I am having an issue with installing my Phantom 2 gauges in my 87z28. I cannot figure out why the gray wires that are suppose to be ground are hot when cycling the dimmer switch on the headlight switch. Once i cycle it over to the dome light it makes the gray wire a ground and my dash lights come on. Anybody have an idea were my ground has gone?

 

Which gray wires? On the auto meter side or dash harness? Gray is usually 12v for the lights.

 

When I wired my auto meter gauges, I used the gray as gauge light power and then grounded the light circuit to the body. When I used the ground in the wiring harness there were signs of a ground issue. When in doubt check your grounds. If necessary run dedicated grounds to the block.

 

I did the same thing.

 

Grey is gauge lights, not ground.

Sounds like your grey wires are doing exactly what they're supposed to do. Not sure how that's a problem?

Its wire is black. Should have an eyelet on the other end that goes to a screw screwed into sheet metal somewhere. Goes to one of the steering column brackets IIRC. As far as "where it has gone", I can't see; your monitor is at the wrong angle, such that other things are obscuring my view.

 

Yeah, the stock gauge lights are grounded on the dash metal. I used new grounds. I always add more grounds than necessary. Autometer is pretty quick to say the majority of issues w gauges are ground issues. The electric gauges mostly work on resistance. If the ground is poor the resistance is off. Same thing w EFI! My engine has ground straps all over.

 

I got it all figures out. The gray wire is the light power wire. The black is ground. What i found out is that i missed 2 grounds and I had power back feeding through the black wire. Once that was fixed everything started working. Just had to change a few wires around for my oil pressure and fuel gauge but its all working now.

 

Cool, so pics?

 

Now i need to find a nice steering wheel to make the Phantom gauges pop.

 

Here is with the lights on.

 

Those came out really good. Yeah, steering wheels are a tough decision.

 

Yes they are. I had a grant signature series that I was looking at and it been discontinued. Go figure