converting to gas, and the lpg switch

[ruggj]

Just wondering, if anyone who has converted their VT or VX to gas, if it was possible to get it using the factory LPG button, instead of the aftermarket switch. like this .

the reason i ask is i have been thinking of converting to lpg but, at the same time i want to keep everything in the interior neat, i have a spare spot in the dash fascia for the button if i did put it in (has a fog light switch in it at the moment which isn't in use.)

Has anyone had any installer do this?

[Holdens Rule]

That LPG switch will only work with factory LPG. I have a little black push button switch that is about 5mm in size mounted in the dash next to the fog light switch. My dash has the LPG indicator in the fuel gauge area so the only thing you see is the switch and it doesn't stand out that much anyway.

[mwb235]

Just wondering, if anyone who has converted their VT or VX to gas, if it was possible to get it using the factory LPG button, instead of the aftermarket switch. like this .

the reason i ask is i have been thinking of converting to lpg but, at the same time i want to keep everything in the interior neat, i have a spare spot in the dash fascia for the button if i did put it in (has a fog light switch in it at the moment which isn't in use.)

Has anyone had any installer do this?

Whether or not you can use a factory VT/VX LPG switch in your Exec may depend on the brand of your LPG installation and/or how determined you and/or your LPG installer are.

I suggest you try the other "vertical" factory LPG switch which came out on Exec's and Berlinas with factory-installed LPG. Sorry but i don't have a pic of one of these. It is "vertical" not "horizontal" like the one you've shown in your pic. It goes to the left of the t-bar (where the traction control switch goes on Acclaim and Calais models - see my 3rd pic and pardon the filthy interior!) so with your exec all you would need to do is fit an Acclaim t-bar cover that has this second switch "hole" in it.

The "horizontal" LPG switch is still available from Holden and is part number 92141580. I bought one from Bathurst Holden on 19-05-09 and it cost $21.11 plus GST retail - don't pay more on eBay it's a bloody rip-off. I don't have part number/price details on the "vertical" LPG switch, but surely it's still available and would be a similar price to the horizontal one.

Another possibility - you could use a piano black dash fascia/surround from a V2 Monaro series 1 CV8 Manual, which has an additional hole to the left of the fog light switch for the "horizontal" traction control switch, as it couldn't be mounted to the left of the t-bar like it is on the CV8 auto models. I considered buying a set of these Monaro bits myself - when i checked with Bathurst Holden 3 months ago, the top piece cost about $150 and the lower piece about $100 (i didn't get a price on the Monaro trac ctrl switch and bezel which would be extra).

With the "horizontal" switch in your pic - the problem you will have is when fitted in the usual place (i.e. under the trip computer switches) it slopes towards the driver. If you fit it where the fog light goes, it will "slope away" from the driver which will look silly. Unless of course this doesn't bother you as not everyone is fussy like i am.

I fitted a WH dash fascia/surround to my VT and modded it so there was an additional "hole" next to the hazard light switch (see my 1st & 2nd pics). I then painted it gloss black to match the other bits. BUT doing this is difficult and very time consuming. I only did this as my car also has traction control (so i couldn't use the "vertical switch" like i suggested you do above).

Another minor thing to consider - the little clear circle on the surface/face of the horizontal switch (presumably Holden intended this for a light or LED of some sort) doesn't actually have a light/LED in it - it does absolutely nothing. The LPG letters on the switch do light up in green at night. The "vertical" switch doesn't have the little clear circle at all.

On mine i've modded my switch by drilling a 3mm hole where the little clear circle was, and fitting a green LED (it was very fiddly and time consuming work believe me!).

There is also an LPG indicator lamp on the dash above the petrol gauge. On the factory-fitted models this is activated by connecting/plugging in a wire to the vacant PIN 10 (i.e. rectangular-shaped plug on the back of the dash cluster) and activating the LPG lamp using Tech2. Some aftermarket LPG installs also connect up the LPG lamp, like i have done on my SpintGas setup. That way the LPG lamp on the dash comes on when running in gas, whereas the little LED in my modified switch does everything my SprintGas switch did, such as blink when on petrol start & running on LPG, solid when starting then running on gas, off when running on petrol. As the VT/VX factory LPG switch is a momentary switch it operates the same way/does the same things that my original SprintGas switch did. Exactly how your LPG switch works and what your LED's do will depend on the brand of your LPG installation. The Impco system i had on my VR for example used a fixed 2-position switch (i.e. permanently in the "on" or "off" position), not a momentary on/off switch like the SprintGas (and factory VT/VX) switches.

I know that's a lot of detail but i hope at least some of it helps.

[GIJoel]

The switch that came with my gas installation has 3 settings, gas/stall?/petrol, Is the factory switch just 2 settings, on/off?

The stall setting is used to prevent mixing when switching fuels I think.

I'm interested in putting the factory LPG switch in, purely for aesthetic reasons

[Palmz17]

I got my vx converted onto gas about 4 years ago with a factory kit. I'm not a fan of the crap looking after market switch and the stupid 4 light fuel gauge setup. The factory kits push button switch looks much better and goes green at night and the led light inside shines in the drivers direction. And u gain the LPG light in the fuel gauge. My car also got sent to Holden who then checked over the workmanship and put in a Holden factory gas plate under the hood. If u can still get a factory kit installed I'd recommend it

[GIJoel]

Are you saying Holden can modify my existing 3rd party installed impco duel fuel system, to somewhat factory standard?

[Galixia]

heres a pic of where mines is... its an after market one with a gas indicator to let me know howmuch i have left