(Image/AutoMeter)

If you own a car or truck made after, say, the release of Pauly Shore’s seminal comedy Bio Dome, then your aftermarket gauge installation job may be a bit complex.

That’s because from 1996 on up, vehicles in the United States use an OBD-II standard, which means any aftermarket gauge will probably have to play nice with your ride’s ECU.

But that’s not necessarily bad news.

In fact, with AutoMeter’s handy CAN Bridge OBD-II module, interfacing with the ECU is virtually a plug and play affair. Better yet, since your vehicle’s ECU is constantly processing vital engine data (like engine RPM, water temp., oil pressure, etc.) anyway, the CAN Bridge can take that information and send it to an AutoMeter gauge or InVision Dash with no extra sensors or tedious wiring required.

The module plugs into your OBD port, then after a brief setup, it’ll be able to interpret those signals and send the data to your gauges or dash panel via the included wiring harness. (Image/AutoMeter)

Start by plugging the CAN Bridge into your vehicle’s OBD port. Then you connect your AutoMeter gauges to the module via the included wiring harnesses. After a brief setup using the built-in screen, the CAN Bridge will be ready to receive data from the vehicle’s ECU and pipe it up to your gauges.

AutoMeter says the CAN Bridge can handle up to six signals, to drive AutoMeter tachometer, speedometer, water temperature, oil pressure, fuel level*, and volt gauges. AutoMeter also explains the bridge will work with its traditional round AutoMeter short sweep electric gauges, tachometers, electronic speedometers, and InVision LCD dashes.

*The interface is compatible with zero to 90 ohm fuel gauges only.

Want to see AutoMeter’s CAN Bridge in action? Check out the video below and you’ll see exactly how it works—and how it can make your gauge installation a whole lot easier…Buuuuddy.

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Author: Paul Sakalas

Paul is the editor of OnAllCylinders. When he's not writing, you'll probably find him fixing oil leaks in a Jeep CJ-5 or roof leaks in an old Corvette ragtop. Thanks to a penchant for vintage Honda motorcycles, he spends the rest of his time fiddling with carburetors and cleaning chain lube off his left pant leg.