Noob question; Installing intellitronix digital gauge, (tw: LOTS OF DUMB QUESTIONS)
I have scoured this forum and have read the thread about that one dude who installed it. However, I do not know wtf I am doing and is unclear with some steps.
I have the wiring diagram in hand, but the instructions intellitronix provided is not very clear, also I do not have a lot of experience in electrical stuff and cars in general so I only sort of get it, can someone please explain this barney style?;
1."Ground – Black--This is the main ground for the display system. A wire should be run from this board to the vehicle engine block for the best ground. Use 18 AWG or larger wire to ensure sufficient grounding. Proper vehicle grounding is extremely important for any gauges (or electronics) to operate correctly. The engine block should have heavy ground cables to the battery, frame, and firewall. Failure to properly ground the engine block, senders, or digital dash can cause incorrect or erratic operation."
-So am I understanding this right, am I supposed to connect the black wire directly to the engine? How?
2. Additionally there is a youtube video of a gentleman who installed this gauge and he mentioned that he taped these two black and red wires together (pictured in mess.JPG, encircled in green).... I have a feeling that this maybe what black and red wires are supposed to connect to? For context I was not able to start the car until I taped those together.
3. "Power – Pink--Connect the power terminal to accessory +12V power from the fuse panel or vehicle wiring harness. Using a 5-amp fuse or an inline 5-amp fuse holder. This terminal should have power when the key is on or in accessory position. Use 18 AWG wire to ensure the system receives a sufficient power feed. Use 18 AWG wire to ensure the system receives a sufficient power feed."
Ok so I saw this diagram attached (but its for a 71 dart) I was poking around at the column and noticed that the previous owner have used a vampire/dracula clip to connect the radio to the battery. It was the red wire, so based on this diagram I connected intellitronix's pink wire to the black wire. It was a wild guess, I just assumed that the diagram pertains to the wires I was looking at based on the color schemes and because of the splice he made to power his radio.
4. "Dimmer –Purple Connect to the parking lights to dim the LEDs 50% when the headlights are on. However,*DO NOT * connect to the headlight rheostat control wire, or the dimming feature will not work properlyand may cause damage to Unit"
Am I supposed to cut the purple wire from the pin connector to intellitronix's purple wire? Am I supposed to do that for the rest of the colors? The pin connectors have the same colors as the intellitronix wires, so I am assuming its for that?
5. My oil sender size is wrong so while I am waiting I decided to go ahead with the project and just hook up the sender when it gets here. That said my wires are just hanging out like so (IMG-3340.jpg) but will be connected to the gauge. Is this ok? Or connect them together? Leave them alone?
Please excuse the wire color that I used, I used what wires I have in hand.
6. Also can anybody tell me the brand of this steering wheel? Its the same brand as the speakers.
Thank you all so much in advanced! This thing is kicking my ***...
I have scoured this forum and have read the thread about that one dude who installed it. However, I do not know wtf I am doing and is unclear with some steps.
I have the wiring diagram in hand, but the instructions intellitronix provided is not very clear, also I do not have a lot of experience in electrical stuff and cars in general so I only sort of get it, can someone please explain this barney style?;
1."Ground – Black--This is the main ground for the display system. A wire should be run from this board to the vehicle engine block for the best ground. Use 18 AWG or larger wire to ensure sufficient grounding. Proper vehicle grounding is extremely important for any gauges (or electronics) to operate correctly. The engine block should have heavy ground cables to the battery, frame, and firewall. Failure to properly ground the engine block, senders, or digital dash can cause incorrect or erratic operation."
-So am I understanding this right, am I supposed to connect the black wire directly to the engine? How?
2. Additionally there is a youtube video of a gentleman who installed this gauge and he mentioned that he taped these two black and red wires together (pictured in mess.JPG, encircled in green).... I have a feeling that this maybe what black and red wires are supposed to connect to? For context I was not able to start the car until I taped those together.
3. "Power – Pink--Connect the power terminal to accessory +12V power from the fuse panel or vehicle wiring harness. Using a 5-amp fuse or an inline 5-amp fuse holder. This terminal should have power when the key is on or in accessory position. Use 18 AWG wire to ensure the system receives a sufficient power feed. Use 18 AWG wire to ensure the system receives a sufficient power feed."
Ok so I saw this diagram attached (but its for a 71 dart) I was poking around at the column and noticed that the previous owner have used a vampire/dracula clip to connect the radio to the battery. It was the red wire, so based on this diagram I connected intellitronix's pink wire to the black wire. It was a wild guess, I just assumed that the diagram pertains to the wires I was looking at based on the color schemes and because of the splice he made to power his radio.
4. "Dimmer –Purple Connect to the parking lights to dim the LEDs 50% when the headlights are on. However,*DO NOT * connect to the headlight rheostat control wire, or the dimming feature will not work properlyand may cause damage to Unit"
Am I supposed to cut the purple wire from the pin connector to intellitronix's purple wire? Am I supposed to do that for the rest of the colors? The pin connectors have the same colors as the intellitronix wires, so I am assuming its for that?
5. My oil sender size is wrong so while I am waiting I decided to go ahead with the project and just hook up the sender when it gets here. That said my wires are just hanging out like so (IMG-3340.jpg) but will be connected to the gauge. Is this ok? Or connect them together? Leave them alone?
Please excuse the wire color that I used, I used what wires I have in hand.
6. Also can anybody tell me the brand of this steering wheel? Its the same brand as the speakers.
Thank you all so much in advanced! This thing is kicking my ***...