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Power for gauges, help

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Old 08-16-12, 11:47 AM
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Question Power for gauges, help

The car is an 87 II Coupe and I am installing a Prosport Boost, Oil Pressure, and an Innovate AFR gauges. I've already established that I am going to run the wires through the firewall below the charcoal canister area. I'm not a genius with wiring either but, I can figure it out. I've seen someone pull out the glove box to get access the wires or can you get to them by where the ECU is located? If someone could point me in the right direction it would save me some time and frustration. Thanks.
Old 08-16-12, 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Silver Comet
The car is an 87 II Coupe and I am installing a Prosport Boost, Oil Pressure, and an Innovate AFR gauges. I've already established that I am going to run the wires through the firewall below the charcoal canister area. I'm not a genius with wiring either but, I can figure it out. I've seen someone pull out the glove box to get access the wires or can you get to them by where the ECU is located? If someone could point me in the right direction it would save me some time and frustration. Thanks.
I think you're going to need to be a little more specific on a couple of those gauges... is the AFR a wide or narrowband? Is the oil pressure a mechanical or electric? Have you installed the sensors/senders? Have you plumbed the boost gauge into a proper vacuum line?

The 12V IGN can come from either the steering column, or the green connector by the trailing coil, that's your choice.
Old 08-16-12, 12:54 PM
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whats going on?

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well you will have to run new wires to the sensors, then the best way to go about wireing them is a relay (its just a switch that uses electricity to power) and find a good common ground. thats about it and thats about the cleanest way.
Old 08-16-12, 01:03 PM
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I just hooked up a mech water temp guage and had to run the cable thru the firewall. I thought the pass side was gonna be good for me but the drivers side actually had more room in my car. I took off a sensor by the clutch fill area and was able to get my hand down there. And from the inside it goes through right by ur fuse panel. Stick a coat hanger thru to open the hole up so you can see daylight and then feed ur stuff through.
Old 08-16-12, 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Silver Comet
The car is an 87 II Coupe and I am installing a Prosport Boost, Oil Pressure, and an Innovate AFR gauges. I've already established that I am going to run the wires through the firewall below the charcoal canister area. I'm not a genius with wiring either but, I can figure it out. I've seen someone pull out the glove box to get access the wires or can you get to them by where the ECU is located? If someone could point me in the right direction it would save me some time and frustration. Thanks.
If you are trying to run wires where the engine harness goes through:

Pull the door sill
Peel the carpet back
Recline the passenger seat
Lay in it with your head on the floor and your feet in the hatch area
Reach up behind the dash like your a retarded version of superman
Old 08-16-12, 01:39 PM
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Originally Posted by MIDNFauciUSN
I think you're going to need to be a little more specific on a couple of those gauges... is the AFR a wide or narrowband? Is the oil pressure a mechanical or electric? Have you installed the sensors/senders? Have you plumbed the boost gauge into a proper vacuum line?

The 12V IGN can come from either the steering column, or the green connector by the trailing coil, that's your choice.
The AFR gauge is a Wideband. Both of the Prosport gauges are electronic. I've already install the Oil Pressure Sender along with all other basic processes. At this point all I want to do is to get all of these wires through the passenger side firewall opening, hook them up to power, and mount the gauges. I took the liberty of checking out where the harness goes to the ECU by lifting up the carpeting and such. The firewall isn't visible in the inside of the car. Is it behind the glove box or can I attach the wires to a coat hanger, push them through the firewall, and I'll see where it's visible? Thanks
Old 08-16-12, 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 86rxNa
I just hooked up a mech water temp guage and had to run the cable thru the firewall. I thought the pass side was gonna be good for me but the drivers side actually had more room in my car. I took off a sensor by the clutch fill area and was able to get my hand down there. And from the inside it goes through right by ur fuse panel. Stick a coat hanger thru to open the hole up so you can see daylight and then feed ur stuff through.
I just checked this out and it looks a lot easier than what I'm trying to do along with having a little more slack on the wires since it's a shorter distance. I might try this instead of going through the passenger side.
Old 08-16-12, 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Silver Comet
The AFR gauge is a Wideband. Both of the Prosport gauges are electronic. I've already install the Oil Pressure Sender along with all other basic processes. At this point all I want to do is to get all of these wires through the passenger side firewall opening, hook them up to power, and mount the gauges. I took the liberty of checking out where the harness goes to the ECU by lifting up the carpeting and such. The firewall isn't visible in the inside of the car. Is it behind the glove box or can I attach the wires to a coat hanger, push them through the firewall, and I'll see where it's visible? Thanks
It is. Use a flashlight and follow your hand up the ecu wires. Poke the grommet in/out and have some one stick a flashlight through the hole so you can see it easier. Or poke some mechanic wire through to help you navigate your hands easier. I've done it tons of times. It just takes patience the first time until you know where the hole is. Like being a virgin. Lol
Old 08-16-12, 06:18 PM
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i ran my wires through the firewall using the smaller grommet below the wiper motor to the right of the charcoal canister...i'm not sure what it originally was used for, but mine was empty so i took advantage of that. it comes out right behind the glove box, youll be able to see the wires after you poke them through and you can reach and grab them.
Old 08-16-12, 09:05 PM
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Just ran mine through the passenger side with a old clothes hanger. The hole was previously cut for some kind of crappy alarm system that no longer worked so I ripped out all of those wires in the process. All in all a win. Got dark so at least I pulled all the wires though and I can wire it quickly up tomorrow. Thanks for all your help guys.

Ps

To anyone that thinks you need to pull off the glove box, you do not need to. If you push the wire though enough you will see it pop out. Have someone wiggle the wires on the engine side of the firewall and you can stick your hand up in there and feel for the wire. Have them guide it in while you pull it through or vice versa.
Old 08-16-12, 11:32 PM
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Future reference:
Grab a steel coat hanger and tape the wires to it and shove it through at the ECU Harness Grommet( Pass side) it will hit the floor on the passenger side,Grab it and Voila.
Old 08-16-12, 11:34 PM
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Comet: I just did some Prosport gauges.If you don't care about whether they are Lit up in the day time or not( because I wired mine to light up 24/7 when on) I can give ya tips on how to do it.
I just did Oil Pressure,boost and Coolant.Mine are the EVO series.
Old 08-16-12, 11:34 PM
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in my honest opinion i connected my boost gauge to the cigarette lighter, its always on but, its worth it i can see it more clearly when its always on
Old 08-16-12, 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted by misterstyx69
Comet: I just did some Prosport gauges.If you don't care about whether they are Lit up in the day time or not( because I wired mine to light up 24/7 when on) I can give ya tips on how to do it.
I just did Oil Pressure,boost and Coolant.Mine are the EVO series.
Yea this is what I'm doing and by all means I love tips!
Old 08-17-12, 08:04 AM
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Originally Posted by okevin
in my honest opinion i connected my boost gauge to the cigarette lighter, its always on but, its worth it i can see it more clearly when its always on
could have wired it to the light bulb for the ring around the cig lighter, that way its only on when your lights are on...
Old 08-17-12, 12:37 PM
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Originally Posted by barkz
could have wired it to the light bulb for the ring around the cig lighter, that way its only on when your lights are on...
very good idea, good thing its an easy switch to move , i appreciate it
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