BC_Garage

I've already searched and have tried multiple things and I cannot get the gauges to light up on our 00' EK.

I've tried using a different dimmer switch, I've checked all the bulbs. I have even removed the gauges and put them into our EJ8 and they light up fine. Ive wiggled all the wiring around and I still cant get the gauges to light up.

I checked the fuse for instrument lights under the dash and it was blown but i put a new one and still no light up. The weird thing is when i remove that fuse its blown again. At first i thought i was gripping it to hard but i dont think it would break because i tried squeezing one and nothing happened. Would there be something that would be causing that fuse to blow. I used the right number fuse and everything.

Please help, thanks.

virgineg6

a short to gnd would cause the fuse to blow inspect all wiring to to cluster for breaks or tears then shoot the wires with a multimeter

NVturbo

I would start off by inspecting the wires that plug into the cluster. My guess is that one of the power wires (there's several) is being pinched. Try plugging the cluster and leaving it on the steering column. If that works then you have a pinched wire when you are pushing the cluster into the cavity of the dash.

BC_Garage

Could the ground have gotten messed up when installing and wiring an aftermarket stereo? Im pretty sure the fuse is blowing and it is a ground but I dont know where the ground would be located. Wiring is not my specialty

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Don't see how. Unless a hack job was done.

BC_Garage

how would i go about looking for the grounds? is it bolted to the chassis somewhere behind the gauges like how the engine wiring harness grounds to the block? or is it a wire that would have been messed up?

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Were the gauges working BEFORE the stereo install?

BC_Garage

Yes they were working before I installed the stereo. I cant remember if the gauges wen out immediatley afterwards or if it took a day or two. But i know for a fact that they went out afterwards and i know for a fact that the instrument lights fuse keeps blowing everytime I put it in and flip the headlights on

NVturbo

^^^ that's symptoms of a loose ground. Make sure the ground is connected cleanly to a grounding point. I had a similar issue when wiring up my foglights.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

So I'm guessing you hacked up a bunch of wires instead of getting a proper aftermarket installation harness? You have a short somewhere. You need to track it down.

BC_Garage

No actually we bought the installation harness and did it the right way.

Will I be able to see the grounding points if i pull the gauges out?

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

I have never had an issue with grounding problems when using a harness. Check teh harness ground wires. As a matter of fact check all the splices made in the harness.

BC_Garage

I used an installation harness when installing the stereo. I didnt touch the main harness. Would bad wiring in the installation harness cause a problem with the gauge lights??

BC_Garage

My question is can wiring up the stereo with an installation harness cause problems with gauges not light up if done wrong?

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

I have used harnesses for years and NEVER interfered with anything else. I'm guessing in all these months you haven't checked the grounds or anything else?

BC_Garage

^^haven't got around to it. Where are the ground located that I should be checking?

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

How would I know? If you used a real harness this would not be an issue. The ground would have taken care of itself by the harness. I have no idea what you've done to affect the gauge lights. They shouldn't even have been touched.

BC_Garage

^^How many times do I have to explain that I used the correct harness. I bought the dash harness just like I've done plenty of times. I am asking where do I check grounds for the gauges?

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Wherever you spliced into wires. And I'm telling YOU in the 15+ years I've used these harnesses I've never had any grounding or shorting issues. So it has to be in the way you did the install. And since no one but YOU knows what you did you need to go back and retrace all your steps and double check your work.

BC_Garage

Okay so then from what your saying it is possible to cause a problem with the gauges from installing the stereo wrong? stereo lights up fine

Frozen E

Unplug your aftermarket stereo adapter harness, leaving all the stereo stuff unplugged. Hell, put the stock (or whatever you had in there before) back in if you want. Replace the fuse for the dash lights and see if they stay working. If they do, there's no need to go digging around behind your cluster for a loose ground or anything. The issue will obviously be with your stereo install. Now it's up to you to figure out if it's the harness or the deck.

If your stereo is taking out your dash lights though, I'd wager to guess that you wired something funky into the wire labeled "dimmer" on your adapter harness. Maybe you forgot to cap off that wire and it's grounding out. Make sure all your unused wires are properly capped off. A good habit to get into.

Anyway, that's my $.02 without insulting your intelligence.

Frozen E

Stereo works off the constant 12V (memory), switched 12V and a ground wire. The lights on the stereo have nothing to do with your dash lights.

BC_Garage

Thanks thats the answer Im looking for. wiring is not my specialty thanks bro

Frozen E

No problem. Let us know what you found. Even if it's something stupid. Been there, done that.

BC_Garage

So I removed the stereo finally and put a new fuse and the gauges light up now and the fuse stopped blowing. Bought some heatshrink connectors and rewired the back of the stereo to the adapter kit harness and plugged it into the stock harness and the fuse blew again?

I know i wired it correctly this time could it be the actual adapter harness is bad?