Connecting Lighting for Accessory Gauges

[earlymopar]

I'm hoping to get some feedback on an electrical problem I encountered on my 65 Dodge. I added a set of aftermarket gauges (Oil pressure, Voltage, Water temp and a column mounted tach). All are working fine so I decided to go ahead and connect the lighting for each gauge. I checked the OEM fuse box and found one location that lighted my test light when I pulled the headlight switch. I pulled the fuse and added a fuse tap at that location. I had a problem when removing the fuse in that the fuse was at an angle (one end was out of the holder, the other end was still in the holder) so I quickly grabbed a small tool to lift the free end a little further up so I could grab it with my fingers. The problem is that the small tool had a metal end and I had not disconnected the battery so I got a small arc for a split second. I disconnected the battery and removed the fuse and finished my wiring with the fuse tap. I re-connected the battery and noticed all of the gauges were already lit (without pulling on the headlight switch). In other words, the headlight fuse has power on both ends without the headlight switch being pulled out. The headlights still work correctly so I'm not sure if I:

- shorted something with the arcing problem or
- mis-read the probe of the fuse initially (is a headlight fuse constant power or not?)

I guess the last question, is there a better place to connect accessory lighting so that they come on with the headlights and so that the interior light rheostat can increase or decrease brightness of the gauge lighting.

Thanks much,

- EM

 

[snakeoil24]

You shorted the b2 in headlight switch and or fused the reset in the switch...

 

[mopar 3 B]

You also need to pull the fuse to check which end the power flows into. Your added gauges may not even be fused.

 

[earlymopar]

You shorted the b2 in headlight switch and or fused the reset in the switch...

Thanks for your reply. I have no idea what a B2 is. Is this easily accessible and replaceable? Where is the switch reset located?

- EM

 

[earlymopar]

You also need to pull the fuse to check which end the power flows into. Your added gauges may not even be fused.

Yes. I did that earlier thanks.

- EM

 

[snakeoil24]

Thanks for your reply. I have no idea what a B2 is. Is this easily accessible and replaceable? Where is the switch reset located?

- EM

Located inside switch. Replace switch. B2 is the pole in switch that fires what your using.. Should be a pink wire going to the switch..

 

[earlymopar]

Located inside switch. Replace switch. B2 is the pole in switch that fires what your using.. Should be a pink wire going to the switch..

Thanks. That's what I thought you would say. What is the best / easiest location to get a replacement switch?
- EM

 

[snakeoil24]

Rock auto 13.00

 

[earlymopar]

Rock auto 13.00

thanks. I looked there as well right after I asked the question. I just wasn't aware if anyone would have a replacement. Even with the switch replaced, I began to think that the location I placed the fuse tap isn't going to allow me to use the dimmer to control the gauge light brightness after all. I'm not sure what others do but I could splice into the dimmer wire right off of the headlight switch while I'm replacing the switch. - EM