just want to be sure, are the 2 red wires right below the ashtray area there the ones that go to the ashtray lights? i need em to wire up the light for my boost gauge. i dont feel comfortable messing with it unless im sure! thanks

 

Pull the ash tray light from the holder and use the hot wire to go to the new gage . The other wire from the gage goes to ground .

 

You need to connect both of the gauge light wires to both of the ash tray light wires or it will mess up the dash illumination and your gauge won't illuminate properly. The ash tray light wires should be unmistakable -- they go right to the little ash tray light.

-Max

 

I did mine the other day. The red wire with the black stripe is the hot wire.

 

And it worked with just one wire connected? I am nearly certain that doesn't work in my 93 and a number of other people's FDs that have posted their gauge wiring experiences. The dimmer circuit seems to be something other than simply reducing the voltage, and just connecting one wire messes it up (at least on my car).

Maybe Mazda changed how the dimmer worked in later cars?

-Max

 

If i remember correctly when i Checked the wire diagram on my motor all data at home the red wire with the black stripe ran from the light relay in the engine compartment and triggered 12v when you turn the accesory lights on to gauge cluser and other accesory lighting inside the car. I just ran the hot leads from my gauges to that wire and the other was just ground and itworked fine for me. I never really messed around with the dimmer tho. I may have to check that out.

 

Maybe it only works on full bright. Or Mazda changed it.

-Max

 

from wat ive been told before its each of the wires from the gauge go to each of the ashtray wires and it works