how to run aftermarket gauges

Here's the deal. I'm gonna build a dash. I'd like to run some autometer gauges in it. The problem I have is how to wire them up. I still have the stock engine with all the stock wiring. Is it possible to get an adapter made that would plug into the factory harness, and have leads to run individual gauges. It may sound like a dumb question but wiring and I don't get along too well. LOL

If you know of someone that can do it. Let me know.

L8888r

need to know what you are puttin the gauges in.
and also what type of gauges your goin to run, as in electric or mechanical. mechanical gauges have nothing to do with wiring (excpet forlighting) and electric gauges need to hook up with your electrical..

it would be easier for you to run electric gauges then you dont have to switch your engine and trans because on most newer stuff your speedo is by wire not by cable so with that said to hook them up i would go to a shop and ask them to print out the wiring schematic(sp) for the gauge cluster and then just put the right wire to the correct gauge

Originally posted by lowdyme



it would be easier for you to run electric gauges then you dont have to switch your engine and trans because on most newer stuff your speedo is by wire not by cable so with that said to hook them up i would go to a shop and ask them to print out the wiring schematic(sp) for the gauge cluster and then just put the right wire to the correct gauge

Yeah, I figured I need to use electronic gauges. I wonder if a dealer would give up a cluster wiring diagram. If it just pulling wires and connecting them to the gauge, it shouldn't be that big a deal.

It seems like its rare to see late model trucks with after market gauges. It seems there always in a non computerized engine. So i figured it must be a pain in the ass to ditch the factory cluster in a late model. Oh, I got a 97 Sonoma with a 4.3 Kinda forgot to add that in the first post.

if your gonna run electrical gauges, you might have to do something with the computer. b/c if i just unplug my gauge cluster my truck won't even turn over. i think it has to do with the check engine light.

if thats the case, just pull the bulbs out of the stock gauge cluster, and hide it under the dash. then run a parallel gauge for the aftermarket. it wont have anything to do with the stock gauges except that it will share a sending unit. a few things may require aftermarket sending units, but autometer should have all that kind of stuff. not a big deal though. good luck.

Edited: 1/28/2007 5:53:04 PM by Pa Pa Dragger

Edited: 1/28/2007 5:51:52 PM by Pa Pa Dragger

Any of your repair manuals have the gauge cluster wiring schematic in it. $15.00 or so at the auto parts store. All your gauges will just be a plug and play once you locate the wire for that gauge. Use the light wire that lit your factory guage to light the new. The only wire that you will have to continue past your gauge is the speedo. It usually uses this wire from your speed sensor to the factory speedo and then to your ECM. I have all elctronic Auto Meter gauges in my computer controlled truck and on their electronic speedo you go through the new speedo and back out to the ECM. Good Luck

yes... check your schematics in the manual. My truck, an 88 fullsize, in stock form sends a VSS signal to the speedo, then it gets sent to the ECM as mentioned above. You need to make sure that the signal from the aftermarket speedo is the same as the factory one in order for your motor to run correctly.

One solution is to get a box that sends an unmolestered signal to the ECM and then an adjustable VSS signal to the speedometer. Chevy did this via a DRAC unit in certain years, but there are plenty of companies out there making similar products.

Rabbit, I didn't see that was you. Hey, when you get your schematic for your factory cluster call me and I will let ya know how I did mine. Kind of lengthy to write up here.

Have all Auto Meter electric gauges