Wiring Gauges

VeNuM · 09-21-2002, 08:17 PM

Finally got some real gauges. Autometer Sport Comp series 3911 5" Tach, mechanical oil pressure and water temp. I was wondering where the best place to wire them into power was. Is it possible to wire them into a fuse in the fuse box and have the back lighting come on when I turn on the parking lights/headlights. I know if that is possible, you have to wire the positive to the correct side of the fuse, not the "hot" side that is always on (correct this if I'm wrong, I'm not that great with electricity). Also, can I just wire my oil pres and water temp wires together and run those into the tach wires so I only have to run 2 wires into the power source instead of 6. Thanks in advance.

Stang Runner · 09-21-2002, 10:48 PM

I would just run a new wire from the iegnition to them with a in line fuse if I was you I even put a switch on my car and will run all the Power for all of mine. but you dont have to do it that way.

Mustang_289 · 09-22-2002, 02:22 PM

We got the same tach with an electric temp guage as stock one stinks. We wired the backlites to the instrument cluster lighting - to the dimmer switch. So when the lights are on - so are the backlights for autometer guages, when you dim instrument lights gauges dim as well.

We tied the power together so we didn't have to run multiple power lines - keeps it cleaner as well. You're correct with wiring to fuse panel; wire to the fuse side not the always on hot side. We picked a fuse that's only on when iginition is on.

If you have a volt meter it's easy which side to hook into. Put your - lead to a good ground; pull the fuse and test both sides. The side that's dead with iginition on with no fuse is the side you plug into.

09-21-2002, 08:17 PM	#1
VeNuM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Downers Grove, IL Posts: 464	Wiring Gauges Finally got some real gauges. Autometer Sport Comp series 3911 5" Tach, mechanical oil pressure and water temp. I was wondering where the best place to wire them into power was. Is it possible to wire them into a fuse in the fuse box and have the back lighting come on when I turn on the parking lights/headlights. I know if that is possible, you have to wire the positive to the correct side of the fuse, not the "hot" side that is always on (correct this if I'm wrong, I'm not that great with electricity). Also, can I just wire my oil pres and water temp wires together and run those into the tach wires so I only have to run 2 wires into the power source instead of 6. Thanks in advance. __________________ 1989 Black Mustang GT Hatchback, Underdrive Pulles, Electric Fan, Cold Air Intake, Headers, Offroad H-Pipe, Magnaflow catback, Steeda Tri-Ax, Fluidyne Aluminum Radiator, Timing at 14*, 3.73's Coming not so soon: 408w Ricer Hater's Club Member #59

09-21-2002, 10:48 PM	#2
Stang Runner Registered Member Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: Walker, MI, USA Posts: 1,202	I would just run a new wire from the iegnition to them with a in line fuse if I was you I even put a switch on my car and will run all the Power for all of mine. but you dont have to do it that way. __________________ Engine: steel mounts, Under drive pulleys, K&N, GT-40 Intake ported Lower, No power steering, No A/C, Mac cold intake, 65MM TB, 255 Fuel pump, 24's, AFR 165 58cc, Rocker Arms 1.7with the stock Cam, 1 5/8 short headers, offRoad X-pipe Drive Train: 3.55, T-5 with a Pro 5.0 shifter 12.656@107.71MPH See It at www.T-racing.com/mustang.htm

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09-22-2002, 02:22 PM	#3
Mustang_289 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 512	We got the same tach with an electric temp guage as stock one stinks. We wired the backlites to the instrument cluster lighting - to the dimmer switch. So when the lights are on - so are the backlights for autometer guages, when you dim instrument lights gauges dim as well. We tied the power together so we didn't have to run multiple power lines - keeps it cleaner as well. You're correct with wiring to fuse panel; wire to the fuse side not the always on hot side. We picked a fuse that's only on when iginition is on. If you have a volt meter it's easy which side to hook into. Put your - lead to a good ground; pull the fuse and test both sides. The side that's dead with iginition on with no fuse is the side you plug into.