Using stock wire signals for Autometer gauges... do-able? Details within...

[Guest 73Turbo240z]

Alright i've been working on retrofitting the dash w/ autometer gauges before i re-install it back into the car, now i'm running an electric water temp, and an electric oil pressure, i have other gauges but those are the only 2 of real relevance to this discussion.

 

On the autometer wiring for the gauge the gauge asks for signal input, a ground, and an ignition source.

 

Obviously ground and signal input from the sender are easy to get, but the ignition signal, rather than run my own channel to the gauges, i thought it would be smart to use the stock stuff since it looks like Z gauges stock are alot like autometers in there wiring.

 

That being said, does anyone know off hand what the wiring colors are for the ignition wire at the gauges?

 

I've already wired the autometer lights into the stock harness, and i'd like to get the ign source out of the stock harness too, doing everything i can to cut down on redundant wiring.

 

Also for those that have thought about autometer gauges, but never seen the back of there dash, you can take the stock light wiring which grounds out through the gauge, wire your hot to the hot lead of the bulb, then extend your ground to the metal framework of the dashboard, then the gauges will light just like stock. You can also gut your stock gauge pods and use the plastic/metal housing to fit your autometers in, in a virtually stock appearance manor (depending on if you paint your autometer bezel or not.

 

Anyway, back to the point at hand, anyone know the ign wire color for the stock oil pressure/water temp?

 

*this is all in relevance to a 73' 240z dash/wiring, check other years for differences before following anything i or others say in this thread*

[Guest 73Turbo240z]

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[dj paul]

i think you can find out by looking at the wiring diagram in the stickies, im going to do this too pretty soon, i have my dash out. im replacing my harness though so i wont need to know.

[Ed260Z]

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I dont know off hand what color is which, but if I understand corectly you need an ignition on hot wire. The easiest way would be to get a voltmeter and check all the wires from the stock harnes to the gauge.(6 I think) with the Ign off. Then turn the key to the on position and see which one goes hot.

 

Hope that helps.

Ed