I've just come across a crash-damaged Vandenplas that is being broken for parts and have noticed that it is equipped with a trip computer. Mine (an '84 3500SE) isn't, and I was just wondering how much work is involved in removing the trip computer and fitting it into a car that didn't have one to begin with.

I assume I'd have to cobble together my own wiring loom for it, which I'm fine with doing. The main thing that I'd need to know is where all the gubbins for it are, and how much work is involved in removal and fitting. Anybody done this before?

Assuming both cars are EFi -Three pieces

Keyboard - remove from centre consol be careful the keys and switch spring dont become dislodged from facia.

Computer - remove from instrument panel.

Efi Fuel interface behind computer.

All wiring and connectors between keyboard and computer, earth connectors, etc

You existing main loom should be computer ready but if its not then there will be a bit of rewiring to do according to the cct diags in the workshop manual.

Neither of them are EFI, so I assume its all still the same, except I've got to hunt down a fuel flow sensor somewhere instead of the EFI interface unit. Any ideas on where the flow sensor lives - somewhere on the fuel line, I guess

between the carbs i think

good on ya Richard, that SD1 looked like it was in reasonable condition Not tempted by the 5 speed conversion as well are you

Yeah, its a shame to see one meet an end like that, but I guess it means more parts to keep others on the road. Its a shame the interior's a different colour to mine, otherwise I'd be getting a few bits from that as well. As far as the gearbox goes, I'd love it, but with a $1000 reserve, plus all the gruntwork in fitting it, I just don't have the time and money to spare right now

Hi,
does anyone know where the computer's fuel flow sensor is located on an EFI VDP engine?

Regards,
Paulcnb

85 VDP

On the EFI engines there is no flow sensor as such. There's a box of tricks behind the instrument panel that takes the signal from a fuel injector (number 8, I think) and converts that into a fuel flow signal for the trip computer. On the carburettor ones there's a flow meter in the fuel line by the fuel filter.

Thanks Halkyardo,
I will go have a look fuel flow electronic box as soon as I get my blower motor sorted. Its a bitch fumbling around under the dash - I'd much rather be doing a mechanical spanner job. It would also help if I was not such a klutz with electrical things!

Regards,

Hello Paul,

Efi Fuel Flow interface article (for a specific problem) here:

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And this is what you are looking for:

Well I've managed to get the trip computer installed and wired up, and the distance functions work all as they should. However, the fuel flow sensor is another story entirely. I've fabricated a bracket and pipework for it (the one I got was missing its mounting bracket), wired it up as per the Rover service manual's wiring diagrams, and absolute sod-all happens. This is what I have checked and confirmed so far:

- 12v is getting to the sensor
- Sensor is grounded correctly
- Trip computer is grounded correctly
- There is continuity from the trip computer to the signal line on the flow meter
- I have opened the bleed screw on the flow sensor and ensured there are no airlocks

However, no matter what I do, I only get 3v DC on the flow meter's signal line, whether the engine is stopped or screaming along at full throttle. There is a very small AC component to the signal as well (about 0.2v) but when I checked it with a frequency counter, it seemed to be more related to engine speed rather than fuel flow, so I'm assuming that it is just ignition noise. Another thing that I have noticed is that the voltage at the trip computer's flow sensor input is somewhere around 9v. This seems rather odd to me, and I'm not sure if its right, but I've got no way of telling.

Has anybody had any experience dealing with flow sensors and trip computers? Is there anything else I could check? If somebody could get a multimeter onto their own trip computer and take a look at the voltage (and if possible, frequency) on the fuel flow sensor line (Yellow with pink stripe) with and without the trip computer connected, that would be fantastic.

Thanks heaps

A Rover electrics book I've got suggests the fuel flow sensor gives 47300 pulses per gallon of petrol flow. Square wave between 'earth and the vehicle voltage'.