i need some help on hoe to wire the gauge i'm not sure where to wire the positive wire to. i think it goes to the fuse box but i'm not totally sure. if it does which fuse do i wire it too or do i add an other fuse and wire it to the new fuse. thanks and sorry for the newb question

 

You need to get a switched ignition wire at the fuse box. Do you have a multimeter?

 

I'm very confused but am assuming aftermarket temp gauge wiring?

 

Yes aftermarket.

 

Listen to JJ, he knows his electrical and can explain it much better than I can.

Essentially he's going to tell you to use a multimeter to find a fuse on your panel that is 12v switched and tap into that corresponding wire.

Damn it...I just stole his thunder!?!?! :P

 

Great thanks guys ill install it tomorrow. For tonight will my sevens first night on stands till the morn LOL

 

Yup, but I was also going to add that he needs to splice and solder into a wire and not just jam the wire into the fuse.

 

Will do. I didnt plan on just smashing the wires into a fuse anyhow lol. I have another question. Where should I route the wire through? Through the firewall. Im trying to find a good spot but im not too sure. This is my first gauge install so please cut me some slack lol

 

There might be some unused plugs in his engine bay with switched 12v. If so, it would be a lot easier since all you would need to do is crimp a spade onto the wire and then slide the spade in appropriate slot on found and tested unused connector.

 

I would keep as much in the interior of the car as possible. Obviously a wire needs to come out into the engine bay and the easiest way is to go through the big *** rube grommet on the passenger side.

At work, I use these.

48 in. Heavy-Duty Cable Ties (10-Pack)-296234T at The Home Depot

You cut the block off the end of it and you use electrical tape to secure wire to it. Makes a great wire fish. I've been reusing the same ones for 6 years.

 

LOL, I never considered that someone would do such a poor job.

I guess it depends on where you are mounting the gauge. I've used the 12v switched for my stereo for mine.

I like to use wire coat hanger I straighten and cut to length.

 

Ok I just drilled a hole in the firewall into the tire well and fed the wire through the hole the enters the engine bay. I cant get the leaverage and dont have the room the take the stock temp sender out. I was gonna use the stock sender hole. Ive read to drill and tap the wp housing but that isnt an option for me. I read the cooland hose from the tb to back rotor housing is a fine location. I was wandering if you guys know what size the tb coolant hose is so I can pick up a t fitting to install my sender.

 

I mean rubber grommet on the drivers side...ooops

 

Dude, I see it all the time at work, to the point it makes me sick. A coat hanger works or even an antenna mast sharpened at the end, but at least with my method, you don't risk stabbing through wires in bulky grommets. What I do is poke the grommet on the outside "bulge" with a razor blade and run my super long zip tie through that. The I just pick the side most convenient to pull a wire through.

If my wire is inside the car and I need to bring it outside, but doing the opposite is easier, I do not hesitate cutting it and running from outside in. You can always solder it back together inside the car.

No no no, do not do that. Go through the driver side grommet. Also, fill up that hole you drilled with silicone or you are going to get a shitload of water soaked into your carpet and possible in the CPU.

As far as mounting, I have been looking to find an adapter myself that would go into the thermowax coolant hose or BAC valve coolant hose. No luck as of yet. Might have to build one from **** from home depot.

Is this car an S5? If so, I can get out my old FSM and just give you a wire color at the driver kick panel near the fuse box. You still need to test it but it would save you time not just probing around.

 

Yes its s5 thanks

 

I used to have my water temp sensor tapped into the bac hose, it works OK. I think the reading will be a few degree's lower as its not exactly the hottest spot in the coolant system. A good hardware store with have the right fittings and tee. Cost under $10.

 

There should be a kind of fat Blue wire at the the fuse box that sits behind the 15A Wiper fuse.If you are placing the gauge in the center of the car, you can get switch 12v at the cigar lighter ( positive should be readily evident as it is connected to the center electrode).

 

great thanks for the help

 

Would this be the fat blue wire to splice in for power for the gauge? And what wires can I splice the gauge light into