Access for illumination wiring

[Ncostello]

Are there any known good locations to tap into for illumination of a gauge that will adjust up and down with the dash lights on a 2008 Ram 2500? I just helped my friend install a Firestone suspension air bag kit and the pressure gauge has a light...but he wants it to adjust with the dash lights. I'm unfamiliar with the wiring of a 3rd gen.

 

[Ozymandias]

I used the ashtray light.

 

[DNDracing]

Where are you mounting the gage?

I used a windshield mount and tapped into the wire that feeds the overhead display. Works fairly well, doesn't go quite as dim as the dash lights, but definitely tones them down a lot.

You can also tie directly into the dimmer switch. Geno's garage has a decent write up on accessing it. I did this with some gauges I used a column mount on before I moved them to the windshield and it worked.

http://www.genosgarage.com/installation_instructions/GGInstall-DG-GaugeInstallTips03-09.pdf

Picture of that hook up, make sure you get the right pin for your application.

Good luck.

 

[Prairie Dog]

That looks sharp!

 

[Ncostello]

Thanks for the good help! I drove an 06 Ram 1500 for work for 5 years (have a new 2013 F150 now...YUK!!!! Terrible transmission, awful fuel mileage, ergonomics are pathetic...but that's for another day) and I don't recall it having an ashtray light. My ashtray was in the flip down drink holders. Not sure if his has one. I'll ask him to look.

Otherwise I'll check the Geno's info.

 

[JBallou]

Try the wires coming out of the back of the headlight switch. Use a test light to find the one you need.

 

[jdross440]

Go to this website and you can download the factory service manual. It has all the wiring diagrams in it. http://www.carbonitecummins.com/articles.html
If I remember correctly, I used the OR/BR wire coming off pin 2 of the headlamp switch (panel lamp dimmer signal). You have to check with a meter to make sure you have the correct wire as there is also an OR/BR coming off pin 4.