Installing triple gauge A pillar pod consisting of Volts, Water & Oil Temp.
A few quick questions:

1). What is the nearest dash light power source to the A Pillar ? (for gauge Lights)
2). What is the nearest ignition power source to the A Pillar ? (for gauge power)
3). Is there an engine sensor for antifreeze & oil to tap off of ?
(they came with sensors that need to be drilled & tapped, don't want to go this route if not necessary)

Appreciate any Response.....

 

1: Instrument rheostat (dimmer) - that gives you regulated ground. Take positive power from the fuse box.
2: Fuse box
3: Most people cut the top radiator hose and install the adaptor for the temp sensor there. Not the right way to do it but quick. Best way is to remove the coolant drain valve at the back of the engine block and install the sensor in it's place. But you'll need to figure out the adaptor bushings to mmatch the threads.

 

1: Instrument rheostat (dimmer) - that gives you regulated ground. Take positive power from the fuse box.
Concern is that there is only 1 ground for the gauge which is for function & lights. Would using ground from rheostat affect the functionability?? Is there a pos dashlight source without going thru the firefall?

2: Fuse box
Again, anything on the inside of the firewall?

3: Most people cut the top radiator hose and install the adaptor for the temp sensor there. Not the right way to do it but quick.
Saw it done that way but was looking for an already present sensor. Like the one that controls the blue/red temp idiot light.

Best way is to remove the coolant drain valve at the back of the engine block and install the sensor in it's place. But you'll need to figure out the adaptor bushings to match the threads.
Great alternative.....

Thanx for your quick response !

 

there is a fuse box inside the firewall, cabin of the vehicle. use a fuse tap adaptor to get your acc power. just use a blank slot.

 

Thanx BF............

 

let us know if you end up dimming them. I when mine were on my A-pillar I just hooked up a cutoff switch to kill the lights and functionality all together when they bothered me. Now I have them in the oven, so i just close the oven door.

I thought that LEd's didnt dim well, like on or off.

 

You know BF, I hooked them up last night and they are quite bright in Blue, yes a lil bothersom!!! LOL
In Red they aren't too bad but Blue is my color. Now my gauge lights have to be turned on everytime the light are turned on.
And I think you're right about LED & dimming, on is on, off is off, unless someone else knows different .......

 

the ones in my hvac dim slightly, but then go off abruptly.

what brand did you get?> I have glowshift.

what do you mean your gauge lights have to be on everytime you turn your lights on. you have them wired to the parking lights?

 

Too bad you're not in CA. I got those exact 3 gauges installed by a guy I know and he did a terrific job!
I got mine from GLOWSHIFT Gauges.

 

BF
I have them tapped off the Green wire from the rheostat. When I turn my lights on, I have to turn them on individually. I'm thinking that they do turn on and reset to white.
White is the only color that does not work on any of them.... That may change cause one time I turned on the lights and one of them came on so who knows....

I have a glowshift pod but my gauges are Neostat, found them at Harbor Freight for $19.99ea !!!! Harbor Freight has doubled their auomotive inventory. They also sell flexible LEDs and so much more.

SB,
I'm a real DIY'r. I need to know how everything is connected in my cars. I'm workin on a ICE next, peicing it together now for an April installation...

 

dont they have a constant power wire so the gauges remember their color?

 

Didn't connect that one yet!! LOL Guess that mystery's solved.....

 

nice. I ran mine right to the battery. but i think there may be a constant in the fuse box if you want to try and find it. I just went to the battery though. there is a really easy hole in the firewall to use. just push through the rubber grommet.

 

Yeah, that's the path all my thru the firewall connections go. I've got a couple direct battery lines already under the dash so I just gotta pick one.

 

6 months late but.. does anyone have a DIY guide or know someone who can install these gauge pods on an xa? =/

 

Don't have a DIY but they are quite easy to install so don't be afraid to try. Wiring diagram should be included with gauges. Hopefully this will help:

Pull off your A pillar cover. Apply double sided tape (3M red) along the edge, drill hole large enough to accomodate all the gauge wiring. (1/2" should be enough) Install gauges on gauge pod. Connect all the same color wires together. Run wires thru the A pillar cover. Expose tape and push gauge pod to A pillar cover and hold. (remember to clean both surfaces with alcohol before applying tape, and the use of a heat gun/hand held hair dryer will help the adhesive)

Connect the wires (according to the wire color scheme for your gauges)

Check your wiring but mine was like this

Black = Ground (ran a ground to the body)
Orange = Ignition power (tapped off unused port in fuse box)
Red = Constant power (direct to batt)
Green = Sensor (to installed sensors)
Yellow = Lights (to green wire off of rheostat) (dimmer)