Autometer Boost Gauge INSTALL, Some Q's...

[Blinkstang]

Just purchased an Autometer Mechanical Boost/VAC Gauge and needed some help on the install. Won't be installing it for a few days (still need to order my pod), but thought I'd get some tips first. (It will be mounted on the steering wheel in the Autometer single gauge pod)...

For power, it did not come with any wires - only the posts to connect the wires to. What should I buy specifically to use? Yeah I am a Newb at this, just want to make sure I buy the right things!

And what should I connect the power wire to? I am guessing it should be connected to a wire that will light up the gauge when I turn my lights on, thus it should activate even with the keys off? Which wire should I be looking for and where? And for the ground, wheres a good spot?

I should be able to run the Boost/VAC tube with no problem, instructions give good details on this. But are the supplied connectors the correct size, or do I need to pick up some others? And which grommet would be good to use to run through the firewall, location?

Thanks for the info! I ran a search but couldn't find anything that specifically had any info on the power connections and such. I did find Ambo's thread when he had problems with his SOS pod, I bought the SAME boost gauge - so I hope he sees this.

Thanks guys!

 

[sgarlic]

Ok well you just use ring terminals on those posts. For ground, you can use any screw you find mounted through metal, or splice off another ground wire. I ran mine crap down to the fuse box so I used one of the mounting screws on the box itself for ground.

For power, I used the radio fuse with a fuse-tap thing from autozone, and for dimmer control I found the fuse labeled dimmer, and used a fuse tap on that thing too. It's pretty straight forward. Just make sure to crank those nuts on the posts nice and tight before you put the gauge in the pod or wherever it's going. The ground and power posts are close to each other.. if one comes off, it's going to spark.

 

[goshia]

I just ran my on thursday. I had the wires on the gauge. Did you buy yours used?

Anyway you should have 2 wire coming out of the gauge. 1) white, 2) black

The black wire is the ground wire....
The white wire is the 12V dash connection light. hook this wire to fuse #37 this location is on the headlight/dash dimmer circuit. Go to autozone and buy a in-line fuse adapter so that you don't have to cut any wires.

 

[BennyBlown2v]

+1 for the dimmer switch fuse. When you do the hole for the vac line, be sure to use a punch all the way through the firewall from the engine bay, next drill out the hole from the inside of the car. I placed my line RIGHT above the gas pedal junction in the firewall. This spot is perfect because its close to even with the motor, and a short distance to close vacuum lines (the red ones, EGR, fuel rail line, etc.)

 

[Blinkstang]

Thanks for all the replies guys!

Just so I am clear:

So for the power wires, I can use a fuse tap - is that the same as an add-a-circuit kit? So I would run the new circuit to location number 37 and then pop the old circuit in on top? What size fuse is needed for one gauge? And this would allow the gauge to activate with the use of my headlight knob?

And thanks for the vac line routing info Benny, I'll look for that spot when I route it - so that was a new hole you drilled, not an existing grommet, correct?

And now I know to pick up some ring terminals, thanks SGarlic.

Oh and Goshia I bought my gauge new off of eBay. Is your gauge electrical or mechanical?? I know i have seen pics of the electrical gauges and they have wires, but are the mechanical gauges suppose to come with them too??

 

[BennyBlown2v]

Oh and Goshia I bought my gauge new off of eBay. Is your gauge electrical or mechanical?? I know i have seen pics of the electrical gauges and they have wires, but are the mechanical gauges suppose to come with them too??

Mechanical gauge has vacuum line, electronic gauge on the other hand has a pressure sensor (sending unit) which you place in a bung on the IM, turbo/blower inlet, etc. Mechanical gauge will have wires, but just for lighting (white wire goes to #37 fuse, which is gauge pod lighting, other wire goes to a solid chassis ground).

Yes, I made a whole. Like I mentioned easiest way to do it cleanly is to punch a small hole in the firewall with a center punch, then drill the hole out to the correct size for the grommet from the INSIDE of the car (drilling through insulation, plastic, etc.). I personally would never use a factory grommet for gauge or any other wires, unless I was completely re-installing the grommet, not just cutting it/cramming new wires into it

 

[BaXTeR3221]

Just did this exact thing on thursday. I followed these directions and it work perfectly.

http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/gauge.html