Where is your "light" power source for gauges?

[Max Wedge]

Going to try to hook them up tonight. I know there is a tan wire behind light switch, but is there another place eaiser to get to that will give me dimming as well?



Main hot will be a spliced wire "jammed" into either the power seat fuse or the power window fuse I guess that beats the little scotch lock on a wire somewhere under the dash.



I know this has been beat to death, and I have searched all morning w/o success.



Thanks for your patience.

Max



PS--using triple A-piller with Trans Temp, Boost, EGT--in that order

 

[Dr.Kayak]

I got power for the gauge lights from the light for the ashtray. It is easy to get to by removing 3 screws holding in the ashtray mount. There is plenty of slack in the wire to make it easy to tap into. I can’t recall which color is hot. I think it is the orange/brown. I can check the shop manual if you need.



For keyed power I use a “add a circuit” (available at any parts store). It piggybacks onto a existing fuse slot. It provides a second fuse and a hot wire. Very clean setup. You can put it in the unused fuse slot 6 (I think). It is keyed.



I tried the Jammed method and the slot on these mini fuses are too small.

 

[roadranger]

Gauge Lites

I hooked my gauge lites up from the fusebox behind the panel on the outer end of the dashboard. (2001. 5) I used a small brass 'spade' adapter that taps off from underneath the mini flat fuse, found at Pep Boys. The fuse labeled 'illum' will dim the lites with the dash gauges. The fuse labeled 'ign'

turns on and off with the key. Make sure you tap off the protected side of the fuse.

 

[Archive]

The top of fuse #5 is what will dim the gauges with the switch, however, Evan Beck usually goes under the dash and solders onto one there. Don't recall the color, but if you search, you should be able to find it on several other threads. I have seen this go quickly, and not so quickly!

 

[Max Wedge]

None of the parts stores here--Advance & Auto Zone seem to have a clue as to these "Add a circiut" and little "spades" that tap into the fuses--I am assuming they must tap into the back side of the fuse box, 'cause I don't see how you get anything in the front side--STUPID MINI FUSES ANYHOW!!!



Max

 

[Dr.Kayak]

I found the "add a circuit" at 2 different parts stores here. Pep Boys and Auto Zone both have them. There are 2 sizes one for the min fuses and one for the standard size. I had tried for hours to jam a wire under a fuse but the mini fuses are just too small.

 

[ItsOnlyMoney]

Radio Shack

I found the mini fuse taps at Radio Shack

 

[Archive]

Max, a standard fuse tap plus a dremmel tool = mini fuse tap.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

www.griotsgarage.com has the mini fuse taps.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

On some '98. 5 trucks, it is easy to tap onto a wire under the dash. However, the easiest spot to do it is at the headlight switch. Just pop the black dash bezel off, and you'll see how the switch unscrews. Solder a wire onto the TAN wire coming out of the plug on the back of the headlight switch.



For 12V+ power, I always use the large blue wire under the dash, coming from the ingnition switch. Solder in a fuseholder, and use a low-amp fuse, like a 4A or something like that. The fuseholders are available at any NAPA or Radio Shack.



I try to stay away from the fuse taps because they tend to widen the contacts in the original fuse slot. Have had some interesting electrical troubleshooting projects, and the cause was a fuse tap.

 

[Sandmann]

I got my power from fuse 8 (key on power) and 5 (instrument lights). I used the mini blade taps from Radio Shack. I also put the ground wire in the fuse access area.



Ron