Wiring in a gauge pod....
03-24-2003 | 07:42 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,700
Likes: 72
From: Charlotte, NC
Wiring in a gauge pod....
Ok, well I recieved the gauge pod from joel today (thanks that was quick btw), and I want to know how I can wire in the lights on the gauges so that they only come on when the headlights are on. Getting them into a constant power supply I can figure out, but I would prefer it to be more like the factory would have done....
TIA....
TIA....
03-24-2003 | 10:19 PM
#4
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 356
Likes: 0
From: Nashville/Orlando
Ian, I used the ignition turn on wire that goes to the radio(the one that turns on and off the radio with the key). I just spliced into it and ran the wire into the gauge pod. As for the ground I just drilled a hole right there at the pod and attached a ground wire with a screw.
03-24-2003 | 10:50 PM
#5
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte, NC
Ian - you'll probably want to do it this way.
Remove the connector from the back of the dimmer swith on the dash (I think you can access from beneath the dash - there is a clip on the top and bottom of the connector)
Use a test light to ascertain which socket has power when the parking lights are turned on. Tap into the other one for power for your gauges. You can use a vampire tap, or do the careful skinning of the wire with a blade and wrap/solder job. Cover with electrical tape, of course! There are typically TWO wires coming off of each socket in the connector. I used the larger one.
Run your ground to one of the two factory ground bolts for the instrument cluster (2 10mm bolts, facing upwards under the dash, IIRC).
This will give you a short run for power, will ground to an ideal factory location, and will dim your gauge cluster with the factory lighting.
Remove the connector from the back of the dimmer swith on the dash (I think you can access from beneath the dash - there is a clip on the top and bottom of the connector)
Use a test light to ascertain which socket has power when the parking lights are turned on. Tap into the other one for power for your gauges. You can use a vampire tap, or do the careful skinning of the wire with a blade and wrap/solder job. Cover with electrical tape, of course! There are typically TWO wires coming off of each socket in the connector. I used the larger one.
Run your ground to one of the two factory ground bolts for the instrument cluster (2 10mm bolts, facing upwards under the dash, IIRC).
This will give you a short run for power, will ground to an ideal factory location, and will dim your gauge cluster with the factory lighting.
03-24-2003 | 10:55 PM
#7
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton, FL
I also noticed a light that was interesting while replacing my dash this weekend...there is a light that lights up (supposedly, I can BARELY see mine at night) the defroster slider in the middle of the center vent...take out that bezel and tap that wire, and you should be good...since I can't really see that light anyway, I figured it'd be good. Since I already used my ashtray light, I'm sticking with it, but that seems like it's a shorter route, and more useless.
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03-24-2003 | 11:18 PM
#8
Race Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,848
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From: Katy, TX - Texas Greaseslingers West
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by keith:
<strong>Oh, look, I'm a Guru again...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Dang it! I'm trying too! But they'll probably change the category again once I get there!
<strong>Oh, look, I'm a Guru again...</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Dang it! I'm trying too! But they'll probably change the category again once I get there!
03-25-2003 | 10:15 AM
#9
Thread Starter
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,700
Likes: 72
From: Charlotte, NC
Ok, something occured to me, with the Air / Fuel gauge I can't wire that into the headlights, because isn't it going to need power all the time?
Or am I just off base there?
Or am I just off base there?
03-25-2003 | 10:24 AM
#10
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,862
Likes: 34
From: Indianapolis, IN
you are correct, a boost gauge only needs power from the headlights, but my oil temp gauge needs power all the time to function (Im sure the air/fuel is the same way) you have to run power leads to one gauge and lights to both.
03-25-2003 | 11:39 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge/New Orleans, LA
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by SamGrant951:
[QB]Heres mine on Saturday, fit wasnt great, still working on that...QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">What's wrong with the fit Sam? I am about to install my a-pillar. Anything I need to look out for.
[QB]Heres mine on Saturday, fit wasnt great, still working on that...QB]</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">What's wrong with the fit Sam? I am about to install my a-pillar. Anything I need to look out for.
03-26-2003 | 01:14 AM
#14
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,862
Likes: 34
From: Indianapolis, IN
I dont have the screws in yet, but Its going to take some muscle to reinstall the sunvisor -it just isnt the same as the old one it seems, who knows maybe I didnt play with it enough yet. Im ordering new visor pieces as mine were old and then going to give it another go...
(also- right now from looking through the windshield into the car I can see some wires and the apillar pod isnt snug against the pillar, Im sure this will resolve when the screws go in..time will tell. Good luck Ringo, tell us how it turns out..maybe you will notice something I didnt!
(also- right now from looking through the windshield into the car I can see some wires and the apillar pod isnt snug against the pillar, Im sure this will resolve when the screws go in..time will tell. Good luck Ringo, tell us how it turns out..maybe you will notice something I didnt!
03-26-2003 | 01:54 AM
#15
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,598
Likes: 1
From: San Juan, PR
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by ian:
<strong>Ok, something occured to me, with the Air / Fuel gauge I can't wire that into the headlights, because isn't it going to need power all the time?
Or am I just off base there?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">It should need power all the time unless it has one cable for lighting and another for the indicator.
<strong>Ok, something occured to me, with the Air / Fuel gauge I can't wire that into the headlights, because isn't it going to need power all the time?
Or am I just off base there?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">It should need power all the time unless it has one cable for lighting and another for the indicator.