Hey guys, I have a question about wiring additional things to the stock dimmer switch for the dash. My plan is to wire up 3 - 2 1/16" gauges, and use the power output from the dimmer switch to power the lights in them. I would be using 4 5mm led's in each gauge (wired in series), and wire each of the led clusters to the dimmer. I would use a random screw for a ground. My only concern with this is if they might pull too much power and make the dash noticably dimmer than before. If anyone has any experience with this, or has a better idea on how to wire them up, let me know. Thanks!

 

what gauges u hookin' up..i got an a/f and a simple vac gauge..this is the second car that i have gauges for. i started using the hot wires by tapping the fuse box with a test light..trun ur lights on then whatever lights up the test light, then u can run a plain wire in the fuse. it sounds sick/ameateur but i have not had any problems since and no fuses blown. i grounded all of the to my radio..u can also get power from ur radio..

 

I have egt, boost/vac., and a fuel pressure that I haven't bought yet. I'll probably just tap into the parking light power if this doesn't work. I would like to be able to dim them though with the dash lights.

 

Just use the red/yellow wire for positive and black/red for ground. You will find them going into any switch that lights up. Those wires are controlled by the illumination system and dimmer.

 

are you putting them on the pillar or in the DIN slot like I did?

either way you could just tap the dimmer/power/ground wires from the stereo's harness, thats what I did, even made quick disconnects for it all

 

I'm putting them on the pillar. Do you have pics of your DIN slots? I don't remember seeing your setup.

 

http://s92599732.onlinehome.us/images/92max/dash1.jpg

I dont have them anymore, kind of would like to get some again (mainly volts and oil pressure)

 

I didn't know you can hook LED's up to a dimmer - I would have thought they'd "step" down in light intensity or stop working if not enough voltage was being fed to them.
If they work fine with the dimmer, will look at changing mine gauge lights out...

 

A heads up :
I was changing my dimmer switch last week, and for some strange reason it no longer works I have tried different spare dimmer switches and even checking the bulbs in the dash. Dont worry I checked the fuse beforing doing any of this. In conclusion I have no power to my dimmer !

 

you mean your lights dont work at all now...interior at night? if they dont you shorted your TCU

 

Check your tail light fuse. Usually that controls all of the interior lights that run in the dash area

 

All the instrument lights work fine (i.e parking brake, abs, etc) It is just the tach, speed, lights for driving at night that do not light up.

 

check your tail light fuse. It controls those lights. I had the same issue

 

He said that he has already checked the fuse so if that's really not the case, then check the time control unit like Dmad suggested.

 

ok.. dont go offside on me.. I have looked through the manual and through the forums. I can not find anything on the time control unit (TCU)
any help would be much appreciated!
thank you..