Installing wideband and gauge in place of clock 3amp feed

Post Sat Apr 05, 2014 8:49 am

Guys going to get the gauge and sensor wired up today in place of clock by the radio. It requires a 3amp ign feed, clean ground not radio or ign (due to noise)and headlamp on feed to dim at night. Can I pick these up behind the clock, or would you run a new feed from the fuse box? Headlamp dim I think is sorted as I think there is a back light on the clock wiring that is only active when headlamps are on.

Thanks

Post Sat Apr 05, 2014 9:38 am

There's probably a spare power feed in the Accessory socket, depending on what kit you've already got fitted:

http://www.e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/inde ... ory_Socket

then use the grey/red wires in the stereo area for your headlight-on power, and run your own ground to the nearest available grounding point.

Post Sat Apr 05, 2014 10:41 am

Wiring for the existing clock should be fine exactly as it comes.
Existing fusing is close enough, brown is earth, grey/red is a light feed, and green/red is the ignition switched live.

Post Sat Apr 05, 2014 4:32 pm

cheers guys will still get the meter out as it is a 333i from SA

Post Sun Apr 06, 2014 9:35 am

Got it all wired up no probs. On my car purple is switched ign, brown gnd and for some reason my clock light is always on. One wire went to .5 of a volt when lights are on but this would not operate the dimmer circuit. Managed to pick up a light feed from the cigar lighter area.

Routing of the cable for the sensor was not too bad. Case of taking out the glove compartment and there was a grommet that is under the fuse box. Couldn't complete the job as there was a sparkplug in the current boss that has been there for many years and couldn't get that out, tried heating and also mole grips but can't get it to budge

Think I will have to take it somewhere and get it burnt out or spark eroded.

Post Sun Apr 06, 2014 9:47 am

Brianmoooore wrote: green/red is the ignition switched live.

Looks like the effects of the Friday night pre wedding wine tasting/selection hadn't quite worn off!
Green/red is indeed an ignition switched live, but doesn't actually go to the clock plug. The wire to the plug is Red/green, which is a permanent live. Purple is the accessories switched live, which gets powered at the first ignition switch position.
It looks like you tried to connect to the brown/white for the light feed, not the grey/red.