This may be a stupid question but I don't know how to do it. I've searched and searched but couldn't find my answer.

I need to know how to wire something so that it comes on when the car does and goes off when the car does.

Thanks.

 

Well I'm not sure if this helps but depending on the application you can tap into the hot (red I believe) wire from lighter port in your car. Only problem with that is depending on how much it draws it could possibly blow the fuse. Another recommendation would be to tap into a hot wire from the fuse box such as ignition or even the ignition source (again the red wire) for the radio. Again the fuse issue comes into play so be sure your fuse is able to support the load.

 

Thanks, that does help. I am still open for other suggestions though. In the Haynes Manual it says for many items that it connects to a switch (ignition switch) so that when the car is on the item comes on.

Also, a second question. I have a carbureted car and I was going to just plug the wire into the back of the fuel pump slot on the fuse box until I realized that there wasn't one there. Is there any way to add a fuse clip into that slot and if there is will it come on with the car because it is where the fuel pump would have gone?

I hope that's clear enough.

 

Depending on the car that your are working on there is normally a spot on the fuse box labled IGN or ignition. Just use a spade terminal and connect right there.

 

thanks! that helps alot.

 

Make sure you put an in-line fuse on the wire coming off the fuse box. You don't want to set your car on fire with a dead short in that new circuit!
Good Luck,
Corky

 

Excellent point. I have had a little wiring experience so I knew to do that but thanks for the tip.

 

prev. owners did that with a hackjob manual fan switch...they had it tapped into the ignitionand stuff...one day the wires melted..including the one going to the switch in the dash... car died in the street. and i had to get the ignition and cooling circuits rewired.

dont live my horror story dude...just lettin u kno wat can happen if its not done right

 

doesn't that just mean that there was a fuse of too many amps that the wires couldn't handle the power?