Tach install will this work?
Tach install will this work? I am installing an Autometer tach in my 2002 Camaro. The stereo is removed .Can I wire the tach thru an aftermarket stereo plug for power and ground? I want to pull power from orange wire on stereo connector, ground from black wire, and dash lighting for the tach from the brown wire. I would use the fuse from the fuse panel to stereo.I would like to wire it thru the plug so I do not have to splice wires. Thanks.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 347
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
If you aren't going to have a stereo then certainly you can use the stereo wiring for other purposes. However, DO NOT use the orange wire in the factory stereo harness to power your tach as that is a constant (battery) power supply. Use the yellow wire which is ignition switched power. Better yet, buy yourself a $10 stereo harness adapter so that you can just plug into the factory connector (in this case you want to use the red wire in the harness adapter for ignition switched power).
If the tach illumination can dim with the dash lights then use the grey wire in the factory harness (or the orange wire in a harness adapter) to provide variable power that dims with the rest of the dash lights. The brown wire in the factory harness (the orange/white wire in an adapter harness) provides a simple on/off... 12V+ when the lights are on and nothing when they are off.
If the tach illumination can dim with the dash lights then use the grey wire in the factory harness (or the orange wire in a harness adapter) to provide variable power that dims with the rest of the dash lights. The brown wire in the factory harness (the orange/white wire in an adapter harness) provides a simple on/off... 12V+ when the lights are on and nothing when they are off.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 347
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
If you're using an aftermarket stereo harness adapter then don't use its yellow wire as that too is battery power. The yellow wire in the factory harness mates to the red wire in the aftermarket harness for ignition switched power.
