Autometer Gauge Install Help Needed.

[dec322]

I'm installing my gauges this weekend. I bought electric WT and OP to be installed int the pillar. I haven't done alot of wiring (except stereos) so I need a little guideance. I understand I can hook the grounds together and route one ground wire to a solid ground. Any place specific that is recommended?

About the senders. By reading the instructions I see that I will route a wire from each gauge to the appropriate sender. Is then a power wire from the sender to a continuous source (battery). Do the stock senders already have a wire going to a continuous source?

Power to the gauge: wire from gauge to a 12V source on the ignition switch. Is there a place on the fuse box I should plug into or can I hook both gauges together and run a wire into the 12V wire going to the radio? Is there an easier way?

Power to Lights: Where is the easiest place to hook this wire up in our cars? Fusebox? Where? How?

Ground to Lights: Can this ground be the same as the ground for the gauges? If so, Can I just hook all 4 grounds (2 lights 2 gauges) and run 1 wire to a solid grounding spot? Where?

Any other advice is welcome. I searched but couldn't find exactly what I wanted. I'll search later for the srothfuss gauge install.

Thanks for the advice....sorry its so long.

 

[HISSIN50]

Sounds good.

Ok, for a pillar set-up, I'd grab 12 volt key on power from a convenient location. I used the fusebox. Use the dead side of the fused circuit and add your own 2 amp fuse in your new key-on wiring.

You can use one Key-on power source for all electrical gauges (you daisy-chain the wiring as you do for your grounds). So one feed wire will power all the gauges.

For illumination, you can use fuse 13 or the headlight switch. Your call. Again, put a 1 or 2 amp fuse on your wiring.

Each sender only has one wire. It goes from the sender stud to the respective gauge. The senders acheive ground by being mounted to the motor. If you ever use a sender that's not mounted in metal, you need to meld a ground wire to the sender body. That wont apply to you from the sound of it.

For the gauge ground, you got it. Daisychain each gauge ground and each lighting ground. I use a really clean bolt into the interior. I ohm the ground location out first for gauges.

Good luck.

 

[dec322]

HISSIN, you are always the first guy to respond to my questions. Thanks man .

Explain key-on from the fusebox. I understand key-on as when the key is on and all the electrical stuff is on. But how do I add it to the fusebox? Do I just put it in one of the slots that have key-on accessories?? Stereo?

What does this mean: "I ohm the ground location out first for the gauges."

 

[HISSIN50]

You got it. You find a key-on power source (like the HVAC blower motor, the radio fuse that doesnt stay constant for memory, etc). You can add the wire to existing wires in the back of the fuse box (as they enter the fusebox - pain to do IMHO) or use a fuse tap. The parts stores sell those.

If you dont like either option, you can use a wire in the kick panel or under the ignition column (there are two large ignition wires under there). I have used fuse taps and it doesnt bother me personally.

To ohm a ground, you set your DMM to the resistance scale (the upsidedown U lookin symbol) and put one lead (doesnt matter which) on a really clean grounded spot (really shiny metal under the dash works) and the other lead on the bolt or location you want to ground your gauges. Look for less than 5 ohms of resistance. That whole part with resistance isnt a big deal - you can tell visually when you have a good location for a ground. Cars that spend time in the salt can be tougher to find a clean ground on.

I might add that I think it was Steve (Srothfuss) who did a nice gauge install article. He did a real nice job - you might want to check it out in case he points out simple ways to do things (it's been so long since I read his thread that I've forgotten most of it, other than that it was a good resource for folks).
Otherwise, I'm always happy to help in any way I can.
Good luck.

 

[dec322]

I remember the srothfuss install...I'll search for it today and see if there are some hints. Thanks for the help!!