Need quick boost gauge install help

[rocketspeed]

Can't figure out how to get at dimmer to get at the wire to power the light for the gauge. Might be easier if I could get the "U" shaped piece of plastic off under the column, but I can't seem to get that off either. There's such a maze of stuff under the dash, I can't reach up to the thing.

Any tips?

[MSP2746]

Just grab the ends of the U, and pull directly outwards. It'll come off, there's just a couple of clips holding it on. After you get it off, it's a tight fit to get to the back of the dimmer switch, but there are tabs on the top and on the bottom. Squeeze them towards eachother, and push towards the back of the car. The dimmer switch sould pop right out.

Hope I replied in time to help!

[t3ase]

I do believe that if you hook the gauge up to the dimmer that it will in fact work in opposite of the gauge cluster... So if you're cluster is brighter, the gauge will be dim. I'd find another wire to tap in to such as the foglight relay or parking light wire.

[MSP2746]

The dimmer wire he's talking about is the one I listed in my How To, it's the green one with the black wire, constant 12v when the parking lights are on. I made sure to mention that trying to use the dimmer would result in opposite operation :).

[Dr.Sound]

here ya go:

http://www.msprotege.com/vbb230/_handler.php/Dr.Sound/dimmer%20switch%20wire%20for%20gauge.jpg

i knew i took this pic for a reason :D

[Dr.Sound]

ok, easiest way is to pop the cover that is on the side of the dashboard.......it's where the door comes in contact with the dashboard when the door is closed.

that way it's much easier to access the dimmer switch.

[MSP2746]

Thanks Dr. Sound!

I've got a similar in-car pic that I'm going to add to the How To if and when the manage files operation gets back on-line. It actually makes sense to remove that side panel as well, that would make it easier to run the wires and vac hose to the a-pillar as well. I'll make sure to update that as well, if'n ya don't mind. :)

[Dr.Sound]

no problemo :D
glad to help my fellow MSPer's

[t3ase]

Gotcha.....

[rocketspeed]

Yes, I figured it out on my own- the side panel is by far the easiest way to get into it. I tapped into the green wire as shown above. Seems to work fine. Install is all done and looks great, seems to work well. Holds steady at 20 psi vaccum and 7psi of boost, tailing off just a hair in high RPM's.

Hardest part was getting the "t" on the vaccum hose, it was cold today (about 20* and the thing just didnt' want to go on. I got it in there pretty good, although it could have gone farther- eventually my thumb started bleeding from pushing on it.

I had to use the crummy plastic tubing because nobody around had a barb that would fit the back of the gauge. Got it in there with no kinks, so it looks good in the end. I'll post a couple pics later- this is a single gauge pod.

[Dr.Sound]

awesome, glad everything worked out :D

[rocketspeed]

Can't seem to upload my pics, I think they're still working on that part of the site. Anyway, the look is nice- the lighting is pretty close to stock and the silver gauge face matches up well. I'm very pleased with the results. I took my time (took me a couple of hours) and did everything very carefully, its all tied up nice and neat and the pod mounted up to the pillar perfectly. I drilled through and ran the hose and wires, drilled the little tabs that hold the pod to the pillar. Came out very clean.

Couple of tips for other folks doing this install- this is for the Autometer with the single gauge pod, although I guess its applicable to any.

The grommet through the firewall is easier to locate from the inside. There is a skinny yellow wire that runs through. Run a piece of coathanger through or a screwdriver (carefully), get out of the car and look under the hood- you'll see the end sticking out. Route your line through there, not too hard.

Its much easier to access the dimmer switch wire through the side panel on the dash. It just pries off with a screwdriver. I just started from the bottom and it popped off with a little effort.

The A-pillar is easiest to pry off starting at the top. Apply pressure carefully and it'll come off in one piece.

The tabs to hold the pod on seem to work well when put one top and bottom on the windshield side and one on the top about halfway (when I can post a pic, I'll show you). Nice tight flush fit.

Thanks to the folks on the board for the help on this install.

[Black Majik MSP]

I do believe that if you hook the gauge up to the dimmer that it will in fact work in opposite of the gauge cluster... So if you're cluster is brighter, the gauge will be dim.

This is correct...when my old roommate & I installed my gauge, we used this & now it dims in reverse. The gauge lights up all the time, dims 1/2 way when the AC is at 1, & turns off completely at 2. I don't mind since I usually drive without the AC on & when my mom was in the car at night, I turned the AC on & she didn't even see that I had the gauge. :D

[rocketspeed]

The green wire with the black stripe gives you constant 12v and a light that doesn't dim. Works rather well.

Other tip- some kind of lube that won't hurt the rubber vaccum tube (oil might, I don't know) would make that T a lot easier to get on. Mine was a b*tch.