burden@cheers.DEC (Dave Burden --- 381-2559) (10/25/84)
<Dinsdale............> I have recently wired in an oil pressure gauge in my car. The sending unit has two outputs, one for the idiot light and one for the gauge. The idiot light side works for sure. The gauge doesn't. But there's more to it that that. If the ignition is turned off and I flip on the parking lights all the dashboard lights come on, including the light in the oil pressure gauge. If the ignition is on the light in the gauge comes on, but not the others. If the ignition is on and the lights are turned on the light goes out in the oil pressure gauge and the others turn on. When the ignition is on and the lights are on and I turn down the dashboard lights by turning the light knob the light in the oil pressure gets brighter as the others get dimmer. What have I done? Is the light mystery independent of the gauge not working or are they symptoms of the same problem? Maybe this chart will help clarify the problem: Ign Light Switch OP Light Dashboard Lights --- ------------ -------- ---------------- OFF OFF OFF OFF OFF ON ON ON ON OFF ON OFF ON ON OFF ON ON (DIM) (BRIGHT) (DIM) Dave Burden decvax!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-hamstr!dec-cheers!burden 603-881-2559 DEC Nashua, NH
adm@cbneb.UUCP (11/01/84)
Sounds to me like you wired one side of the light to the ignition and the other side to the light switch (I.E> no ground) When the ignition is on and lights off, the meter light is getting grounded through all the other lights. With lights on, ignition off the reverse is true; Light switch provides power, ignition switch (through other wiring) provides ground. Both on puts b+ on both sides of light hence no current, no light. Good luck. ihnp4!cbnap!tel