Ok I KNOW this had been gone over, but I have searched and I still can't get it done.

Im trying to install some new gauges I got off eBay, but I am not able to remove the whole guage cluster. Its stuck in too tight with the tach and speedo cables attatched to the back of it and I cannot figure out how to undo them! I need to take it out futher to remove the black bezel that holds the guage faces in place. any tips?

and after theyre in and im trying to install the inverter, im pretty good with electronics, but is there any easy way to tell which 12v line is for the headlights? (not the dimmer, the actual headlights)

and yeah. if anyone has a link to a GOOD guide (the one on fc3 or whatever webiste is crap) thatd be awesome too

ive already broken my clear plastic guage cover trying to get this thing dismantled, so im rather flustered as it is!!!!!

thanks guys

and sorry for the repost againnn

 

There is no cable going to the tach, only the speedometer. To get it off, remove the speedo cable from the transmission. This will create enough slack in the cable so you can pull the gauge cluster away from the dash and have enough room to reach back there and disconnect it.

 

there are two bigg round wiring harnesses attatched to the back. those are what I cannot get off, theres still a bit more slack in the speedo.

should I jsut yank with everything ive got? or is there a trick to this

 

yeah reach behind and unplug them. Move the tabs that are in the middle of the plugs to one side to release them, and press down on the tab on the speedo cable to unplug it.

why headlights??? what are you trying to wire??? if it is the inverter, it needs to go to the parking lights for a non dimming source (the light switch- red/black) or dash lights (again at the light switch, but red/green). There is no 12 volt line for the headlights. They are controlled by ground (-) (and either way, you want the lights to come on with the parking lights right- or is this for some high beam or some sort of indicator???).

A guide for what... instructions for your dash kit or shop manuals or what???

 

I jsut meant on how to install. I can get it through no worries, thanks for the heads up on the clips for the harnesses.

the normal gauges dim with the dimmer, should not these? or is iit bad for the inverter (which I heard somewhere I think.,..)


are the parking lights the halfway ones? everyone on but headlights? bc yeh thats what would be ideal to wire to.

 

sry one more thing. do the needles jsut pop off when you pull on them?

anddd while on the subject... does anyone have that clear plastic cluster shield on a parts car that theyre willing to sell me?

 

The only needles that pop off are the tach and speedo. The others require the gauge to be disassembled to remove the pointer.

Mind that unless you have some delicate skill and really pay attention to how the other gauges are assembled I would not recommend that you take the pointers/needles off.

 

then how do I get the new gauge covers on without removing the needles/


edit: nvm looks like the holes are big enough to jsut slip them over... I hope..

 

so jsut to clarify, Im looking to tap into the red/black wires at the main light switch? Ill test it with my multimeter first of course but itd be good to know b4 I starg snipping.

 

Again what are you trying to do? Do you need a switched 12 volt source that is hot when the parking and headlights are on??? Is yes you can use the Red/black at the light switch (do not confuse this with the Red/blue at the light switch- some people do).

 

yes thats exactly what I need. I need the indiglo from the inverter to come on when the headlights/parking lights come on.

red and black it is.

thanks for all your help ice youre always a huge help!

 

Update:

Well theyre in, and they look fantastic!

take a look




yey!

my only complaint is that there is a very slight high pitch whine from SOMETHINGN when the device is turned on, but you can only hear it when the engine is off. I guess its a good reminder to turn it off! (I wires it to the solid red, which is a perma 12v line, so they can go on without a key in...)

but yeah. im happy!

 

looks good...wonder how they look in s5

 

id imagine much the same :P

I also noticed another flaw. the hight beam and shift up lights dont line up. maybe its diff between s4 and s5, may fit an s5 better!



edit: now that I think about it....

Icemark, did you mean to use the red with the black stripe? I figured you meant solid red for 12v and black for ground, but theyre hot all the time.

Is the red with the black stripe only hot when the headlights are on? is it hot when the parking lights are on too?

 

The Red/black (red wire w/black stripe) is hot when the parking and headlights are on. It is off/open when there are no lights on. It is a 12volt non-dimming wire when hot (on). This should be hooked up to the solid red wire of your inverter (the 12volt + in wire to the inverter- most aftermarket switched input wires are solid red; if your's is different let me know).

Black is ground at the switch. The black (ground) wire from your inverter should go there.

The high pitched whine is from your girlfriend when she found out how much you paid for the gauge covers and didn't buy her flowers or take her to a movie- just joking, it is from the voltage inverter. Try wraping it in some automotove carpet scrap or foam, or stuff it behind the glove box.

 

I have the same faces on my seven. You have to shine a light through the back of the old gauges to line up the highbeam indicator. Of course, if you have an automatic, and you're putting 5speed gauge faces on (or vice versa), you're out of luck.

I painted the front lens red, so there's always a red glow to the gauges, and it's easier to see the needle.

 

what kind of light? the stock ones you mean? so jsut relocate them?

 

There's a clear piece of plastic on the bottom of the gauge housing that transmits light from the back to the front of the gauge. I painted the front side of it with clear red Tamia model paint. I also painted the needles red withthe same paint. If I can, I'll take a picture and post it tonight or tomorrow morning.

 

Heres the pictures of my gauges
Daytime w/ red needles:

Nighttime w/red front illumination (Stealth Mode):

Nighttime with EL Illumination on (Note hint of front illumination):

 

no pics...

 

Crap, Stoopid Yahoo. uno momento por favor...

Wierd, I can see them with FireFox, but not Internet Exploiter...

Let's try this.
link to daylight picture...
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jamesb...bf.jpg&.src=ph

link to red front light picture
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jamesb...87.jpg&.src=ph

link to illuminated picture
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/jamesb...e6.jpg&.src=ph

 

Is there any other place on the net, OTHER than ebay to get some decent indiglo gauges like the ones posted?

 

Can't say I've seen any, but I havn't looked. I got mine off of EBay