Gauge wiring
For the 12V switched, any pink wire on a 99+ fbody will be 12V switched. Just look under the dash for one and test it to make 100% sure it is switched. As for the lights, you will have to check the wires coming out of one any light source that turns on such as your headlights. Someone else may be able to tell you the exact wire to use. But if you want your gauges to light up all the time, day or night, just use the same wire as you do for the 12V switched. Hope this helps.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Originally Posted by SS 1LE
For the 12V switched, any pink wire on a 99+ fbody will be 12V switched. Just look under the dash for one and test it to make 100% sure it is switched. As for the lights, you will have to check the wires coming out of one any light source that turns on such as your headlights. Someone else may be able to tell you the exact wire to use. But if you want your gauges to light up all the time, day or night, just use the same wire as you do for the 12V switched. Hope this helps.
Similarly, most - but not all - brown wires are used for the parking/running lights and can be tapped for gauge illumination.
The preferred method for obtaining switched power is to use the accessory ports on the fuse panel. There are three of them - one for constant (battery) power, one for ignition switched power, and one for accessory power (retained accessory power). These extra ports are designed by GM for use attaching aftermarket accessories. You'll see them in the fuse panel - they're labeled BATT, IGN, and ACCY and they have only single pins rather than the two pins used by the fuses.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 346
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
The ports can be plugged into using standard 1/4" spade terminals crimped or soldered to the end of your wire. There is a single bolt that holds the fuse panel in place to the side of the dash. Remove the bolt so that you can move the panel aside to feed your wire through from behind. Plug your wire into the appropriate port and route it to the side of the panel then re-attach the panel with the bolt. Make sure you put a fuse inline in your wire since the ports are protected only by a 30 amp fusible link.
While you're in the area of the fuse panel you might find it convenient to tap into the brown wire at the back of the headlight switch for your gauge illumination. Or, you could tap into the dark green wire at the dimmer switch to have your gauge illumination dim with the dash lights.
While you're in the area of the fuse panel you might find it convenient to tap into the brown wire at the back of the headlight switch for your gauge illumination. Or, you could tap into the dark green wire at the dimmer switch to have your gauge illumination dim with the dash lights.
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