Wire identification for gauges

[376shovel]

Installing aftermarket gauges in the factory gauge pod. I wanted to know if anyone knew which wire' were what on the factory harness. I don't have a test light handy but I'm looking to see which wires are 12v constant, key on, switched for the lights, and the grounds. Thanks.

[376shovel]

For others, as far as I can tell, the wires for the oil pressure are:

Ground - black wire
12V ignition - red with yellow stripe
12V switched illumination - white wire
Sender signal. - white with red stripe

The 12v constant I will have to grab from the cigarette lighter

[376shovel]

Can anyone confirm whether or not I can use the cigarette lighter power to piggyback the gauges? Will this be too many amps on that circuit?

[Zack]

Spend the 4 dollars for a test light and have absolute certainty.

SHEESH

[fastblackmerc]

Can anyone confirm whether or not I can use the cigarette lighter power to piggyback the gauges? Will this be too many amps on that circuit?

As long as you don't exceed the amperage of the lighter circuit you'll be fine.

[ctrlraven]

You don't need a 12v constant source for the gauge, it already has one which is the 12v switched (red/yellow) wire is the only power it needs as it only will read when the engine is running which the ignition will be in the ON/RUN position. Install ring terminals and attach them to the gauge. Black wire to the middle top, Red/Yellow to the right (switched power) and White/Red on the left (signal from oil pressure sending unit).

Install of the oil sender and gauge
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/25/sort/2/cat/12/page/1

[376shovel]

Just to clarify, the gauges I have are from glowshift, and I called their tech line. They told me the constant wire is to hold the brightness memory when the car is turned off. Since I don't care about that, I hooked the constant and key on wires together and connected them to the 12v key on wire. Bingo. The gauges work perfectly.

I'm normally not this lazy to ask these sorts of questions, but with a broken arm, meds, no driving and cabin fever, I've been getting bored lately.



You don't need a 12v constant source for the gauge, it already has one which is the 12v switched (red/yellow) wire is the only power it needs as it only will read when the engine is running which the ignition will be in the ON/RUN position. Install ring terminals and attach them to the gauge. Black wire to the middle top, Red/Yellow to the right (switched power) and White/Red on the left (signal from oil pressure sending unit).

Install of the oil sender and gauge
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/reviews/showproduct.php/product/25/sort/2/cat/12/page/1

[376shovel]

Here's a picture of them if anyone was interested.