Ordered the above and will probably install next week to monitor my coolant temps more accurately.

Its a bit late for this question, but is there an easy way to tell if my car already has this kit installed?
The car has had 2 owners before me and I don’t have much maintenance history on it, so in theory
it could have already been done.

Thanks

 

I the gauge sits at 185 F or so you probably don't have it. Engine temp is usually 195-205.

 

+1
Also upon reconnecting the battery, the guage goes through a startup sequence and sounds its audible overheat alarm if connected. (That sound has saved me more than once!)

 

Pull the panel below the main dash panel. 2 screws below the steering column. You should see a couple of wire taps on the left plug in wire cluster.
Read Steves write up on installation and you will see what I'm talking about.

 

My gauge has no numbers. It has H at the top and L at the bottom.

 

He means dead center scale. He is just used to having RealGauge

 

I've been looking at this for my car for future installation. I attach the installation guide available on line and it'll give you ideas what to look for.

 

Apologies, PDF not attaching. Link below to the jagwrangler website for the PDFs.

RealGauge Installation - TheJagWrangler

The obvious thing is that the dials should move during driving if the RealGauge is installed, rather than remaining stuck in the middle of the range.

 

I'm sure RealGauge adopters care enough about their Jaguars to also keep good maintenance records. Not much history suggests you're not going to find one already fitted.

If I'm wrong, you'll have no trouble finding a buyer with a post in MARKETPLACE. RealGauge has rightly proved to be a hugely popular upgrade.

Graham

 

I installed both the temp and oil pressure options for Real Gauge. The oil pressure will be very obvious if it's installed. It's easy to check if the temp is installed by disconnecting the battery and then watch the temp gauge when the battery is reconnected. If Real Gauge is installed the gauge will go through a diagnostic cycle.

 

As per the RealGauge instructions, enter Test Mode by turning ignition fully on, engine off, press & hold the trip cycle button (at the end of the left/right blinker stalk) for four seconds. This invokes test mode where the needle will swing to the top of the scale and the alarm will trigger briefly...….

 

Thanks. I don’t have it, which is kind of good because the kit arrived today.

 

Great!
It isn't too hard to install. The instructions are very thorough and easy to follow.
I think everyone who has this installed will agree it is absolutely worth the
money, time and effort.

 

Well it took me awhile to get around to it but finished the RealGuage install today.

What a great kit JagWrangler has put together. So many things you buy online, in fact nowadays I would say almost all,
have nonexistent or very poor instructions. This kit comes absolutely complete except for basic tools and has
probably the best set of instructions I have seen. They really took the time to get it right.

Now if they would just put together an add-on real oil pressure gauge for those of us who want to keep the factory
nav setup and woodwork. Personally I would like to see one in the trip odometer hole. Maybe I will
suggest that to them.

 

Funracer, one installation heads up. DONT put any of the screws or tiny parts on the top of the dashboard when installing this. All to easy for them to roll down into the defroster vents. INCREDIBLY HARD to get them out. (Guess how I know)

John

 

That sounds ugly. I used the footwell as my parts bin and did not lose anything for a change.

 

I have just ordered the temp real gauge from JagWrangler after reading all good comments about his upgrades..
Looking forward to having one of the best and probably the most important upgrade added to my XKR ..

 

Nothing really tricky about it. Follow the instructions closely including pictures to get wires routed properly.
I went slowly and it took about 4 hours. Tapping the wires takes the longest and this is where you need to be careful.

You will do the black (left side) connector first. No need to disassemble the connector (it is not required) just find the correct color wires and proceed.

The right side is a bit trickier. Instructions tell you to take apart the yellow (right side) connector. I thought why do I have to do this because I can separate the wires out just like on the other side. Then I noticed two red/white wires in the bundle. You want the one from pin position 3, so you must take the yellow connector apart to identify the proper red/white wire. If I had taken this short cut I would have surely tapped the wrong wire.

One other tiny tip. I did use the numbers provided. Unfortunately after I put it all back together I noticed the “F” fahrenheit
symbol I put under the temp needle partially covers the green “headlights on” lighted indicator on the instrument panel.
Point being careful you do not cover something you don’t want to. At some point I will probably pull the face off mine again to adjust the “F”.

Test drive yesterday. So cool having accurate temp info.

 

Funracer,

Who knows, you might just start liking that misplaced sticker. I hated the fact that the lights on indicator can't be dimmed, I always felt like it was yelling at me in low light scenarios. When that bulb burned out I was like - This is great! Never will replace that bulb...

I know what you mean about having the accurate temp. Though as I recall it took me a while to get used to seeing that needle so high on the temp display. For years that always and only meant I was about to have a real bad day - she was already overheating!

Looks like a couple of folks recently bought and or installed the RealGuage. File this one away: early on we all have gone through the scary/unsure feeling of looking at the guage on a really hot day in a traffic jam, casually doing the math in our head and your heart drops. You just realized: WAIT! OH NO! She is at 215 degrees heading for nearly 220! Then you start wondering - is it ok, am I in trouble??? It is ok and normal so don't get worried. This one comes up with lots of new installs, myself included.

John

 

Some good tips/comments for members on the RealGauge installation..
Dont know when i will be doing my installation, ( as it has to be shipped from the USA to the UK through customs)

I never drive my car without the obd11 blue tooth connected to my phone showing real time temp but the attraction to the RealGauge is the over heat alarm,
As you cant always be looking at the temp gauge......
(Especially when showing the BMW and other modern sport type cars how fast the old XKR really is)...