D2 Cat

I been looking for some answers so decided I better come to the experts. I've been a "peeping tom" for a while and desided it's time to knock on the door!

My gauge lights are wired directly down into the fuse box so the lights are on when ever the ignition is on. What would be a simple/easy way to wire them so the lights are only on when the dash lights are on? I was also thinking of installing a variable switch so I could adjust the brightness separately from the other dash lights. Any ideas? Thanks.

Gotlift01

There are a couple different options for the lighting...........you can either wire it into the cigerette lighter light so when the lights turn on they do as well, or you can find a fuse for illumination and do it that way!

When I get home tonight I'll look at mine and see what fuse # I used.

And for the dimmer switch, you could splice it in with your factory dimmer switch maybe?? I've never done it so I'm not 100% sure.


~Nick

getblown5.9

maybe not the best way, but went under the dash with a test light and tested wires til i found one that works with the headlight switch and the dimmer, the test light was easy because it would dim when you adjusted it...tapped my power for the lights out of that wire and havent had an issue yet

Mglass1045

I wired mine to come on with the headlights and the adjust with the dimmer. It works great. It matches the brightness of the dash. Really helpful real late at night. I just found which wire coming out of the switch I needed. If the dash bezel wouldn't crack in a different place each time I take it off I'd check for you. Actually I need to pull it back off, I left a couple screws out when I installed my XM. I'll try to get a wire color, or pin # for ya if no one beats me to it

Rauschbo

I wired mine direct to source, and put in a pot to control brightness independently from the dash lights; Recommend a 1k ohm pot, if you go this route....

Dr. Evil

Tap into the ashtray light as this works with the dash light dimmer....I believe its an orange wire.

D2 Cat

Thanks for all the help guys. I am making the changes today! Rauschbo where did you mount the pot? Do you adjust it very often? Do you keep your gauge lights dimmer then the inst. cluster lights?

Dr. Evil

You dont need a pot

D2 Cat

Mr. E, you're correct. I went to Radio Shack to get the pot, they didn't have one the recommended resistance so I'm going w/o one. If I don't like the intensity of the gauge lights I can always install the variable resistor. Thanks.

slim51015

Tap into fuse #5.

Tate

I tapped directly into the headlight switch. The dimmer sort of works, but the gauges are lit by LEDs, so they don't dim nearly as much as the rest of the truck.

Rauschbo

I chose to use one so I can dim / brighten the gauges independently of the dash lights - better control / matching that way, especially if the gauge brightness doesn't match the dash light brightness right out of the chute.

I picked up the pot at a local eleectrical supply house

I have one of the dash mounted "Rods Pod", and mounted it right into the pod.

1K - 2K should work fine, you probably want to be on the lower end of that (for 3 gauges wired in parallel to the pot).

D2 Cat

I was just going to report back. I've driven a couple of times at night and the lights/dimmer works fine with the inst. cluster and the pod gauges. I guess if I change my mind later and want seperate dimmers I will add the 1K pot.

It is nice to have the guage lights off during the daytime also. Mine were wired directly to a fuse and they were on when the ignition was on.

Thanks for all your help.
len

Dr. Evil

Told Ya



Uh, its Dr. if u dont mind......

displacedtexan

And the good Dr. is usually right.