Hi, I just got a 90 RS rebuilt with 350 and no computer. The only working gauge is for RPMs. The previous owner had no problems using the RPM gauge as a speedometer. This is my first car and i'm wondering if there are any ways to get the speedo working.

Thanks!!

 

There's nothing between guages and the ECM - so it's not the lack of an ECM that's keeping the speedo (or other guages) from working. What tranny? Are the other senders plugged in? Speedo is electronic - there should be a plug running to the rear of the tranny, driver side where the speedo gear ousing is in the tailshaft.

There's also an oil pressure sending unit driver side above oil filter for the oil guage (3 wire). But - some folks hack into this to run the fuel pump, which is fine, but they often cut the one wire needed to run the guage (the smaller of the 3).

A water temp sender driver side head between #1 and #3 plugs (one wire).

Volts guage gets signal from alternator.

But none of it is due to there being no ECM. It's lack of someone not wiring up the senders properly or hacking wires under the dash.

 

Thanks! I had no idea they could work without the ECM. I's an automatic tranny, and unfortunately all of the wires have been gutted. A/c fan turns on, but the controls do not work. The only things working are the RPM gauge and the radio. Would wiring all of the gauges back up be worth the trouble? Or should i just drive around with a gas can in the trunk? (bad idea?)

 

Guess it depends on your love of the car, and whether you have the patience, knowledge, and know-how. And kinda what you paid for it I guess. I've owned 3 3rd gens, never paid more than $800 for one. That said, I've got over $15k in restoration of my 1992, and it was in good shape when I bought it.

The info on wiring is here. Every 3rd gen wire ever made has been touched by someone on these boards. Wiring diags here if that helps: http://www.austinthirdgen.org/index.php?pid=19

If you look deep enough in the car, you should find what's left over for wiring you need to splice into to rewire it, as most hackers just cut and leave the ends behind.

Good Luck!

 

I'm gonna need those wiring diags. I got this car for free, handed down from a relative that took really good care of the body. Runs perfectly fine, and that 350 sounds mean. Definitly worth re-wiring!



Thanks for the help!