Autometer Wiring Guidance

[RJLeagles2010]

Alright I have my meter and the send unit and the fittings to get the send unit in the "hot" line of the transmission. Where I need help is with the wiring for power. Is it possible to run the gauge through the fuse box inside under the dash? Can I wire the light to where they only come on with my night driving lights? :thanks: for the input. I am confident that there are some electrical folks out there that can do this with ease. If thats you please feel free to chime in.

 

[stevec5000]

Alright I have my meter and the send unit and the fittings to get the send unit in the "hot" line of the transmission. Where I need help is with the wiring for power. Is it possible to run the gauge through the fuse box inside under the dash? Can I wire the light to where they only come on with my night driving lights? :thanks: for the input. I am confident that there are some electrical folks out there that can do this with ease. If thats you please feel free to chime in.

You can take power off the ign. switch for both power and the lights or connect the lights to the dash lights if you want them controlled by the light switch. My meters have LED lights and I connected both to the ign. switch (from one of the cigarette lighter sockets) so they stay on all the time. Check the electrical diagram to find the right colored wires to connect to.

 

[RJLeagles2010]

B&M of Hayden

Thanks steve I will look into that

also since i have my temp gauge i am planning in getting a cooler to replace my stock one (pink milkshake prevention) and im stuck between these two?!?

B&M 70264 B&M SuperCooler Transmission Coolers
and
00 2000 Toyota 4Runner Hayden Auto Trans Oil Cooler 678 for - Auto Parts Network

i have heard that people get the B&M and are done but i also read that this model of Hayden is the same as the TRD tranny cooler. they are virtually the same price so the only thing is which does a better job?

 

[stevec5000]

Thanks steve I will look into that

also since i have my temp gauge i am planning in getting a cooler to replace my stock one (pink milkshake prevention) and im stuck between these two?!?

B&M 70264 B&M SuperCooler Transmission Coolers
and
00 2000 Toyota 4Runner Hayden Auto Trans Oil Cooler 678 for - Auto Parts Network

i have heard that people get the B&M and are done but i also read that this model of Hayden is the same as the TRD tranny cooler. they are
virtally the same price so the only thing is which does a better job?

The largest one will usually do the most cooling. They say the B&M SuperCooler is 11'' x 6'' but don't give the size of the Hayden 678 on autopartsnetwork but Amazon says it's 11 inch x 9-1/2 inch so the Hayden sounds better, if you have room for it and it's just $53.63.

 

[Drcoffee]

If I recall, I tapped into the clock wiring. The meter pulls very little current and you can get the light and power for the gauge from it. If your gauge has a dimmer feature, use the switched green wire to give it 12v. If not, tie both light and power to the Gray wire. I grounded it separately though, to the center console frame.

Blue = constant + for memory
Gray = switched +
Green = dimmer for light
White = ground

The wiring is right there and using tap splices makes it easy to remove if you ever needed to. The power wire is already fused in the fuse block. The sender I ran two wires. Power was fed up through the hole in the fender by the ABS unit and into the cab through a hole for the power antenna to the gauge. The sender ground, I used one of the mount bolts for the windshield wiper motor. There was an existing ground wire so I just added mine to the same bolt. Very clean and easy.

So the logical question that must be asked. Can the clock wiring handle the gauge power draw. Yes. The gauge draws less than 1A

video demo of current draw for 6 autometer gauges. Click to watch

 

[RJLeagles2010]

If I recall, I tapped into the clock wiring. The meter pulls very little current and you can get the light and power for the gauge from it. If your gauge has a dimmer feature, use the switched green wire to give it 12v. If not, tie both light and power to the Gray wire. I grounded it separately though, to the center console frame.

Blue = constant + for memory
Gray = switched +
Green = dimmer for light
White = ground

The wiring is right there and using tap splices makes it easy to remove if you ever needed to. The power wire is already fused in the fuse block. The sender I ran two wires. Power was fed up through the hole in the fender by the ABS unit and into the cab through a hole for the power antenna to the gauge. The sender ground, I used one of the mount bolts for the windshield wiper motor. There was an existing ground wire so I just added mine to the same bolt. Very clean and easy.

So the logical question that must be asked. Can the clock wiring handle the gauge power draw. Yes. The gauge draws less than 1A

video demo of current draw for 6 autometer gauges. Click to watch

As for The little light in the gauge, where/would it be possible to get power from the dash lights since I will only need the light when it is dark? If so where do I look for that. If it helps I have a 2000 T4R limited.

 

[Drcoffee]

As for The little light in the gauge, where/would it be possible to get power from the dash lights since I will only need the light when it is dark? If so where do I look for that. If it helps I have a 2000 T4R limited.

You can tap into the headlight wires but to be honest with you, if you put it down on the center console like mine, its dark down there all the time. Mine has the light on constantly. When the clock is on, so is my gauge and gauge light. It makes it much easier to read all times of the day.
Edit: i meant headlight fuse not wire. Using an "add a circuit" on the headlight slot would power your gauge light with headlights.

 

[RJLeagles2010]

You can tap into the headlight wires but to be honest with you, if you put it down on the center console like mine, its dark down there all the time. Mine has the light on constantly. When the clock is on, so is my gauge and gauge light. It makes it much easier to read all times of the day.
Edit: i meant headlight fuse not wire. Using an "add a circuit" on the headlight slot would power your gauge light with headlights.

so if i go that route then what wire do i need to use since that clock dosent work anyway?

 

[Drcoffee]

so if i go that route then what wire do i need to use since that clock dosent work anyway?

Blue = constant + for memory
Gray = switched +
Green = dimmer for light
White = ground

GRAY

If the clock isnt working, then just disconnect the clock and use the white for ground. I just don't like sharing ground wires.