gauge wiring

[Mark Brokaw]

OK,heres the deal.I have 4 gauges(autometer) boost,knock,water temp,oil press.What is the easiest way of wiring these gauges and the gauge lights?I dont want to take each one to a different fuse.I am at a loss on this one.Electricity is not one of my best subjects.

 

[John Larkin]

Obviously you will have to run a wire to the sending units of those which have them. Outside of that, tie all the lights together (positive separate from negative). Then from that junction, go to the back of the headlight/interior dimmer switch. Probe the back of the dimmer part of the switch while still connected and find the wire that is hot yet varies your test light when the dimmer is moved up and down. Splice into this wire for your positive wires for the gauge lights and they will brighten and dim along with your dash. Your grounds can be tied to a large ring terminal and grounded on one of the steering column mounting bolts underneath the dash.

 

[stsplash]

mark
whats up steve here just take it to rob

 

[Mark Brokaw]

John,

Thanks,thats what I'll do with the gauge lights,what about the gauges themselves.they also have a power post.

 

[1QUICK85]

you can run the power wires from you gauges to one wire and then run that to the gauge fuse in the fuse box.....at least I did....i am not the electrical wiz either........Nick

 

[86underboost]

just so you know, there's a spot in the fuse box for the lights....can't remember what it says, but it's in the middle kinda...maybe illum or somthing like that. put it this way, there's a few "ign"'s in there and there's a few "bat"'s in there find the one that says something else. that port will be your hot for the lights....i'll turn on, off, and dim with the rest of the dash lights.

 

[Matt Weiser]

For lights, there should also be a connector in the pod beneath the stereo that you can attach your gauge lights to. It's meant for an ashtray bulb. This is what I hooked to. But then, mine is a T-type dash (no center console). GNs may be different but should have identical wiring in the dash. This may work better for you depending on where you mount gauges.

 

[MSDGN]

For the light on the guages just tap into the Instrument fuse...all you need is one of those fuse taps...check out the pic here:

http://www.auveco.com/proddetelect.htm

...the tap fits around the fuse and is held in place when you push the fuse in...tie all grounds together and ground anywhere under the dash...as for hot use the IGN sockets in the fuse panel...there are 2 of them...

 

[Mark Brokaw]

So, it is safe to splice all the light wires together and run into one fuse or the dimmer switch?Also, safe to run all the gauges to one wire and connect that to the fuse box,be it the ign slot or the batt slot?I want to be sure, i dont want this car going up in flames.

 

[MSDGN]

That's how I've had mine for years on both cars...on one car I have 4 guages with lights tied into one wire going to the Instrument fuse...don't need to tap into dimmer switch...if you tap into Instrument fuse as I said the lights in the guages will work just like the dash lights...light will come on when you turn the headlights/parking lights on...dimmer will affect all guages tied into that particular fuse...

 

[salvageV6]

Put a 3 or 5 ampere fuse in line with the whitegauge bulb leads.

Cheap insurance on the added wiring.

Gray wire under the radio or behind the radio area with an empty bulb socket will be a dash lamp wire you can use to power the lights as previously mentioned.

Follow the manufacturers suggested wiring for the oil press. and water temp. stuff and the Knock gauge.

Boost gauge usually is a hose mechanical type and the lamp.

 

[dwithers]

I found this to be the easiest.

Remove the four scews that hold in your radio. You don't have to remove any wires. On the top of the radio towards the left rear there will be some writing stamped in. Look for Lamps. You can butt splice your wires in to this wire. You guages will turn on with your headlights and will dim as well. Done deal in about 5 min. (considering you've already ran your wires)

 

[Mark Brokaw]

Butt splice??? hey buddy I must have gave the wrong impression!!!Didn't mean to lead you on.No joking,what the hell is a butt splice??

 

[Mark Brokaw]

Butt splice??? hey buddy I must have gave the wrong impression!!!Didn't mean to lead you on.No joking,what the hell is a butt splice??

 

[dwithers]

Butt Splices are:

http://www.action-electronics.com/terminal.htm

http://www.masterappliance.com/butt_splice.html

http://www.audiotronicsaccessories.com/butsplicnyl.html

http://www.goodmart.com/products/electrical_supplies_wire_termination_butt_splices.htm

etc.

 

[SuperSix]

What kind of scantool do you use?

 

[Mark Brokaw]

If your talking to me,I use direct scan.

 

[1QUICK85]

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