I really need some help (boost gauge install)

[AutoEuphoria]

I tried this once before and failed...ended up selling the gauge and getting a DashHawk. Well, now I got another gauge but am still stuck with the same problem. I have no clue how to wire this correctly into the MS3.

It's a ProSport gauge - just the regular mechanical boost gauge. I want it to light up white during the day (with the headlights off) and switch to red when the lights are turned on.

The instructions for this setup are as follows:

Red Wire: ACC 12+
Black Wire: Ground -
White Wire: ACC
Amber Wire: Parking Lamp

So the ground I get (alright)

The other three I'm confused about. Do the red wire and white wire both go to the same source (like the battery for constant 12V+)? Where would I wire the Amber wire to (or which fuse could I tap into)? I've searched the How-To's and found a lot of good information, but no real specific answers to these questions.

So, if anyone can help out I would greatly appreciate it!

 

[AutoEuphoria]

OK, so after doing a bit of research, would this work?

Red Wire: F43 (cigar lighter)
Black Wire: Ground
White Wire: F43 (cigar lighter)
Amber Wire: F60 (Headlight Low Right)

The gauge doesn't have a peak/hold or warning so a constant 12V source isn't necessary.

My problem is this: I don't know if that headlight fuse would work in place of the "parking lamp" in the instructions, and I don't know if this applies to me:

If you have a traditional gauge that needs switched and illum wired separately, you can use the F43 cigar lighter fuse (switched power) and the F82 dash illumination fuse separately

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Is the gauge cluster illuminated when the headlights are off? Meaning, can I use the cluster illumination fuse (F82) in place of the parking lights?

 

[leadf00t]

I am not going to be much help, but Rotus8 is very knowledgeable in the wiring of these cars. I would shoot him a pm, or maybe he'll reply to this post when he logs on.

 

[my3needsaname]

**** you.

Sad when the only reply I get is a spammer.

(laugh)(laugh)(laugh)(laugh)(laugh)(laugh)(laugh)(laugh)(laugh)(laugh)(laugh)(laugh)(laugh)(laugh)(laugh)(laugh) That was leaving me on the floor for about 10 minutes!!! (loser) (jk)

I don't know jack crap about installing gauges since I haven't done it before but maybe this'll bump it up so someone who knows will chime in.

 

[Rotus8]

Is the gauge cluster illuminated when the headlights are off? Meaning, can I use the cluster illumination fuse (F82) in place of the parking lights?

The right thing to use is the TNS signal. This drives the tail lights and marker lights when the headlights or parking lights are on. You can pick this up from fuse F46, F81, or F82 in the PJB fuse box under the glove box. They are all the same. It sounds like you are on the right track.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

OK, so one more time:

Red Wire: F43 (cigar lighter)
Black Wire: Ground
White Wire: F43 (cigar lighter)
Amber Wire: F82 (cluster illumination)

That should work?

 

[Rotus8]

Looks good to me, as long as it doesn't need to retain memory.

 

[coyfish]

I wired both of my power lines to the cigar lighter. The guage ony turns on when I turn the lights on which means you need to attatch the constant power to something else. A lot of people choose the ignition.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Just wanted people to know that the setup listed above worked great.

I spliced the white and the red wires together and then ran a line from that to the F43 fuse, using a fuse tap from Radio Shack and an insulated female connector to complete the connection

I ran the black wire to a ground on the left (driver's) side that is easily visible if you take off the plastic molding in that area.

I ran the orange wire to the F46 fuse using the same method as before.

Everything works great! The gauge lights up white right when the key is turned, and switches to red once the lights are turned on.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

Every one of these is readily available behind the radio. Radio harness schematics are easily found.

 

[leadf00t]

Glad to hear you got it working.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

Here are a couple of pics:

The gauge is white when the lights are switched off:

and it switches to red/orange when the lights are turned on (matches the rest of the dash/gauge lights fairly closely)

The wires are EASILY routed to the fuse box area by taping them to a hangar that has been straightened out and passing it behind the radio area. Easiest wiring job I have ever done...the fuse taps made it 100% easier. That was a great idea (found in the walkthrough in the how-to section)!

 

[my3needsaname]

Cool! (cool)