Engine bay switch live feed?

pestt · 5 May 2019 at 11:10

Anyone done this before I get the multimeter out?
Any inspiring ideas on a suitable engine bay switch live feed? No fuse box nearby, canbus wiring.
Windscreen washer motor maybe?
Ta.

IAmATeaf · 5 May 2019 at 11:14

Might help if you mention the make, model, year etc.

-westy- · 5 May 2019 at 11:15

Also what it’s for..

pestt · 5 May 2019 at 11:17

2004 BMW 645.
Water temperature gauge.
I know I could probably tap into the fuses in the glove box but really want to run the feed through the firewall to keep it tidier.
Thanks.

chaparral · 5 May 2019 at 12:04

pestt said:
.
Windscreen washer motor maybe?
Ta.

Surely that would only be live when you press the button to operate the srceen washers..

pestt · 5 May 2019 at 12:37

chaparral said:
Surely that would only be live when you press the button to operate the srceen washers..

Yeah, was kinda hoping it would be negative that operates that and it may be switch live. Will have a check..

-westy- · 5 May 2019 at 17:46

Your BMW doesn’t have a temperature gauge? :confused:

pestt · 5 May 2019 at 19:57

-westy- said:
Your BMW doesn’t have a temperature gauge?

Nope. In their wisdom they equipped it with an oil temperature gauge in a bid to give it a 'racy' feel. :rolleyes:

Stupidly, it can actually read the temperature but you can only display that in the dash by going through a stupid amount of faff each time.

NoobCannon · 5 May 2019 at 20:05

Why do you even want to know the water temperature out of interest

pestt · 5 May 2019 at 20:33

NoobCannon said:
Why do you even want to know the water temperature out of interest

Got a long-ish trip coming up, the cars old and the cooling systems on dinosaur Beemers isn't the greatest. Just want a bit of pre warning if it decides to toast itself, maybe save a head gasket. Just peace of mind really.

NoobCannon · 5 May 2019 at 20:56

Does it have a obd2 port?

pestt · 6 May 2019 at 06:17

NoobCannon said:
Does it have a obd2 port?

Hmm, good thought.
It's in the cabin but tucked away near where I want the gauge so if I can find out which pin to use that would probably work.
Thanks!

rodenal · 6 May 2019 at 06:42

Or you could skip that faf and run a live "gauge" on your phone from the obd

pestt · 6 May 2019 at 07:22

rodenal said:
Or you could skip that faf and run a live "gauge" on your phone from the obd

Ok, that's actually something I will definitely look at. Didn't even think of that, great call.
Thanks guys, knew I could get some proper help in here.

NoobCannon · 6 May 2019 at 08:46

pestt said:
Ok, that's actually something I will definitely look at. Didn't even think of that, great call.
Thanks guys, knew I could get some proper help in here.

Autool X60 Car OBD Scanner Digital Meter Digital Turbo Boost Pressure Meter Overspeed Alarm Water Temperature Gauge Car Voltage Meter Time Display for 12V OBD Standard EU/US Vehicles https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BF568WW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_by-ZCbH70VVCR

Can get things like this if you have an obd port

pestt · 6 May 2019 at 09:15

NoobCannon said:
Autool X60 Car OBD Scanner Digital Meter Digital Turbo Boost Pressure Meter Overspeed Alarm Water Temperature Gauge Car Voltage Meter Time Display for 12V OBD Standard EU/US Vehicles https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BF568WW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_by-ZCbH70VVCR

Can get things like this if you have an obd port

Yeah, just been looking. Found this one too, yours looks a tad better quality though!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ACBungji-S...ocphy=1006803&hvtargid=pla-771978799607&psc=1

bainbridge · 6 May 2019 at 09:56

You could run the Torque app from Obd2 via Bluetooth, the Obd2 adapter is about £5 and the Torque app is about £4.

pestt · 6 May 2019 at 11:53

bainbridge said:
You could run the Torque app from Obd2 via Bluetooth, the Obd2 adapter is about £5 and the Torque app is about £4.

Wow, that's pretty comprehensive! I use the phone for sat nav and speed camera alerts though, will give that a good look though. Like the way the guy seems to know his stuff and is always developing the app. Cheers.

bainbridge · 6 May 2019 at 15:19

pestt said:
Wow, that's pretty comprehensive! I use the phone for sat nav and speed camera alerts though, will give that a good look though. Like the way the guy seems to know his stuff and is always developing the app. Cheers.

If your phone does multi screen you can split it 2 thirds nav and 1 third torque with 2 dials displaying.

Or just pair it with q tablet

pestt · 6 May 2019 at 16:21

bainbridge said:
If your phone does multi screen you can split it 2 thirds nav and 1 third torque with 2 dials displaying.

Or just pair it with q tablet

Yeah, it does split. Good idea, cheers.