aftermarket gauge lights backwards from factory!!

[gsxr1k]

Can't believe that this question hasn't been asked yet ( at least I couldn't find it). I was installing a autometer boost gauge in my center vent console and tapped into the pwr and grnd wires to the rear wiper switch since its lights are controlled by the dimmer. The Aftermarket gauge of course lit up when I turned on the parking lights and turned the dimmer to increase the voltage. The factory interior lights dim when the voltage increases and brighten when the voltage increases. Using my multimeter shows that's how all the lights are dimming lights are. Anyone who has used the dimmer circut to pwr the aftermarket gauges must have ran into this problem!!!!!!!!

 

[Enigma_Man]

Use the other wire. There's another one in there that does what it's supposed to. It's because it's using a potentiometer to vary the power, and one side of the wires will do the opposite.

-Jesse

 

[gsxr1k]

Thanks for the response but what "other wire" are you refering to? I tested all the wires at the dimmer itself and all the wires going into the switch I spliced at. It looks like they all do the same thing. The other power wire in the connector has voltage but the dimmer doesn't have an effect on it other than about a .4 volt change or so.

-Chad-

 

[luv2rallye]

Sounds like you may be using a "control" wire instead of a true power and ground. A control wire is one that is between a switch (eg. dimmer) and it's load (eg. wiper) and should not be used. Try hooking it up to what you know are true power and ground as a test.

 

[gsxr1k]

Using a constant pwr wire works, as does splicing into the parking light circut. I guess what I want to know is, is it possible to use the factory dimmer with the aftermarket gauge lights to control there intensity so that it matches the stock instruments? If so, how?

 

[luv2rallye]

Oh ok - I didn't realize you WANTED it to dim (I thought you meant the dimmer was interfering with it's proper operation). Well I've got a 99 GST and service manual (yours I'm sure is hooked up the same) and it shows the dimmer is between the combination meter and ground (and +12V. goes to the other side of the combination meter).

So if you hook a true power +12V. to the positive side of your gauge and hook the negative side of your gauge into the control wire (one between the combination meter and dimmer), it should dim along with the rest.

 

[gsxr1k]

Thanks luv2rallye, using the variable (control) wire as the ground and the constant 12v source the the pwr side of the gauge light worked perfect. Now it all makes sense