Author Topic: Installing gauges question (Read 1764 times)

Burpin Chunks · « **on:** January 20, 2005 - 10:28:18 AM »

I am installing autometer guages in place of the stock gauges. Who has done this. I am talking to my mechanic about putting them in and though I trust him he is saying he will have to make a new wiring harnes and this and that and it could get pricey. I said hold off buckeroo (he is 100 percent east texas hick) I said I will find someone who has done this and get instruction on what needs to be done and what not. So what it comes down to is this.

HHEEEELLLLLPPPPPPPPP

gomopar440 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2005 - 10:40:52 AM »

Painless Wiring has a universal aftermarket guage harness that should simplify the process.

http://www.painlesswiring.com/catalogframe.htm

I've always just made my own using the guage wiring diagram and the vehicle diagram. On an older car it's usually not that hard, even for a "hick"

HemiDog · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2005 - 11:16:12 AM »

I just got in a complete set of Cobalt (the blue is wicked!) Autometer guages and going the painless wiring route(doing the entire car that way), but I don't see where it would be hard to do with the stock wiring.� On all the guages you have a positive, negative, and dash light hookup.� The oil pressure comes with a sending unit and plug already wired to the supplied harness as does the water temp. So drill or use an existing hole in the firewall, route the wires, and plug and play.� The fuel guage has one wire for the fuel sending unit, which will hook right up to the stock one and two extra wires that are only used to calibrate the guage and not used after that is done (you can wire a simple switch as an option).� The tach has all the same hookups as any other.� I am going the electric speedo route, so there are wires that need to go to a special sending unit for the tranny.� If you want more detail on the specific guages you are planning on using you can look at the instructions on AutoMeter's web site.

In all, it isn't hard.

gomopar440 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2005 - 02:45:13 PM »

I was curious about the blue backlight on those Cobalt guages. How do they look?

HemiDog · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2005 - 02:59:22 PM »

I really like the look. They just kind of glow and they are bright. I will try to get a couple pictures posted tomorrow.

HemiDog · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2005 - 09:41:25 AM »

Here are some pictures of the gauges (front and back of the 3 3/8 and 2 1/16 gauges) and a couple of the water temp and oil pressure senders.� The water temp also somes with adapters to get the sender to fit various size holes.� The 2 1/16 gauges come with wiring harnesses that plug in the back of the gauges.

FYI: The digital milage display lights up a dark red and it always lit when power is applied to that gauge and not the gauge lights.

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gomopar440 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2005 - 10:19:40 AM »

Nice color! It's hard to find a good true blue backlight rather than the usual aqua or green ones that try to get passed off as blue.

I like that sender plug setup too. Those plugs would make maintenance quite a bit easier if those were used on all of the engine wiring (starter, alt, water temp, oil press, etc...) close to the components like that sender in your last pic.

zstalker · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2005 - 05:42:53 PM »

how much does a setup like that cost? I really like the cobalt, and I saw the 'nexus' gauges they have....SWEEEEET!! I'm going to be making a custom dash for my car, and I really dig that look.

Author Topic: Installing gauges question (Read 1764 times)

Burpin Chunks

Installing gauges question

gomopar440

Re: Installing gauges question

HemiDog

Re: Installing gauges question

gomopar440

Re: Installing gauges question

HemiDog

Re: Installing gauges question

HemiDog

Re: Installing gauges question

gomopar440

Re: Installing gauges question

zstalker

Re: Installing gauges question