autometer gauge to dimmer switch install; still giving me problems

[2point3Tsi]

I've read eclipsed "how to on a 2g dimmer switch install" and still struggle. I have tried both ways with no luck.

Two autometer ultra lite 2 gauges with black/white/red wires.
white = 12v dash lighting
red = 12v
black = ground.

Eclipse's install says green/white stripe = power
black/yellow stripe = dash lighting

hooked up like this I have dash lights w/dim guages. Dim it and the new gauges get bright as the dash goes out. I flipped the wires and then they just stay on full brightness whenever the lights are on. Any ideas would be apprecciated

 

[turbosax2]

From the gauge this is how it should be:

White = dimmer wire
Red = ignition wire
Black = ground

Dimmer wire is black/yellow
Ignition wire is black/white
Ground wire is black

You can use the cigarette lighter wires for all three I believe. Use a multimeter to verify the wires before you tap into them.

http://vfaq.com/mods/wiring-gen2wir.html

 

[kmoore]

Switch to the cigarette lighter for your power. That is what I did and it works great. And yes you can still dim/brighten the gauges

 

[2point3Tsi]

just frusterating because all 4 gauges I have reach the dimmer switch perfectly and its already stripped. Not to mention I would have to add a section a wire but if i must...

Hasn't someone gotten it to work from the switch?

 

[turbosax2]

just frusterating because all 4 gauges I have reach the dimmer switch perfectly and its already stripped. Not to mention I would have to add a section a wire but if i must...

Hasn't someone gotten it to work from the switch?

Yes, you can use the wire from the switch. It's the same wire. Just hook it up like I listed above.

 

[crimsondragon]

Sorry to hijack your thread but I'm a little curious about this idea. I'm not too familiar with electrical wiring so don't judge/criticize me on this. Can't you just take the positive wires of all your gauges, solder/wire nut them to one other wire to connect to the lighter and vice versa for the ground? Or would that just cause an electrical load?

 

[turbosax2]

Sorry to hijack your thread but I'm a little curious about this idea. I'm not too familiar with electrical wiring so don't judge/criticize me on this. Can't you just take the positive wires of all your gauges, solder/wire nut them to one other wire to connect to the lighter and vice versa for the ground? Or would that just cause an electrical load?

Yes, it's perfectly fine to run all of the gauges off the same wire from the cars harness. The same goes for the ground but the ground wires can be connected to any ground point on the chassis, they don't have to be connected to a ground wire from the harness.

 

[2point3Tsi]

trying to use the dimmer switch remember? I'll only use the cigarette lighter if I can't figure it out, or I'll just wire it to be on bright

 

[turbosax2]

trying to use the dimmer switch remember? I'll only use the cigarette lighter if I can't figure it out, or I'll just wire it to be on bright

One of the wires that goes to the cigarette lighter is a dimmer wire. That's why I suggested using it.