[GAUGE INSTALLATION] Which wires? - Help Needed

**dc2vtir** · 12-04-2008 11:34 PM

hey guys

I have an 88 crx and I plan on installing my gauges myself and write up a little DIY but i need one final bit of help.

the electrical side of things

on the installation guide of the gauges it says i need the following wires to tap into for the gauges

- Connect to Groud of the vehicle (-) [i already know this is the black one]

- Connect to 12V power source (ACC) of vehicle (+)

- Connect to dash light or switchable 12v light same

So i need to know what colour wires they are so i can connect them to the gauges

ALSO would it be better to drain the oil COMPLETELY before removing the oil filter?

your help is greatly appreciated guys thanks

**Limo** · 13-04-2008 03:10 PM

i tapped my gauage wires off the dash lights, i cant remember which one, but if you pull your cluster cover off, you will see the several light sources/globes any of these should be fine. as for the ACC power i tapped my headunit power ACC wire. it will be the wire that ONLY has power while the lights are on.

use a multimeter reader to find out which wires to use. as colours mite vary between diff cars.

i drain my oil when the engine is stone cold (first thing in the morning) so it doesnt really matter if you drain your oil first or do your filter cos most of the oil is already in the sump.

**sid** · 15-04-2008 02:36 PM

Did you specifically want to run the wires in to the instrument cluster? or your not fussed?

Out of curiousity, what gauge is it?

**aaronng** · 15-04-2008 02:49 PM

Originally Posted by dc2vtir

- Connect to 12V power source (ACC) of vehicle (+)

- Connect to dash light or switchable 12v light same

So i need to know what colour wires they are so i can connect them to the gauges

Take one wire, connect it to the 12V line behind the cigarette lighter. Turn the key to ACC. Does the gauge light up? If it goes, then that is the 12V power source wire. If nothing happens to the gauge, then that is the wire that goes to the dash light.
Connect the 12V power source wire to the 12V wire behind your cigarette lighter. Connect the dash light wire to the 12V wire that goes into the little bulb that lights up the ring around the cigarette lighter. If you don't have a light in your cigarette lighter or ashtray, you can use the glove compartment light instead.

Originally Posted by dc2vtir

ALSO would it be better to drain the oil COMPLETELY before removing the oil filter?

your help is greatly appreciated guys thanks

You don't need to drain the oil out. When you take the filter off, the amount of oil that comes out is the same as when you drain the engine oil out beforehand. However, it is a good time to change your engine oil since your car is on jackstands anyway.

**JasonGilholme** · 15-04-2008 02:52 PM

go to supercheap/autobarn/whatever car parts store is near you and spend 30 bucks on a multimeter.

Put one end on the wire your test, and the other end on a descent ground. turn the ignition to acc. and if the multimeter reads 12v then thats your wire. same thing with any other situation (head lights etc)

**aaronng** · 15-04-2008 03:05 PM

^^ I thought he didn't know which of the 2 wires coming out of the gauge is for power and for dimming.

**JasonGilholme** · 15-04-2008 03:10 PM

I'm sure he knows which ones coming from the gauge. thats what instructions are for lol. And he says he has the instructions.

i think he's after which wires in the car.

**aaronng** · 15-04-2008 03:18 PM

Ahh, then that is even easier. LOL. Tap them from the cigarette lighter. Red/green is 12V, black is ground. DON'T TOUCH THE YELLOW WIRES!

**JasonGilholme** · 15-04-2008 03:39 PM

there should also be a light dimmer switch signal there. (thats where i got my del sol signal from)

and yes, yellow wires = srs don't they?? Stay away from them. Don't even probe them with the multimeter.

**aaronng** · 15-04-2008 03:49 PM

Yeah, I usually use either the cigarette lighter light ring, ashtray light or glovebox light to trigger the light dimmer. Saves a lot of trouble going for the wiring behind the instrument cluster.