How do you wire aftermarket gauge lights to your factory dimmer switch?
#1
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Car: 1984 Pontiac Firebird S/E
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How do you wire aftermarket gauge lights to your factory dimmer switch?
Hey everyone. I just installed some aftermarket gauges (oil PSI, temp,voltage, tach, ect) in my 84 Firebird and I was wondering how you install the lights for them to the factory dimmer. I was trying to make it easier then hunting around for two hours with a multi-meter killing my battery. Is there a wire that you plum the positive side of the lights to? Or something else? Thank you!
#2
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Re: How do you wire aftermarket gauge lights to your factory dimmer switch?
Hey everyone. I just installed some aftermarket gauges (oil PSI, temp,voltage, tach, ect) in my 84 Firebird and I was wondering how you install the lights for them to the factory dimmer. I was trying to make it easier then hunting around for two hours with a multi-meter killing my battery. Is there a wire that you plum the positive side of the lights to? Or something else? Thank you!
In the fuse block there's a terminal marked "inst lps" (or at least there is in mine). I purchased a Pico adaptor and plugged into that slot for my aftermarket gauges. In a pinch you can use a crimp on spade terminal to use as a plug in device. The lights in the new gauges come on with the lights in the dash. What I can't recall at the moment is whether it has the dimming function.
Last edited by skinny z; 08-28-2013 at 10:03 PM.
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Car: 1984 Pontiac Firebird S/E
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Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: How do you wire aftermarket gauge lights to your factory dimmer switch?
Thanks a lot man! Can I just run a wire from that into the positive side of my gauge lights and then chassis ground them?
#4
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Re: How do you wire aftermarket gauge lights to your factory dimmer switch?
Absolutely. You can piggy back the power from terminal to terminal and do the same with the ground. Bring the ground to the nearest piece of steel that makes up the dash support (or wherever you have the gauges mounted).
A little tip I've learned is that if you're using a crimp on male disconnect terminal (the kind that fits over the spade terminal on the gauge), go up a gauge size on the crimp on connector and insert two wires into it. Makes for a very tidy job.
A little tip I've learned is that if you're using a crimp on male disconnect terminal (the kind that fits over the spade terminal on the gauge), go up a gauge size on the crimp on connector and insert two wires into it. Makes for a very tidy job.
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Car: 1984 Pontiac Firebird S/E
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Re: How do you wire aftermarket gauge lights to your factory dimmer switch?
Thanks a lot for the help, they're all working great! Even have the dimmer function
#6
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Re: How do you wire aftermarket gauge lights to your factory dimmer switch?
Every so often these forums offer up something useful.
Glad I could help.
Glad I could help.
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Re: How do you wire aftermarket gauge lights to your factory dimmer switch?
This is great, I just jumped on to see if I could find this out and the search engine worked perfectly! My Sunpro said hook to the dimmer switch which with my book looks to be the yellow wire coming from the fuse box and column. I spent the day making thinks fit the way I want to I will post some pictures to show the outcome once I am finished
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