wiring boost gauge...need help

[bigbirdSCed]

this isnt really a boost related question but figured id post it here since most if not all are running gauges. how the hell do i get power to the damn light...lol. i wiered it to the light ring in the cigarette lighter and that didnt work. the light ring lights up but no power to the gauge. tried using another source for the ground(chassis) and nothing.

the gauge is brand new and the bulb is fine. checked my wiering and its ok too. i sware ive seen people wire at least one gauge to this location but for the life of me i cant figure out what im doin wrong. i even tried using the cigarette lighter wiering itself and still nothing.

whats more...my TRD gauge did the same thing...could never get it to light in that location. seems kinda stupid but any advice would be great.

[JamesT]

Try the clock.

Which wire (color) are you tapping?

[bigbirdSCed]

green im assuming is hot as the other is black. is it possible there just isnt enough power going through this particilar circuit to power the bulb?

[JamesT]

It's possible but unlikely.

Is there a blue wire with a red stripe going to the lighter? That is the wire you should tap.

[bigbirdSCed]

ill have to check it tomarow. byt using the lighter itself will cause the lights to be on whenever the key is in the ON position, right(never use the cig lighter)? i was using the ring sicne its activated when the parking lights are turned on.

but light all the time is better then none at all .

[JamesT]

Try tracing the Blue and red wire from the clock. It splits and powers both the clock and the cigarette lighter.

[Gibson99]

my gauges (greddy) all have their "brain" boxes on the center tunnel just aft of the shifter. there's a connector there for the automatic shifter which contains a hot wire for illumination, and so that's where my gauges get their ill. signal.

in my gen3, i used a test light to find the illum. wire for the factory cluster and just tapped into that. that way the factory dimmer knob also controlled my add-on gauges.

as you prolly already know, ground can be had anywhere.

btw - your ignition ring comes on with your parking lights? something's wrong there - it should only come on with the dome light, and then only when a door is open. that's why i'm suggesting shifter or gauge cluster illum. james is right tho - the cigarette lighter illum ring (or ash tray light) ought to work just as well.

hell, even the radio has an illum feed. if you have an aftermarket radio, i believe it's the orange lead.

[JamesT]

Man, I have to read closer - I thought you were looking for a power signal.

You could do what Gibson suggested (a good idea) or, the black wire coming out of the dimmer knob, the green (not green and white) for the glove box.

[Gibson99]

if it's a mechanical boost gauge then there is no power lead. and i think the trd one is mechanical. my greddys are all electrical and get their power from the lighter circuit, which as i said, has an illum signal conveniently close.

[JamesT]

if it's a mechanical boost gauge then there is no power lead. and i think the trd one is mechanical. my greddys are all electrical and get their power from the lighter circuit, which as i said, has an illum signal conveniently close.

Yeah, I just realized that...

I think the fiberglass resin fumes are getting to me.

[bigbirdSCed]

my gauges (greddy) all have their "brain" boxes on the center tunnel just aft of the shifter. there's a connector there for the automatic shifter which contains a hot wire for illumination, and so that's where my gauges get their ill. signal.

in my gen3, i used a test light to find the illum. wire for the factory cluster and just tapped into that. that way the factory dimmer knob also controlled my add-on gauges.

as you prolly already know, ground can be had anywhere.

btw - your ignition ring comes on with your parking lights? something's wrong there - it should only come on with the dome light, and then only when a door is open. that's why i'm suggesting shifter or gauge cluster illum. james is right tho - the cigarette lighter illum ring (or ash tray light) ought to work just as well.

hell, even the radio has an illum feed. if you have an aftermarket radio, i believe it's the orange lead.

lighter illumination ring is what ive used...not ignition illumination ring. and yes, both the TRD and my current one are mechanical, so lighting is all i need.

[Dawgz]

my gauges (greddy) all have their "brain" boxes on the center tunnel just aft of the shifter. there's a connector there for the automatic shifter which contains a hot wire for illumination, and so that's where my gauges get their ill. signal.

in my gen3, i used a test light to find the illum. wire for the factory cluster and just tapped into that. that way the factory dimmer knob also controlled my add-on gauges.

as you prolly already know, ground can be had anywhere.

btw - your ignition ring comes on with your parking lights? something's wrong there - it should only come on with the dome light, and then only when a door is open. that's why i'm suggesting shifter or gauge cluster illum. james is right tho - the cigarette lighter illum ring (or ash tray light) ought to work just as well.


hell, even the radio has an illum feed. if you have an aftermarket radio, i believe it's the orange lead.

lighter illumination ring is what ive used...not ignition illumination ring. and yes, both the TRD and my current one are mechanical, so lighting is all i need.

Both my gauges are tapped into the parking lights....

[bigbirdSCed]

i may just have to do that. tried an idea from adam and hooked a 9v to the gauge wiering and it works...dim but works.

thanks for the help guys, well see what i get to work.