Gauge wiring

[wittmeba]

For all those who have done their gauges...

Gauges seem to take 3 inputs.
* Their function (temp, pressure)
* The lights on signal for night driving
* Ignition turn-on signal (for those that need it)

Where do you get the different inputs? Functions are easy.
Where do you get the lights on signal?
Where do you get the ignition on signal?

I recall someone posting that a good place to get the hot lead for the lights is from the brake controller plug - the one that isnt used - am I right on this?

[Texascadillac42]

Yep, the brake controller plug is great place to get the illumination feed. Each gauge you buy will come with its appropriate sender, and must be mounted in the appropriate place. Tranny sender can be put in one of the pressure ports on the side of the tranny usually. The pyrometer will have to have a hole drilled in the exhaust manifold, and the pyro installed in this hole. I know Autometer gauges always come with everything you need, and their instructions are fairly good considering they cover only the basics. A search in the forums will reveal tons of information.

[wittmeba]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Reading the instructions here:
http://i.b5z.net/i/u/1632828/i/gauge_instructions.pdf

Pyro only takes the function and + - for the light.

Boost pressure takes function and 2+ 2- for 2 bulbs (they are actually already hooked together).

Tranny temp takes function and + - for the bulb and + - for the gauge.

Ill pull the illumination from the brake plug.

My question is where is a good place to pull the on/off for the tranny temp. Anyone use fuse-taps rather than tapping into wires?

[Texascadillac42]

Hmm, usually a pyro requires a positive and negative source for power as well. But I did not click on the PDF so Im not 100% familiar with what you are using. Since the gauge is electrical in nature it seems to me that it would need a 12V source. Anyway, a good place to tap in for hot 12V with the key on is in the bundle of wires under the dash. I believe this plug is for the upfitters to use when using an Idle Controller. If you poke around under the dash, you will find a few wires taped together with cut ends on them. Poke around with a test light until you find one that is on with the key on, and you will be all set.

[NYTPSD]

Mine is an 96... but I used a fuse tap on the radio circuit, it is live with the ignition key. For the lights i tapped into the harness for the clearance light on the roof, the harness runs behind the kick panel on the passenger side ( on the old trucks anyway ). BP.

[psd1997]

I suggest using a fuse tap on the fuse panel by your left knee inside the cab. As I recall you tap into the #10 fuse for the pyro and trans gauge B+ or switched 12 volts and #17 for the lights as that fuse is the gauge circuit and will allow you to control the brightness. You can double check my suggestion with a 12v test light or voltmeter. Ground all the negative leads from the gauges including the light grounds to the frame somewhere under the dash.Have fun!

[wittmeba]

Thanks to all for the tips.

Rlynn - thanks for the tip on pyro and trans gauge B+ or switched. That is the main one I was wondering about.

I really want to do a good clean job and still have concerns with where the wires will run with the A Pillar in place. Do you just push the wires down the side between the dash and door-hinge area? Looks kinda narrow but if thats what everyone does, Ill do it too.

[jprensink]

If you pop the A-piller off you can run the wires down into the dash from there. I used an A-piller mount and I got all the wires squezed between the old piller and the new one running down into the dash looks great.

[wittmeba]

Thanks. Are you saying you used the add-on A Pillar and the stock? That is what I have. I wont be removing the stock pillar...just adding the A pillar with the gauges. Will I need to do a little cutting? or just squeeze the wires/tubing down the side?