black_widow87 Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Right guys bare with me as im abit of a noob when it come to electrics. Basically i decided to move some aftermarket gauges to a different position but in the process i had to extend a few of the wires so they would reach. Started it all up to check it all worked only to find that all gauges worked except from the backlight on all of them. Didnt have time to look into it so headed to work, 15 mins later the stereo shuts down, nearside headlight, rear lights and so do the gauges. Checked fuse box under drivers footwell and found 2 fuses had blown. All wires are unexposed so cant see anything shorting. Any ideas? Jake Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra Gaz Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Wrong type of wire used? Poor connection between the extensions that are not sealed properly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_widow87 Posted April 12, 2013 Author Share Posted April 12, 2013 Wrong type of wire used? Poor connection between the extensions that are not sealed properly? I did use speaker wire, would that be my problem? I double checked all connection and they are definitely sealed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
listy Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 I did use speaker wire, would that be my problem? I double checked all connection and they are definitely sealed. That's possibly your problem right there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellonman Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 agreed speaker wire is not the best wire to use you need something a little more meaty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suprasurrey Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 I agree that speaker wire is not the best for this application, but it should handle the current draw for a couple of gauges. I`d be looking for places where the cables could have been cut or crushed when things were put back together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supra Gaz Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 As above, pop into Malpins mate, they will have what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellonman Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 just to add you did insulate your conections didnt you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev.O Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Sounds like the issue could be with the illumination cable. This comes from the side lights and powers the rear lights as well as energises the headlight relay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev.O Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Which fuses are blow out of interest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_widow87 Posted April 12, 2013 Author Share Posted April 12, 2013 just to add you did insulate your conections didnt you Im gonna be honest, no i didnt. School boy error!lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_widow87 Posted April 12, 2013 Author Share Posted April 12, 2013 Sounds like the issue could be with the illumination cable. This comes from the side lights and powers the rear lights as well as energises the headlight relay. Thing is i havnt touched any other wires except for those to the gauges. Both 'rad'and 'rear' fuses located in drivers footwell went. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev.O Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 The rad fuse does feed the integration relay. Most gauges have an illumination wire the allows the gauges to light up (or in the case of the defi dull down) when the lights are turned on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_widow87 Posted April 12, 2013 Author Share Posted April 12, 2013 (edited) The rad fuse does feed the integration relay. Most gauges have an illumination wire the allows the gauges to light up (or in the case of the defi dull down) when the lights are turned on. Hmmm, so that will be why my gauges didn't illuminate after i wired them? Would my un-insulated wiring have caused that fuse to blow? Edited April 12, 2013 by black_widow87 asking stupid question... (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 You must must must insulate your joins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev.O Posted April 12, 2013 Share Posted April 12, 2013 Hmmm, so that will be why my gauges didn't illuminate after i wired them? Would my un-insulated wiring have caused that fuse to blow? Indeed. You'll need to go back over what you have done using proper wire and insulate every connection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
black_widow87 Posted April 13, 2013 Author Share Posted April 13, 2013 UPDATE: All sorted now guys, my shoddy wiring was to blame.lol Kept the speaker cable in the end as it was practically identical thickness to rest rest wiring, now works like a dream! cheers for the help guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev.O Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 Glad it's all sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mellonman Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 Glad it was something simple, and what do I win Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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