Boost gauge doesnt work

[tomjan87]

Hey,
My boost gauge hasnt worked since i got it. It registers -10 vac, and goes just above 0 psi when at wot. I should be running 8-10 lbs usually. It is an Hks. also installed is an hks boost controller / fuel cut defender(not my install previous owner), intake 3 inch exhaust. 60-1 turbo hks ssbv, hard pipes for intercooler.
I need a boost gauge that works!.
I checked all the lines and replaced most of them for the heck of it. unhooked the guage from on the engine side and ran a tube around into the car through the window to the gauge tosee if it was pinched going throught the firewall, same thing, the gauge didnt change.
Is the gauge broke, or is it the turbo pressure sensor.
Thanks a lot
Joe

 

[Slow_Sc3]

there is a thing on the back try readdjusting it.

 

[tomjan87]

never knew you could do that, any special way to do this, or just play with it till it sitts right again.

 

[PRpimp3o3]

is it supposed to sit at 0 or be on vaccum?

 

[SySt]

Should be at zero with the car off. In other words, disconnect the hose from the guage and set it to zero.

 

[shaeff]

how about checking the pressure sensor before you go pulling the dash apart its on the driver's side fenderwell.

-shaeff

 

[tomjan87]

the boost gauge isnt in my dash, so its easy to get to, it sits on top the steering console thing. It is at zero with the car off. just when it starts, it registeres -10 lbs of vaccum, and never goes over 1-2 lbs positive. I thought about the pressure sensor, is there a way to check that, or just get a new one and see if it fixes the problem? Thanks
Joe

 

[shaeff]

the boost gauge isnt in my dash, so its easy to get to, it sits on top the steering console thing. It is at zero with the car off. just when it starts, it registeres -10 lbs of vaccum, and never goes over 1-2 lbs positive. I thought about the pressure sensor, is there a way to check that, or just get a new one and see if it fixes the problem? Thanks
Joe

eh, i assume you have an aftermarket gauge? if so, then the pressure sensor is obsolete, so that wouldnt be the problem. perhaps you pinched the line going to the gauge? or its just a defective gauge.

-shaeff

 

[tomjan87]

Not following, the pressure sensor is absolete? the tubes still run through it though. I dont think its a pinched tube, i ran a new one through the window to make sure it wasnt pinched. could it be pinched somewhere else? or is it more than likely the gauge? Ill be replacing all the hoses when i put my new turbo on, but I would just liek to know if i need a new gauge. thanks for all the help
Joe

 

[shaeff]

wait a minute...

if you have an aftermarket gauge, theres no reason to run it through the pressure sensor, you wont get as accurate of a reading. the pressure sensor is for stock gauge only. if you run a line off the back of the manifold (like me) as long as it's after the throttle body, you'll get way more of an accurate reading. try that before anything else. i dont even have a pressure sensor anymore, (well, never did because i was N/A, but there's no need for it w/ an aftermarket gauge)

-shaeff

 

[oldschool85]

you should be getting somewhere around -21 inches of vacuum instead of -10.

charlie

 

[supraman7mgte]

Yeah,the stock turbo pressure sensor is an e-bay item now. Just remove the whole mess,throw some silicone in the plug left behind,and run your tubing for the boost gauge from there,or like the previous post mentioned.The less you have piping off of there, the more accurate of a reading you will get.

 

[tomjan87]

ok, I am new to this boost gauge stuff. Ill have to run down the tubes and take out the pressure sensor. I think i remember where the tube runs to on the manifold, is it the one that already exsists, or is it another one? any pics would be very helpful.
thnaks
Joe

 

[tomjan87]

oh yah, what do you mean -21 inches. this is lbs i thought, and i thought it was -4 vaccum to +6-8 lbs boost? just wondering didnt understand
Joe

 

[oldschool85]

you should have at least -18 to -21 inhg of vacuum and when under boost it should read 6-8lbs of boost.

charlie