Autometer electrical boost gauge wiring

[wreckwriter]

My Autometer electrical boost gauge says the power must come off of a switched circuit which does not drop off during engine start. Best as I can determine no circuit in my fuse panel is like that. Anyone have any ideas?

[GRRRR8]

There might be a blank spot in the fuse box for key on power. If not you may have to tap a wire on the ignition switch.

[wreckwriter]

The blanks are no good, already tested them and they all drop.

Best way to access ignition wires?

[-Ray-]

The blanks are no good, already tested them and they all drop.

Best way to access ignition wires?

Let me see if I can find the starter circuit. Fuse 39 is the ignition circuit.

[wreckwriter]

Let me see if I can find the starter circuit. Fuse 39 is the ignition circuit.

39? That's under hood I guess. I'd rather tap a wire than try to get more wires to the engine compartment.

[-Ray-]

Look here. These circuits should be active during start and after.
I can get you a larger image I guess.

[wreckwriter]

Thanks Ray. Those fuses are all outside cabin though, think I need to tap a wire.

I had a nightmare day yesterday pulling and splicing wires :(

[-Ray-]

Thanks Ray. Those fuses are all outside cabin though, think I need to tap a wire.

I had a nightmare day yesterday pulling and splicing wires :(

I have the ign switch end and wire color for you.

[wreckwriter]

Thanks!

Pin 1 is pink, that must be the wire Panther was talking about.

I guess this connector is inside the column?

[-Ray-]

Thanks!

Pin 1 is pink, that must be the wire Panther was talking about.

I guess this connector is inside the column?

Looking..........

[-Ray-]

Over 3000 references to that damn switch. I found it though.

[wreckwriter]

Over 3000 references to that damn switch. I found it though.

You da man Ray! Now if I can just figure out what I'm looking at.... Think I'll have to crawl under and hunt :)

[-Ray-]

I don't know what I'm doing either, so use at your own risk. :)
Standard disclaimer.

[wreckwriter]

I don't know what I'm doing either, so use at your own risk. :)
Standard disclaimer.

Always :)

[-Ray-]

Do you have a test light Tom?

[wreckwriter]

Do you have a test light Tom?

Yes, spent a good chunk of yesterday with it in my hand!

[-Ray-]

Cool. Then you can test circuits with the key in the start position.

[wreckwriter]

Cool. Then you can test circuits with the key in the start position.

Procedure I've been using is to first determine if it's switched power, then with light on start engine. So far its gone out every time. I think this pink wire is going to be my answer.

[-Ray-]

Procedure I've been using is to first determine if it's switched power, then with light on start engine. So far its gone out every time. I think this pink wire is going to be my answer.

LOL I'll pray for pink!

[GTPprix]

Ignition typically is pink in GM cars ;)

[wreckwriter]

Assuming this works my next trick is to find a wire to tap for the lights which will dim with the panel. I'm thinking to tap the atari gauge connector but not sure yet which wire it is....

[-Ray-]

assuming this works my next trick is to find a wire to tap for the lights which will dim with the panel. I'm thinking to tap the atari gauge connector but not sure yet which wire it is....

omg. Lol

[GTPprix]

The atari gauges dim from the LSCAN signal as I recall, wont work for a regular bulb. Thats the easy part I can figure that out in a few for you.

[wreckwriter]

The atari gauges dim from the LSCAN signal as I recall, wont work for a regular bulb. Thats the easy part I can figure that out in a few for you.

Thanks Chris. Something on the drivers side of the stack would be greatly preferable.

[wreckwriter]

omg. Lol

I had no idea this would be so difficult when I started....

[GTPprix]

Thanks Chris. Something on the drivers side of the stack would be greatly preferable.

Should be able to use headlamp switch lighting supply circuit those should be incandescent still.

[wreckwriter]

Should be able to use headlamp switch lighting supply circuit those should be incandescent still.

Any idea which wire?

[GTPprix]

I'm looking right now...

[wreckwriter]

I'm looking right now...

I appreciate it Chris!

[GTPprix]

Hrmm ok thats wierd I need to dig further into this its not showing a supply for the lighting on the schematic !?

[GTPprix]

Ok this might not work apparently they are LED now unlike past holdens which were incandescent I cant believe I forgot about this change... Anyhow try the YELLOW wire going to the headlamp switch as the power supply and ground the bulb... If that doesnt work you may have to get an LED replacement light for the gauge.

[wreckwriter]

The bulb is inside the gauge, not accessible. There has got to be a simple way to do this.

[GTPprix]

Its not a normal autometer just unscrew the bulb holder liek 1/4 turn and remove it? Like I said try it but if it doesnt work thats the only dimmer circuit everything else uses LSCAN for dimming IE IP/Radio/HVAC

[wreckwriter]

Its not a normal autometer just unscrew the bulb holder liek 1/4 turn and remove it? Like I said try it but if it doesnt work thats the only dimmer circuit everything else uses LSCAN for dimming IE IP/Radio/HVAC

I dunno, maybe. Nothing obvious at a glance so I'd have to take the pod out of the dash to see. Maybe I'll just leave the fuckers undimmed.

[Panther 2]

Wrech, I found a link that may help , I found it when I installed the PR on the Z06, it refers to the Vette but may be similar.

http://www.aacorvette.com/pdf/aa_c6_...structions.pdf

[wreckwriter]

Wrech, I found a link that may help , I found it when I installed the PR on the Z06, it refers to the Vette but may be similar.

http://www.aacorvette.com/pdf/aa_c6_...structions.pdf

Link is broken.

[-Ray-]

Yep, link is truncated for some reason.

[wreckwriter]

Must be this:

http://www.aacorvette.com/pdf/aa_c6_gauge_instructions.pdf

[wreckwriter]

Looks like they're grabbing power off ignition too. I contacted Autometer and the tech there agrees that the pink ignition wire should be the way to go. Hope to try it today.

[wreckwriter]

Can't get the bottom part of the steering column cover off so can't get to switch. Only pink wire I can find in the loom is a little bitty thing. I expected heavy gauge?

[wreckwriter]

Now I'm in trouble. Stripped a tiny place on the pink wire, touched it with test light. Little spark and now the car won't start. Anyone know which fuse this is?

[GRRRR8]

Check each fuse with a test light if you cant find out.

[wreckwriter]

All fuses appear good. Acts like battery again but won't jump

[wreckwriter]

A relay won't below before a fuse, right?

[GRRRR8]

No. Check to see if there is more then 1 fuse box. If its not cranking that is usually a MAXI fuse.

[wreckwriter]

I've checked all 3 fuse boxes. Not sure how to check the big fuses

[wreckwriter]

Swapped starter fuse with rear defog fuse, still nothing. I think the battery is out which obviously means something else is wrong.

[GRRRR8]

I've checked all 3 fuse boxes. Not sure how to check the big fuses

Check with a test light. If there is power on both sides its good. If you have a volt meter, test voltage of battery at battery.

[wreckwriter]

Got it on charger now

[wreckwriter]

Doesn't appear to be battery. I am so screwed :(

There's no way to test the big fuses, no metal to put light on.

[wreckwriter]

I got it. 2 amp fuse, discreet logic theft deterent system.

[wreckwriter]

I guess it thinks I'm hotwiring the car. How do I keep it from blowing again?

[Greg@PacePerformance]

I guess it thinks I'm hotwiring the car. How do I keep it from blowing again?

The problem is you are using a test light. You shoud be using a multi-meter. ;)

Trim removal
Disable the SIR system. Refer to SIR Disabling and Enabling .
Remove the steering wheel. Refer to Steering Wheel Replacement .



Important: Note original position of the steering wheel and column assembly with regards to steering wheel height and reach.

Release the steering column tilt lever.
Fully lower the steering wheel and column assembly.

Important: Do not use excessive force to separate the steering column trim covers.

Important: Press the steering column upper trim cover lower edge towards the front of the vehicle and lift in order to disengage the front locking tabs (4).

Unclip the face of the steering column upper trim cover (1) from the steering column lower trim cover (2).
Important: Lift the steering column upper trim cover face and pull towards the rear of the vehicle in order to disengage the rear locking tabs (3).

Remove the steering column upper trim cover (1).



Remove the steering column lower trim cover to steering column assembly retaining screw (3).
Important: Do not use excessive force to separate the steering column lower trim cover from the mounting tabs (1).

Important: Pull the steering column lower trim cover (2) towards the rear of the vehicle in order to disengage the mounting tabs (1).

Remove the steering column lower trim cover (2).

[wreckwriter]

Thanks Greg!

[wreckwriter]

Much as I hated to do it I ended up using Vampire taps to get the power off the pink wire. I couldn't full enough wire to get a place stripped and get in to solder it. It works.

For the lighting I tapped the yellow wire at the headlight switch. This also works and it does dim with the panel.

Both gauges are now working but boost has no sender yet. Fuel pressure reading high too, 60 lbs. Dunno why just yet.

[RB Designs]

In the past I have had lots of trouble with Autometer electric
boost gauges...............hope you have better luck!