ok, im finally getting around to putting in my new autometer C2 style gauges. now i know how to ground it but im not sure about the red and white wires. the red goes to a 12v ignition switch and the white goes to a 12v dash lighting. now my question is what is the color of the wires im looking for. i already have my instrument cluster out and unplugged, i just dont now which one of the 25 wires is the one i need.

 

just piggy back out of you fuse box for the dash lighting there should be a circuit there for it.

 

What I find relatively easy is splicing into the radio circuit behind the radio.You will find a 12V switched and an illumination circuit.The illumination circuit is typically light blue w/ a black tracer and the 12 V is yellow or red.


James

 

i never even thought about putting it in with the radio. but i really want them to turn on with the headlights.......i dont have an owners manual or anything for my car so im just kind in the dark about with fuse is which. i guess i will try and find the wire behind my cluster.

 

The radio harness carries an illumination circuit that has a variable voltage drop as does the cluster.When the lights come on the radio illumination changes for the light to dark transfermation.The dimmer switch controls both dash llumination and radio illumination.Hope that was helpful.

James

 

thanx james, i got a light tester thingy off my friend and found out which wire behind the dash work with the dimmer switch and wired to that and they work great. i just fust gotta drill a hole for my water Temp. sending unit.

just dont know where to put the sender

 

I usually Tee the gauge sender off of the ECT sender.Good year has all the applicable fittings.

 

i got that taken care of today but just a few minutes ago i went out and started my car, turned on the head lights and i heard the sound of a fuse pop and then my dash lights went out along with the gauges. i replaced a fuse under the dash but they still dont work. THIS SUX!

 

remove your headlight switch. find the center wire (brown i believe), run a relay off of it, using it for the illumination.

 

i just wired them in to the un used radio harness and now they work great, but my dash lights along with my a/c lights still aren't working. im guessing i fried a wire somewhere and just need a new strip of wire.