How to Wire Aftermarket Gauge Lights

[1989MustangLX]

I've got the gauge pod installed in the car, and the gauges have their little sensors run through the firewall. Now they need an engine to measure. How can I hook them up so that the lighting dims with the stock gauges? My wiring diagrams didn't help me at all. Thanks.

 

[HardmanGT]

Connect it to the factory dimmer switch. I installed my buddy's Lunar series gauges that way. He can dim those in the gauge pod along with the rest of his factory illumination.

 

[HISSIN50]

The dead side of fuse 13 will work as a place to tap into (that is the dimmer fuse). Or grab a dimmed light (like the HVAC lighting, radio illumination, etc).

Good luck.

 

[1989MustangLX]

I don't suppose any of you would know which wire I should splice into off the dimmer switch?

 

[HISSIN50]

I never used the dimmer switch (the fuse is very close to the switch anyhow, so I used it instead). Sorry.

Good luck.

 

[1989MustangLX]

Using the fuse, would the lights be on all the time?

 

[HISSIN50]

Nope. The fuse is in series after the dimmer. If you put your test light on the fuse you will see what I mean. When you run the dimmer down, the test light dims too. Cool!

I tap in on the dead side of the fuse and then put the smallest fuse I can find (often a 1 or 3 amp fuse I have on hand) in series on the new wire going to the gauges. That way if yournew gauge lighting shorts for some reason, hopefully you will blow the in-series fuse and not fuse 13 (so you can still see the stock gauges while driving home). Cool?
Good luck.

 

[89MustangGX]

I also like using that fuse as well. I don't use extra fuses (just the way I prefer), but I do make sure I use the cold side of the fuse (as mentioned above) so that fuse works for the gauge lights as well.

 

[1989MustangLX]

Cool, I didnt know about that. Thanks for your help.

 

[TheUser]

i tapped into my A/C (HVAC) wiring...didn't pay attention to if it dimmed or not, but if Hissin says it does, I'm sure it does. I got a gauge cage, so the A/C was probably the closest to get to from there.

 

[1989MustangLX]

I hooked them up to the #13 fuse, and grounded them to the hood release assembly. Everything works, and they dim with the switch. Thanks for the help.

 

[HISSIN50]

Speaking collectively here, Glad to hear it.