I am currently in the process of wiring some autometer COOLANT TEMP, TRANS TEMP , and AIR/FUEL guages.

My only real question about the wiring is what can I cut into that will give me 12volt power only when the acc,or ignition mode is activated. However I will need this wire for a couple guages so I dont want to blow a fuse.

I am really new to electronics so if it is too complicated to wire the guages to a switched 12volt source, then can someone tell me how to make my own switched source....
I think it goes like this;
-run a wire(about 14 to 16 guage) from the positive terminal on the battery to a switch mounted somewhere in reach...then from the switch run the same guage wire far enough in an area where you can connect the 12volt wires from the guages to a power source(from switch)......
-then i guess when you flick the switch you have a 12volt power supply.....then find a good ground for the temp. guages...and connect the sender wire to the guage....
>I think this is basically the way you do it....ANYONE please correct me if im wrong because I dont want to start a fire.....


Well if it is correct lets move on......what I am really unsure of is how to connect the backlighting of my different guages to my dash dimmer switch.....???????????

Any help at all will be appreciated greatly..
thanks in advance :hail: :hail: :hail:

 

Matt, if you look on your fuse block you'll see a few small places where you can tap into for power. There are spots marked RADIO (for accessory power) and IGN (for ignition). RADIO has power available when the key is in the accessory and run positions (same as the radio); IGN has power when the key is in the run position.
You can use a male disconnect to attach a wire to one of them.
For ground, maybe you can find a bolt or nut on the metal around the steering column to attach the wire to.
For dash lighting you can tap into the position marked I LPS.
Here's a fuse block from 86 - yours should be similar...

 

oh..YOU SAVED MY LIFE..thanks sooo much
and by the way..hahaha. i dont have a radio so that will be perfect....:hail: thanks you..






wow :lala: :lala: :lala:

 

I started at 8:30 am and ended at 12:30 am but I finally completed the wiring for the guages and everything is taped nicely and tucked away. I even completed the guage backlighting and it works perfectly and is connected to the dimmer(dash lighting socket on fuse block).
I have a 10 amp radio fuse and a which I think is good for the 3 guages. Does the I LPS need a fuse?

Thanks for all the help

 

It already is fused - the one in the block covers it.