Audi area: Audi A4 B5 Digital Boost Gauge Installation

While the digital boost gauge described in the webpage to follow was installed in an A4, it can be made to work with nearly any turbo engine. The circuit was originally developed as an example that was published by Motorola, the company that makes the pressure sensor used in this project. I came across the information by perusing the excellent website put together by fellow enthusiast, DonP.

Needless to say, I saw that he had discovered the application circular, and after reading his installation of it, I decided that it was exactly what I was looking for. The importance of keeping an eye on the status of the pressurized intake system is critical as you are relying on hoses, clamps and other plumbing to keep your driving a pleasurable experience. One small leak can go unnoticed, and a boost gauge can help tell you if something is amiss.

His installation was on a breadboard, and while I like to etch my own circuits, I had just completed a run of Nokia interface kits, and was in no mood to etch these more complicated PCB's. So, after some thought, I figured that other AudiWorld enthusiasts might be interested, and if I could scrounge up enough folks, we could get the boards professionally made with silkscreening to boot! WJM from Audiworld and I got together to put them together for everyone. I also thank James R for the tips and source I used to have them made. If your into having any boards made, I would recommend www.imagineering-pcb.com.

So what you see is the result of the trust alot of folks had in a person they never met, but were willing to give alot of money to, sight unseen. It makes me think there is hope for humanity.

The Design

The two circuit boards (the "brain" and the remote display board). The sensor has been already soldered in place.

The documents for the design started with the application circular from Motorola. The document outlines the ease of taking the output of the pressure sensor and outputting it to an LED display driver. The problem is that the MPX5100 that the circular uses, is only good for 15 psi. Most chipped turbos can surpass that by quite a bit. Turns out that the MPX 4250AP is rated for 36 psi, and made to monitor manifold pressures in turbos; it's an MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor. Keep in mind that this sensor differs from other types; it measures pressure against an near vacuum, so at sealevel, it's generating an output equivalent to 14.7 psi. There are others that are non absolute, but this sensor can potentially be made to read vacuum as well, or a psi less than normal atmosphere. That project is for a later date.

Taking this schematic outlined in the circular, I used a PCB-CAD design program called Eagle Editor to make files that I could output to a company that could fab the boards. The software is freeware if the files made are not used for profit, and there are size limitations. Needless to say it fit the bill. There are two files that get generated, a schematic design file, and a board layout file. These are then used to make output (plot) files that are used to actually make the boards. The board layout is actually two boards. To save costs, I made both onto one piece of fiberglass, and then cut it myself along the heavy horzontal line.

The design also offers the ability to change the visual display. There are two modes, selectable by a jumper. You can set it to either have a single moving dot, or a bar graph. When jumpered, it will show a bar graph. To minimize the number of wires needed to go to the display, I used a common anode approach to reduce the wires to 11 (one neg per LED, and one common source). The closest was a 14 pin ribbon cable.

The pressure sensor. Very small package.

The parts required for the project are mostly available, but the pressure sensor was a bit hard to source. I got them from www.newark.com. Here is the entire parts list, with where I got them from, the quantity, the parts numbers, and cost. It does not reflect the cost of the PCB boards (35.00 each), nor shipping and taxes.

Code

AP1

Item

MPX4250AP

0.1uf Capacitor

1uf Capacitor

1uf polarized Capacitor

Red LED's

Yellow LED's

Testpost- red

Testpost- blue

Testpost- green

Testpost- white

100 ohm resistor

1.2k ohm resistor

2.7k ohm resistor

215 ohm resistor

1k ohm trimpot - multiturn

100 ohm trimpot - multiturn

Connector - DIP14L

Connector - 2x7 PCB

LM3914N

MC78L05ACP

Cable 14 wire

Jumper Header 2 wire

Jumper Shunt 2 pin

Shielded 20ga wire Belden type 8762

6-32"x1/2" stainless steel machine bolt

6-32 hex nut - stainless steel

4x2x1 Project box

4mm Vac hose - silicone

Crimp Clamps

Zip ties

Quantity

4 ft

10 ft

1 bag

Supplier

www.newark.com

www.mouser.com

local

Home Depot

Radio Shack

Local - NOPI

Local - Grainger

Local

Part No.

07F9899

80-T350A104K050

80-T350B105K050

140-XRL50V1.0

351-3232

351-3252

151-207

151-205

151-208

151-201

271-100

271-1.2k

271-2.7k

271-215

72-T63YB-1K

72-T63YB-100

151-2P14

517-3914T

526-NTE1508

513-NJM78L05A

517-3365/14FT

538-22-03-2021

571-3828115

local

30699-9648

30699-1991

270-1802

Local

Cost/unit

$ 25.00

$ 0.30

$ 0.32

$ 0.05

$ 0.30

$ 0.28

$ 0.09

$ 2.82

$ 0.77

$ 2.00

$ 8.18

$ 0.22

$ 0.28

$ 0.30

$ 0.09

$ 0.39

Same

$ 2.96

$ 1.00

$ 0.39

$ 3.99

The pressure sensor with the leads bent. Notice the flat top is "up". The pins have been prepped for insertion onto the PC board.

I started by preparing the sensor. The leads must be bent down so that they fit into the holes on the board.

The board partially populated. The ribbon cable connector is on the extreme right edge.

Locate the sensor on the board.

Place and solder the other components one by one, double checking that they are going in the right place. The board layout file can be used to locate the position of each component, and it's value are easily determined by clicking on it.

I also then locate the ribbon cable connector. Be careful, as it is easy to snap shut. IF this happens, it's tough to unlatch it. You will need pliers to clamp it onto the ribbon cable.

The ribbon cable is attached. Note the pin one indicator on the ribbon cable. This will orient towards D! (first led) on the remote display board.

Next slide the ribbon cable into the connector. Make sure it seats properly, so that when you squeeze the connector closed with the pliers, it will clamp onto the correct wire. It's easy, just take your time. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as you are clamping onto the pins on the solder side, and you don't want to create a short or damage the tracings.

The ribbon connector on the remote display board.

Next solder on the connector onto the display board. DO NOT attach the ribbon cable yet! you need to prep the project box and slide the cable thru the cable slot you will cut into it BEFORE you attach the display board. Make the mistake, and you'll ruin the connector, and possible the display board. The connector is one use only, and I have never successfully reused one. Set it aside for now. Don't solder the LED's yet.

The "brain" with the vac hose and display board.

An almost completed gauge. The project box needs to be prepped to recieve the board. You will need to cut a slice in the bottom edge to have the ribbon cable slide thru, a hole above it for the power cable, preferably with a strain relief conector, and a hole for the vac hose to go into the box. A side note. The nuts on the bottom of the board that holds the sensor frimly to the board will conflict with two plastic standoffs. Simply cut these away.

Notice the blank boards in the background.

This is the main (only) tool I need. Note the cutting wheel. It's a cordless Dremel.

The Remote Display

The column cover housing before the display is inserted.

The display was made for the flexiblilty to locate it wherever you'd like, within reason. In general, this portion of the document illustrates how to place it into the plastic housing of column cover.

Align the template. Notice that the heavy lines align with the adjustment sticks.

Take the template and center the heavy lines with the adjustment stick coming out of the instrument cluster. Also align the back edge of the paper template with the back edge of the plastic cover. It is important that you not "eyeball it" after taking the cover off. The sticks are NOT centered on the palstic cover, so if you center the display holes with the cover, it won't look right.

Spray the back of the template with an adhesice, like Sprayment, or Photomount, found at any art supply store. You can also use rubber cement, but the idea is to provide complete adhesion of the template, because once you start drilling, the paper template will shift if not held down well around the holes.

Template removed for clarity.

Now remove the plastic cover. It simply pulls towards you with little force.

The cover simply pulls forward.

Then lift up.

The column with the cover removed.

Notice the opening and gap in the center where the ribbon cable will emerge.

The LED alignment as they will be located for the two display options.

This photo shows the placement of the LED display. This particular one is a variation that does NOT require drilling. It will simply stick up more, and sit closer to the instrument cluster lense.

Notice the LED leads. They have not been trimmed yet.

A closer shot. Notice the two rows of holes for drilling. The row closest to you should not be used, as there is not enough room to get the board in there, unless you cut a hidden flange. This version of the display will require some cutting of the flange to make room for the ribbon cable that will need to wrap under the board to get back to the column area.

Notice the bottom plastic flange. You'll need to notch it the width of the ribbon cable to give it room to pass. The leads on the LED's have not been trimmed yet.

This is how the non-drilling method is located. There is enough room between the clear plastic and the cover to do this. It will look up over the cover as shown in the previous photo.

Another shot showing the bottom flange.

Here it is again. Notice too, that the LED's mount on the top side of the boards, along with the connector. The ribbon cable would tightly wrap back around and exit under the board. That is where you'd notch the bottom flange.

You can see the holes clearly. Two LED's are located for reference.

Now, if you are doing it by drilling the platic cover, it can be a bit nerve wracking. TAKE YOUR TIME. This piece runs about $45.00 if you screw up. Using the template, FIRST USE AN EXACTO BLADE to indent the centers of the holes. This will help prevent the drill bit from drifting and scratching up the plastic. Use a dremel, and if you don't have one, get one. Start with some very small bits. You may need to look up the dremel tool accessories, but you NEED to start with very small holes to make it align cleanly. Go to progressively larger holes until the hole is the same size as the LED. A small bit bigger is okay, and as a matter of fact, mine is, so don't get too nervous.

Here are the LED's in the holes. The final height is a bit lower, as you'll see in the final photo. One IMPORTANT NOTE. The plastic has a curve, so don't cut the LED leads too close, or you won't be able to adjust the height! The LED's will then get progressively lower, and you won't see the middle range.

Here's a photo with some of the LED's lit. They are much brighter than the picture shows.

Here's the board in the cover, using the drilling method. Notice that the ribbon does NOT need to be folded back to come out in the same place if you had to do the non-drill option. Either way has the same amount of clearance with the instrument cluster, and the board itself protrudes the same amount as shown.

Now, the main difference between the two mounting approaches, other than the drilling, LED height, and forward loacation, is that the drilling method requires soldering the LED's to the bottom side of the board. This is easy, as the boards are two sided, and allow for soldering on either one. The IMPORTANT thing to watch for is the orientation of the positive lead of the LED. The LONGER lead is the ANODE, or positive connection, the shorter one is the CATHODE, or negative connection. The design utilizes a COMMON ANODE approach, so all of the long leads connect to one another. Each cathose runs directly to a pin. With the LED's on the bottom and the solkscreen image on the top, double check the orientation of the LED's so you're readng them from left to right, with the cover facing you properly.

Calibration

Calibrating the boost gauge is fairly easy. I have included the base values I used to calibrate them, and they have been consistent with every board I've built; however, if you prefer to do it your self, then here are the steps involved. You MAY want to do this if you live in a very high altitude area. For the most part I'd say you can go with the values I've measured and documented here. You also may want to recalibrate to cover a different scale range; if you have a low boost chip or a supercharger, then you may want the scale to read up to only 10 psi. The maximum of the sensor is 36 psi, but you need to subtract out the atmosphere pressure of 14.7 leaving a net top end of 21.3 psi. The sensor is an absolute device, meaning that at rest, the sensor is putting out a voltage relative to ATMOSPHERE, or 14.7 psi, give or take depending where you live.

Calibrating entails matching the voltages of the hi and low ends of the display chip to the output of the sensor at the levels that represent the psi at those levels. For zeso, you want to match "at rest" psi voltage levels, and at the top end of th scale, you want the voltage to match what the sensor generates at 20 psi.

So these are the steps involved:

1. Power up the "brain" with a 12v supply. You can use the car's battery, or another 12v source. A good one is a 12v battery from a garage door opener. Yes, they make 12v batteries the size of a AA battery.

2. Get a DMM (Digital MultiMeter), and place the negative probe on the GND test point. Place the positive probe on the SENSE test point. These are labeled on the board. Get the voltage. I used 1.758v for the boards I made.

3. Now place the positive probe on the 0-CALIBRATION test point. Adjust the ZERO CALIBRATION (100ohm) multiturn potentiometer until the voltage at this testpoint matches what the sensor read. The zero calibration is done.

4. Now apply a 20 psi load the sensor. Use a piece of hose and a handpumpe or other source. Use a GOOD, ACCURATE regulator and gauge to get the PSI to where you want the full scale to read (all the lights). Now place the positive probe on the SENSE testpoint again. Get the new reading. I used 4.45v for the boards I made (this reflected 20 psi).

5. Now place the positive probe on the FULL-CALIBRATION test point. Adjust the FULL CALIBRATION (1k ohm) multiturn potentiometer until the voltage at this testpoint matches what the sensor read. The full calibration is done, and you've completed the calibration procedure.

Putting it in the car

The following picture outlines the major hose and vac lines in the A4. The location for tapping in the boost gauge is the small length of hose (about 4-6 inches) that runs between the Fuel Pressure Regulator (8), and the intake manifold (24).

1-EVAP canister

2-From fuel tank

3-Evaporative Emission (EVAP) canister purge regulator valve -N80-

4-Check-valve for EVAP canister

5-Air cleaner

6-Turbocharger

Check boost pressure page 21-46

7-Combination valve for secondary air injection (AIR)

8-Fuel pressure regulator

9-To power brake booster

10-Check valve

11-Vacuum booster

12-To Leak Detection Pump (LDP)

13-Vacuum reservoir

14-Distributor piece

15-Check valve

16-Secondary Air Injection (AIR) solenoid valve -N112-

17-Crankcase vent

18-Check valve

19-To tank Leak Detection Pump (LDP) -V144-

20-Check valve

21-Charge air cooler

22-Throttle valve control module -J338-

23-Recirculating valve for turbocharger -N249-

Checking page 21-40

24-Intake manifold

25-Pressure unit for boost pressure regulation

26-Wastegate bypass regulator valve -N75-

27-Mechanical recirculation valve

28-Pressure control valve for crankcase ventilation

29-Secondary Air Injection (AIR) pump motor -V101-

Here is the kit, it includes:

1. Boost Brain with Power and Ribbon Cable

2. LED display board

3. A bunch of crimp clamps

4. A 5/32" T Connector

I recommend buying extra black 1/8" width zip ties

Step 1. Remove the Knee Bolster:

There are four 8mm bolts to be removed. You can only see bolt #1 without removing trim pieces. Remove the two trim pieces to expose bolts 2 and 3 with a flathead screwdriver. Remove the fusebox cover with a flathead screwdriver to access bolt #4.

Once the bolts have been removed pull the knee bolster straight toward the driver seat. There are two cables connect, one is for a light and the other is for the VAG interface. Once you pull the knee bolster off, it is easy to disconnect these cables.

Picture of the mid-engine firewall.

Step 2 Run Boost Line:

I apologize for the blurry pic. To run the boost line is pretty easy. I have a 99.5 A4 so my car has a mechanical accelerator.

1. Open hood and remove plastic cover above the battery and ECU.

2. Find the mid engine gasket shown in the picture to the left. It is located slightly off center. There is a nipple of rubber perfect for our boost line. Cut off the tip.

3. Run line from engine compartment to the battery compartment.

4a. In my 99.5 there are no additional gaskets in the firewall to get the boost line to the passenger compartment. In the 2000+ MYs there is a gasket free that you should be able to see and use.

4b. For pre-2000 MY cars, you need to drill a hole in the firewall or use the hood release cable gasket located next to the driverside fender. See to the left. You can cut a hole to run the line through.

5. Hint: To run the hose I stuck a nail in the tip of the hose to reinforce/stiffen it. I fed in about 1-2 feet of hose then guided it into the passenger area with a bent hanger.

6. Apply silicon caulk to any rubber gasket you cut.

Step 3 Where to mount the brain:

There are a few options here and again this is personal preference. I spent about 20 minutes trying different locations. In the end I affixed via Zip ties and Velcro, the brain to the steering support structure.

1. Attach boost hose to "the brain". If you want open the box and attach the boost line, then zip tie the connection and trim. I did not as the connection was tight enough. I tested the connection up to 30 psi without the hose coming loose.

Step 4 Run Power Line:

1. Run power cable through the hole already (see photo).

2. Attach ground wire to a grounding bolt. Aground bolt is any bolt that is connected to a metal bulkhead/chassis component. There is one at the bottom of the fuse box.

3. Attach the power line to a 15 amp circuit. I recommend a non-critical circuit such the cigarette lighter. See owners manual for the associated fuse.

Step 5 LED display:

There are many different possibilities for mounting, Will chose to put his on the dash by the A pillar. It worked nicely as a HUD gauge. It reflects off the windshield. I chose to drill into the plastic cover.

Step 6 T connector splice:

Here comes the scary part. The one where you cut a hose on your engine. I recommend using wire snips.

1. Finish running the boost hose, by zip tying the hose to neighboring hardware, hoses etc. Be sure not to kink, or make hard corners with the hose as this will restrict flow.

2. Pull the excess line through. Trim the hose making sure you leave yourself a few extra inches of hose.

3. Cut the Fuel regulator hose. Place a clamp along each hose segment. Insert T connector. Move clamps up. Using an vise, electric, or other wrench, crimp the connectors.

4. An alternate is to tie into the hose opposite from this one, closest to the other edge of the manifold. It runs to the BPV, and can help in detecting problems with the valve.

Step 7 You are DONE!!

1. Reassemble your car, aka the knee bolster and engine compartment.

2. Take your car for a drive and enjoy.

3. Don't keep flooring it to make all the pretty lights to come on. TRUST me my fuel economy dropped 4 mpg =)

Audi A4 B5 Digital Boost Gauge Installation

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