For those thinking of this, if you want both gauges to look identical, buy a Autometer Volt gauge as well. Part number 4391

[cyled]

Good points Logan!

Ah the beauty of this forum....

This place rocks :rock:

[Murader03]

The information that transits this forum is austonishing. From badges to sub-woofers to tips, all you gotta do is ask. I can't remember any other board that I was a member of, so full of useful information. This board just blasts the others out of the air, so to speak.

Thanks Logan!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Logan]

Kaboom!!


:uzi: :banana2: :bandit: :burnout:

[Billatpro]

You mean to tell me the factory oil pressure gauge is just for show, what are the numbers for? does it just show that there is pressure or not? What the hell is this?

[Logan]

Yep. That's what the hell this is. It's hooked up to a on/off sender. It's been griped about a bunch on here... do a search on "gauge"

[Billatpro]

Well, that just plain P%$#$$%S me off. :bs:

[FordNut]

It's a legitimate gripe, but maybe if we look at the bright side...
1. it's not built into the instrument cluster and it's easily replaceable with a close match.
2. the wiring harness doesn't have to be butchered to get a functional unit in it's place.
3. a correction costs a little over 50 bucks.
It could have been worse.

[RF Overlord]

I have my "real" AutoMeter gauge and sender (purchased from Summit Racing for $53.95, thank you very much) on the shelf in my garage just waiting for the weather to cooperate to install it... :)

[FordNut]

Me too! After seeing Logan's post about the voltmeter not matching, I may look at getting one of those too. I'll have to hold the replacement oil pressure gauge up beside the factory ones to see how bad a mis-match it is. I just want to take the gauge pod apart once so if I need to replace both gauges I'll do them at the same time.

[RF Overlord]

With just a casual comparo, the real gauge looks close enough to me...I guess at night they look different, but I just want one that WORKS and doesn't look WAY different, like a SUN or VDO or something...

Hey, the difference can become a point of pride; so you can tell the real from the fake... :up:

[427435]

Does anyone know if Ford uses the same logic (or lack thereof) on the "gauges" in their other vehicles, like the Explorer and Crown Vic which have oil pressure gauges?

[03 Merc]

427435,

Yes they are all "fakes" :rolleyes: if you will....including the SVT product line... and have been for several years... At least some of the other vehicles have a "Check Guages" light to tell you a fake has tripped...

[Andrew10AE]

If someone does get this done, can you post where/how you installed the sender? I'm just not exactly sure what I'm looking for :)

[WolfeBros]

I have fooled with cars for 35 yrs and had no idea that the Marauder oil pressure gauge was basically an idiot light. This is directly from the 03 Marauder sales pamphlet: " Serious performance requires serious instrumentation, the race-inspired, satin finished Auto Comp Meter Pro-Comp oil pressure and voltmeter gauges are mounted into the Marauder center console to help keep you in tune with engine performance". What a bunch of BS........I will be replacing mine with a sender and Auto Comp gauges that work. Right after I write a very nasty letter. Thanks to this board for enlightening us on this and other issues. Logan this BBS rocks !! (hope to meet you tomorrow night at Eagle LM)

[LincMercLover]

Hints why they said "race INSPIRED." I know, it's still a crock of :bs:

[RF Overlord]

WolfeBros:

Go ahead and flame AutoMeter (and/or Ford)...it won't do any good. When I spoke to AutoMeter back in Oct., they said that Ford paid them to design a "gauge" to Ford's specs and make it "look" like a true AutoMeter gauge. I guess Ford has used these fake "idiot gauges" for quite a few years now, and doesn't care what we think...

BTW, it's set for 6 psi...try doing a few full-throttle power shifts at 6000 rpm with 6.1 psi of oil pressure and then post us with how much noise your motor makes when it lets go... :burnout:

[chapel1]

I'm embrassed!So much I don't tell anybody there not real!:po:
How much money could they have saved to have a redesign made special for the MM?:flamer:

[WolfeBros]

Flame would not be directed at Auto Meter. They did what their customer wanted.........hmmmmm FoMoCo should try that tactic sometime......:rolleyes:
Oh well live and learn.....an analog idiot light.....clever...... ;)

[chapel1]

But,I still LOVE this car and can't ever drive it enough to get tired:D

[RF Overlord]

Andrew10AE:

Go back to 11-06-02 and look for Flash's reply to the "Response from AutoMeter" post...he explains how he did his...used the factory wiring and all...maybe he has a pic of the O.P. sender, but it's attached right next to the oil filter...just replace it with the "real" one, do the same with the gauge (very minor wiring involved), and we should be good to go.

[WolfeBros]

I still love the car too and get out of it smiling everytime I drive it.
Just ordered the Auto Comp Oil pressure and matching voltmeter from Summit Racing. Definitely won't be bonestock much longer...:D

[Logan]

My SVT Focus has an actual working Oil Pressure and Oil Temp gauge... :)

[looking97233]

Hummm, would the gauge work by just replacing the sender with a real one?

Or could you replace the face of the new one with the MM one?

[tetsu]

So, has someone successfully changed the oil guage yet?

This is one mod that I will definitely do.

Oh yeah. I'd like to reiterate what earlier posts said about this issue being a great example of why this site and the community that resides on it are so friggin' great.

Johnny

[Billatpro]

OH Logan, you really knoew how to hurt a guy! your focus? has one.

[RF Overlord]

Johnny:

See my reply to Andrew10AE above...Flash has already done it...he told me it's still working fine...

[FordNut]

I just finished the gauge upgrade. Replaced both gauges and glad I did, not as much for the difference in lettering/font size as for the different backlighting. Used the 4327 oil pressure gauge and 4391 voltmeter. Procedure follows:
1. Replace oil pressure sending unit. Put a rag between the sending unit and the frame before you screw it out because there will be a little leakage. Use the reducer bushing that comes with the new gauge and sending unit because the threads are different on the two sending units. Use teflon tape on the threads.
2. Splice a connector to the sending unit wire. I found an old one in the garage that just slides onto the stud of the new sending unit and spliced it with one of the displacement-style splicers. I then taped up the splice and the old connector to keep it clean just in case I want to return to stock sometime. Do not plug it in to the sending unit yet.
3. Turn the key to the on position and put the shifter in 1st gear. Pull hard on the gauge housing holding both sides at the bottom. It has clips that hold it in place. Tug and twist it out to one side so you can get to the connectors.
4. Unplug the connectors on the oil pressure gauge, voltmeter, and cig. lighter. Now you can take it to a convenient workplace.
5. Remove the old gauges and connectors from the housing. Attach the lights and wiring to the new gauges. I tested all 3 color filters on the light bulbs and found that the green ones matched the rest of the instruments best. The original blue ones looked too white, the red ones didn't match at all.
6. Wiring connections were made by cutting the wires about 1" from the body of the original gauges and installing crimped on ring terminals on the harness. Colors: Red/Yel to Ign (both), Blk to Gnd (both), Wht/Red to Sending unit (oil only).
7. Reinstall the gauges, reinstall the assembly, connect the sending unit.

Question to be posted in another thread: Oil pressure seems high, runs about 80 psi at idle, rev to 2-3 grand and it goes over 100 psi.

[RCSignals]

while you had all that out did you notice a part number on the guage console?

[FordNut]

RC,
Yes, I posted it somewhere...3W3D-5404810-A.

[RCSignals]

Great. I'll add it to the part number list then

[Dave Compson]

Which part is this numbr for ?

"Yes, I posted it somewhere...3W3D-5404810-A."

Is this for the sender unit?

If not, what is the specific info for the oil pres. sending unit?

Dave

[WolfeBros]

The Autometer # 4327 Oil Pressure gauge comes with its own sending unit. Its all you need to make the conversion.
The 3W3D-5404810-A part number is for the Marauder gauge housing.

[Dave Compson]

Thanks alot, It will make it eaiser to do the switch.

Dave

[drgnrdr33]

Great. I'll add it to the part number list then
You keep a part # list for the MM? I've got all of them from the overhead console on a 2003 MM 300B if you want them.

[hitchhiker]

Yep. That's what the hell this is. It's hooked up to a on/off sender. It's been griped about a bunch on here... do a search on "gauge"


What would happen if just the sender were swapped out? Is the OEM gauge really a fake? Would it become accurate if hooked up to a analog sender unit?

Has this issue been pursued with FLM? The brochure sure implies that the gauges are 'real'.

Thanks,

David

[1 BAD 03 MM]

Replaced em both with the red backlighting. Looks sweet, compliments the red in the dash.

Red light special........ :pimp:

[MERCMAN]

got mine done yesterday, figured since I had to replace the head, it was a no-brainer!!

[RF Overlord]

David:

Replacing just the sender has been tried...it doesn't work...someone here did it about a year ago and got a bunch of strange readings.

AFA pursuing the issue with Ford, when we first found out about this deception, everyone got hot under the collar and some even wrote nasty-grams to Ford, complained to the dealers, etc...never went much beyond that, as fixing the issue is simple and relatively cheap...plus it allowed us to feel like martyrs ;) ...

Just give Summit or Jeg's a call, and spend an hour tinkering with your new hobby installing the real gauge...it's a good way to kill a rainy afternoon...here's the 10-step installation guide:

1. Secure an adequate quantity of beer.
2. Replace gauge
3. Beer break
4. Replace sender
5. Beer break
6. Start car and marvel at amount of oil on floor of garage...
7. Remove sender and put teflon tape on threads this time... :rolleyes:
8. Start car again and pat self on back for a job well done.
9. Finish remaining beer... (urp)
10. Bask in the admiration from your buddies for being so clever.
10a. Note: DO NOT operate vehicle until beer has worn off!

[martyo]

Nice post Bob!! I never thought I'd say this but since Todd the azz Kizzer isn't around, "You are the Man!!"

[bowers72]

I ordered the new gauges from Jegs. I went to install the sending unit and had a problem. The sending unit is too small and the adapter they sent is too big. Obviously they sent me the wrong adapter. Does anyone know what size adapter I am supposed to have so when I get ahold of them on Monday I know what to ask for?