11-05-2010, 10:35 AM
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#1
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Premier V.I.P. Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Woodbridge, VA
Posts: 1,452
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Overlay Installation
I just received my overlay from a recent partout and yes, I purchased it before completely knowing how to install it. Figure it will be a learning process...but I'm a bit baffled from the get-go.
The overlay pieces have scotch tape on the back of them and I am not sure if that is a good sign. There is the converter box with the obvious red=hot wire and black=ground wire.
Then there is the switch box coming off of the converter...with what appears to be an on/off switch and possible a dimmer roller?
I have read that grey is hot in the console and black is the ground wire. I have also heard going around through the center console and other times going around the left vent. All in all I am a bit confused-and where the heck am I supposed to put that dimming/on/off controller?
All guage installs I've only seen the flashy light and lights and just assumed they constructed the overlay to have the light shine through it in that manner. Nieve and hopeful maybe-but I did not expect this and since my alero is my daily driver I cannot afford to be installing blindly and not be able to get it back together in time.
Any chance I can get some mercy info on the installation please? If this is in fact the overlay many people have. I'm an amateur mechanic at best and much worse with electrical. But all of life is a learning experience right?
__________________
I am happy to say I have added more mods to my car than I have space to list.
Last edited by XanderWiFi : 12-01-2010 at 02:34 PM.
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11-05-2010, 11:47 AM
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#2
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Soon to be banned again
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Bellmore, NY
Posts: 3,372
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hookup the positive/negative leads on the wire to the cubby hole light (under your HVAC controls) this way when your headlights automatically go on, the gauge overlays will automatically go on.
TO REMOVE:
two 8mm screws on the top hold the thing that goes around the gauges
then 4 more 8mm screws hold the gauges into the dash board.
unplug the large connector in the top right of the gauges and remove the entire assembly.
pry open the tabs all around the gauge to open the clear case and get into the actual gauge.
put the overlays in in place over the corresponding gauge.
(you might want to use some scotch tape to get the overlays to stay in the perfect spot, because they might move around like mine did with vibrations and bumps.)
reassemble and enjoy.
__________________
I shaved my balls for this?
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11-05-2010, 11:50 AM
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#3
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636 whp
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: AZ
Posts: 11,895
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edited, gr1m beat me
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11-05-2010, 12:01 PM
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#4
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GLS member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: MA
Posts: 1,304
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7mm screws, not 8mm. but im sure you could have figured that out.
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11-05-2010, 12:02 PM
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#5
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Gone
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Lockport Ny
Posts: 19,244
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alot of people omit the dimmer completely, because if you patch into a gray wire, your in car dimmer will work too.
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11-05-2010, 02:32 PM
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#6
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OSV coming soon!!!!!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: lindsay, ontario
Posts: 2,374
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sorry to thread jack...
I have heard that some people have used actual wiring behind the gauge cluster itself, but which wires are used back there? It would be easier to keep everything behind the cluster and not have to re route all the way down to the HVAC cubby light...
Just my 2 cents, but I am hoping to get some further clarification...
__________________
Misty: 3400, S&S headers, TCE 65mm TB, CAI, 180* TStat, Milzy motor & tranny mount, 18" BOSS 328 & much more... going osv!!
Silver: 2.4L, 5 speed, GAGT seats, front & rear STB's, all red tails, led headlights, Magnaflow muffler, Milzy Motor mount, WAI, Cosmo short shifter; sold n missed
Tequila: 2.4L, GA interior swap, scrapped...
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11-05-2010, 02:37 PM
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#7
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Gone
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Lockport Ny
Posts: 19,244
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not really... you want a longer run, preferably with a disconnect, for simplicity.
if you have to remove your cluster, its already a compact area. its easier to trace a wire to a more open area and disconnect it from there, rather then fighting in a small area. IMO
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11-05-2010, 02:45 PM
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#8
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OSV coming soon!!!!!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: lindsay, ontario
Posts: 2,374
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I somewhat agree with you, but if you have to disconnect, chances are you have to remove the overlay, which means removing the cluster anyways... so why not have it all wired up back there, rather than further away with the HVAC? There is ample wire provided with the overlay to pull the cluster out far enough to get in there for wiring purposes, so why not keep it all together in the first place?
__________________
Misty: 3400, S&S headers, TCE 65mm TB, CAI, 180* TStat, Milzy motor & tranny mount, 18" BOSS 328 & much more... going osv!!
Silver: 2.4L, 5 speed, GAGT seats, front & rear STB's, all red tails, led headlights, Magnaflow muffler, Milzy Motor mount, WAI, Cosmo short shifter; sold n missed
Tequila: 2.4L, GA interior swap, scrapped...
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11-05-2010, 05:24 PM
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#9
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Gone but not forgotten
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Lancaster, CA
Posts: 1,254
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I did it like tw0123 said.....The harness that comes out the cluster in the back pretty much hangs out so its not hard to manipulate and get a good splice work going there. The wires is not hard to find just look through the bunch...but then again I work on airplanes that pretty much have no room to do anything so thats why i probably found it fairly easy =S
__________________
00' Alero Coupe - Baby is wearing: Custom CAI, Pacesetter headers, custom 2.5" exhaust, 62mm TB, MP45 s/c, B&M ShiftPlus, 6500K HID, KYB-GR2, Eibach springs, R1 Concepts drilled/slotted rotors
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11-06-2010, 12:41 AM
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#10
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Premier V.I.P. Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Woodbridge, VA
Posts: 1,452
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cherrington17
alot of people omit the dimmer completely, because if you patch into a gray wire, your in car dimmer will work too.
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I like the idea of that rather than having random switches and controls hanging about. I assume I can just let the aftermarket overlay control stay behind the overlay possibly? Like to keep things neat and clean looking.
Is this gray wire in the center console as well? Wondering how difficult it is to run wiring behind all of this? Does it look like I will have enough slack? Don't have a soldering gun either, would you recommend clips at all cherry?
Speaking of soldering guns-what is a good one that you would recommend cher?
thanks for the aid so far guys.
__________________
I am happy to say I have added more mods to my car than I have space to list.
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11-06-2010, 08:48 AM
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#11
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Gone
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Lockport Ny
Posts: 19,244
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I've used radioshack ones, for everything. They aren't the best (I think that'd be weller) but they work. 35W should do. 25 is a pain in the ass, and 45 is REALLY hot.. sometimes too hot. also, get a couple extra tips, you'll eventually need them.
If you take your cluster surround out (plastic bezel) you'll see a hole on the right side, which drops right down to the side of the center console. So you need less wire then you think.
and if your going to let the dimmer hang... put some tape on it to hold it somewhere. the tapping of that thing bouncing around would drive someone insane
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11-06-2010, 01:52 PM
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#12
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A-mod Pirate
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Big Bad Cali
Posts: 3,016
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i just cut my dimmer out... u dont need 2 on the same line
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11-06-2010, 01:56 PM
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#13
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OSV coming soon!!!!!
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: lindsay, ontario
Posts: 2,374
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alerosaint
I did it like tw0123 said.....The harness that comes out the cluster in the back pretty much hangs out so its not hard to manipulate and get a good splice work going there. The wires is not hard to find just look through the bunch...but then again I work on airplanes that pretty much have no room to do anything so thats why i probably found it fairly easy =S
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Which wires did you use (colors specifically) just to let anyone else know who wants to try this... Last time I checked there were 9 different wires going into the cluster lol...
__________________
Misty: 3400, S&S headers, TCE 65mm TB, CAI, 180* TStat, Milzy motor & tranny mount, 18" BOSS 328 & much more... going osv!!
Silver: 2.4L, 5 speed, GAGT seats, front & rear STB's, all red tails, led headlights, Magnaflow muffler, Milzy Motor mount, WAI, Cosmo short shifter; sold n missed
Tequila: 2.4L, GA interior swap, scrapped...
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11-06-2010, 07:19 PM
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#14
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GL Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Ottawa, ON. Canada
Posts: 279
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I use the dimmer control for the overlays still so i can control the brightness independantly from the needles.. the overlays can be pretty damn bright. I used scotch double sided tape (its a must)
I took apart my cluster and put tape on the backside of the overlays, went out to my car plugged in the open cluster left it on the steering column. slid a piece into place and turned on the car so I could line up the cluster lights to the overlays, once it was perfectly alligned, i pressed it down to stick. just have to turn the key off an on a few times to verify. If the lights didn't line up perfect it would of bugged me..
It makes it very easy to look perfect with the lights being on in the cluster during installation.
I also put white paper on the back over the warning light "holes" so it looks alot cleaner during the day, and the light still shine through well..
Pictures: http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31216 10th post..
__________________
You can lead fools to wisdom... but you can't make them think.
Last edited by a4d2a0m : 11-06-2010 at 07:23 PM.
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11-06-2010, 07:31 PM
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#15
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Premier V.I.P. Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Woodbridge, VA
Posts: 1,452
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Quote:
Originally Posted by a4d2a0m
I use the dimmer control for the overlays still so i can control the brightness independantly from the needles.. the overlays can be pretty damn bright. I used scotch double sided tape (its a must)
I took apart my cluster and put tape on the backside of the overlays, went out to my car plugged in the open cluster left it on the steering column. slid a piece into place and turned on the car so I could line up the cluster lights to the overlays, once it was perfectly alligned, i pressed it down to stick. just have to turn the key off an on a few times to verify. If the lights didn't line up perfect it would of bugged me..
It makes it very easy to look perfect with the lights being on in the cluster during installation.
I also put white paper on the back over the warning light "holes" so it looks alot cleaner during the day, and the light still shine through well..
Pictures: http://www.aleromod.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31216 10th post..
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When you lined the overlay up, you left the stock one in to match it better? How do you get the stock one out after lining it up? Or do you just leave it permanently?
__________________
I am happy to say I have added more mods to my car than I have space to list.
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11-06-2010, 07:48 PM
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#16
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GL Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Ottawa, ON. Canada
Posts: 279
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just leave it in.. there is no need to remove it.
__________________
You can lead fools to wisdom... but you can't make them think.
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12-29-2010, 08:30 PM
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#17
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Premier V.I.P. Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Woodbridge, VA
Posts: 1,452
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tw0123
Which wires did you use (colors specifically) just to let anyone else know who wants to try this... Last time I checked there were 9 different wires going into the cluster lol...
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bump for alerosaints input please.
And anyone know the thread title for the gauge overlay installation? Swore I saw one on here before but I can't find it now.
__________________
I am happy to say I have added more mods to my car than I have space to list.
Last edited by XanderWiFi : 12-29-2010 at 09:00 PM.
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12-29-2010, 09:29 PM
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#18
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Premier V.I.P. Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Woodbridge, VA
Posts: 1,452
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sweet. I have everything out and aligned, now the scary part for me. What is the best way to access the cubby wire harness? Also, where is a good place to attach the power box and run the extra wiring?
__________________
I am happy to say I have added more mods to my car than I have space to list.
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12-29-2010, 11:03 PM
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#19
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Premier V.I.P. Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Woodbridge, VA
Posts: 1,452
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Which of these settings do I use for car wires? Specifically the one for the overlay?
__________________
I am happy to say I have added more mods to my car than I have space to list.
Last edited by XanderWiFi : 01-27-2011 at 01:59 PM.
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12-29-2010, 11:22 PM
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#20
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GL Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Suffolk, Virgina
Posts: 609
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DC Volts. Your cars electrical system is 12V so set the switch to 20V. It will read anything from 0-20V in that mode.
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