Topic: Wiring new guages to factory dimmer?

[prang11]

I need to know how to hook my autometer gauges up to my factory dimmer so that when the truck lights come on they do to.  Having them work with the dimmer is something I want to do.  I have been searching with no luck and have also looked through my hanes manual.  There is a wiring diagram in the hanes but I have no clue how to read that stuff.  Wiring is not my strong point. 

If anyone has done this I would appretiate your input.  The more descriptive you are the better.

Thanks
Andrew

[toada]

I need to know how to hook my autometer gauges up to my factory dimmer so that when the truck lights come on they do to.  Having them work with the dimmer is something I want to do.  I have been searching with no luck and have also looked through my hanes manual.  There is a wiring diagram in the hanes but I have no clue how to read that stuff.  Wiring is not my strong point. 

If anyone has done this I would appretiate your input.  The more descriptive you are the better.

Thanks
Andrew

what year truck I'm doing the same as we speak (84 ext cab )are the gauges near the radio?

[crx-si]

Do you mean you want to change the intensity of the lights  or just want them to come on with the park lights.
For the 84 to come on with the park lights you will have to find the green wire in the drivers kick panel and tie it to a wire on your guages lights the other ground check with a test tight first to make sure. and if you want it to dim you will have to find the wire on the dimmer that changes voltage as you turn the knob.

[prang11 [OP]]

Sorry, It is an 85 regular cab pickup.  I have checked both the wires on the dimmer knob and at no point do they ever have power.  I tapped into one of the dimmer wires already but it did not work.  I would like the lights to come on when the park lights come on aswell as be able to dim them.  I dont run my dash at full intensity, usually half so I would like my gauges to do the same.

The gauges are on the pillar in one of Loteks pods.

Thanks for the help guys

[crx-si]

In an 85 it is the same green wire if you can't use the the dimmer just tap in to tha side of one of the bulbs in the cluster it should do the same.

[prang11 [OP]]

Stupid electrical.  Thanks for the help.  Anyone else have an opinion or knowledge on another way to do this?

[crx-si]

Terminal 1 on the c connector on back of you guage cluster you will see it is clearly marked, it is the dimmer circuit.