Glow Gauge Install

[240SXer]

I just recieved my 91-94 glow gauges for my 91. I noticed that the 10mph location differs from the stock vs the aftermarket. The aftermarket has a full 10 little notches to represent 1mph till it gets to 10, the stock has only 5. Has anyone else noticed this? They're not installed yet so I don't even know if it's gonna be an issue. I can't really tell if there is any other problems with the speed locations.

Also, it's one of those glow gauge things with 2 settings. It came with no instrucations so does anyone know how they're supposed to be wired? Do I go to the stock dimmer switch?

Thanks

David.

[Dattebayo]

You know your prolly going to have to wire a seperate switch for that, i think it will draw too many amps for the stock power supply (unless it came with a transformer). Its not that hard though, just make sure you got the right size wire and put a fuse inline with the power wire. If you really feel that its too hard just have a shop put it in.

[240SXer]

I'm pretty good with wiring, that's not a problem, but would there be a way to keep it on the stock switch? I'd rather do that if possible. I have heard of issues with it being dim due to not enough voltage. I know other people have them install on S13s.. HOw did ya guys do it?

[Dattebayo]

Well you could replace the stock dimmer with a look-alike switch having two parallel circuits. I am an electrician, so im telling you that you do not want to use the same circuit as your original lighting or anything in the dash. If you plan on putting all kinds of fancy lights in your car, you should wire up another fuse box for all the gizmos. That will take all the load off those other circuits that were made to only handle what was put in as stock. Thats the RIGHT way to do it anyway.

[240SXer]

That's the only light thing i'm gonna have hooked up to it... Can you think of any way of doing it where I could (safely) use my stock switch? Is there a way to supply additonal power or anything like that?

[Dattebayo]

I would say yeah, you could trace and rewire the whole thing back to the fuse box or even the fusable links box with bigger wires and a bigger fuse, but then your doing the same thing as what i said before just with the stock equip. I dunno.

For the trouble its gonna cause you, put in new stuff so you can diagnose future problems with your electrical system, and if you want to add stuff in the future, you'll have plenty of space and and easy way to provide power, without risk of over-amping any stock stuff.

[240SXer]

I'm gonna try to run it on the stock one. but i'll add a fuse just incase. I'll hook it up directly to the battery first to see how bright it 'should be' to make sure there is no issue. Black240 did his like that with no issues.

[240SXer]

Unless you think that might cause big problems? I don't think it draws much more than the stock.

[clrkn]

Okay this is what I did, I had a transformer.

I opened the gauge cluster (was such a biatch). Disconnected the power supply to the gauge cluster. I then plugged the glow gauge wire into the disconnected supply and figured out the wires for the headlight. Then made a split, connected the glow gauge wires, tested it a couple of times.

Stuck the transformer behind where the normal gauge would go and out everything back. Its been working fine for nearly 6 months now.

[240SXer]

I just did it. BOY was it a ***** to get the bezel thingie out. The little latch to tilt the wheel is in the way. It was soo damn hard to get that thing off. I tapped into one of the wires that go into the cluster, it works fine. I've just gotta put it all back together now. I just got the cluster back in.

The previous owner put in a Momo steering wheel, and didnt bother hooking up the horn, cruise control, or anything. So i've gotta figure all that out. Do you know which wires do the horn and the cruse control stuff?

[clrkn]

I'm sorry I'm not really sure about that. Infact my cruise does not work, was hoping to get it fixed someday.... now that I know its freaking hard to get to the gauges, I"m goving up on that ;-)

Sorry

[240SXer]

I was just thinking about doing it while everything was already off

[Anand]

I hooked up the glow guages to the dimmer switch and everything is absolutely fine... I've had it in for over a year and no problems at all... no blown fuse no elec problems.. nothing...