Gauge wiring: Please Help!, I think I may have f**ked up... Options

[Diab1o_3000]

I was wiring my reverse glo gauges and I taped into the green wire at the dimmer. I read that I wasn't supposed to, but it was 3 in the morning and I just did it. Anyway, I wired the ground behind the guages on the chassis. I tested it and they DID light up, so I tapped in and spliced it. (I tested it by just putting the end of the red wire to the port on the dimmer harness that the green wire came from) So then, I turn on the headlights and hear a strange sound likke a brown-out sounds in a light bulb. Now all my electrical is EXTRA wweak, even after unplugging the gauges. I MIGHT have enough power for an ant's wristwatch. What did I do and what should I do now! And I would also like to know the CORRECT place to tap into so that my guages come on with the lights. Thanks in advance for any help.

This post has been edited by Diab1o_3000: Aug 3, 2006 - 10:25 AM

[Coomer]

You could have burnt up wires or a fuse. I'd check your fuse for your instrument cluster lights first, and then all your fuses if that one is still good.

For wiring indiglo gauges, you should use a SPDT relay that's triggered off of the parking light circuit and gets a fused +12v power supply from the battery.

[Diab1o_3000]

I'd check your fuse for your instrument cluster lights first,

Another question. I don't have my manual or anything, so how do I know which fuse is for what and which wire is which?

[95celgt]

the fuses are labeled on the fuse cover panel

[Diab1o_3000]

the fuses are labeled on the fuse cover panel

WOW! You have no idea how retarded I feel!! I've taken that little cover off so many times and have never actually turned it over!! I guess that IS common sense, but you know what some say: "Common sense isn't all that common" BTW, everything still WORKS, but my month old battery is as if it has been drained in the space of a few seconds to one minute. Is this possible? Right now it seems to not be AS weak but I still can't start it or even get that starter rattling sound in the engine bay. And I've seen posts where this has been disputed, but I have a fuse that says "SEAT-HTR" Is that a seat heater??? Also,

you should use a SPDT relay that's triggered off of the parking light circuit and gets a fused +12v power supply from the battery.

not to sound too stupid, but I'm TOTALLY new to car electrical. What does that actually mean in simpler terms. Sorry to be so needy...

[Diab1o_3000]

ANY help is desperately needed...

[Diab1o_3000]

*Urgently trying to bump it up as I have deadlines approaching*...

[BluuFire]

You can find out about SPDT (Single Pole Double Throw) relays at http://www.the12volt.com/relays/relays.asp. Hope that helps!

[Delta_Phoenix]

Just for your reference, I wired my gauges into a green wire on one of the plugs that connect to the back of the cluster. I think it was on the middle plug. Just use the same method you did before.

[lazarpaul]

I connected mine to the parking lite fuse....is the one in the upper right corner.....I belive is a 15A fuse.....but first u gotta take the fuse out and connect the cable to the hot end of the fuse.....mine is the bottom one.