Disable dimmer in dash clock?

4649 Views 21 Replies 12 Participants Last post by ak88, Oct 23, 2008

TheGSRGuy

Discussion Starter · Jun 9, 2002

Anyone know how to disable the dimmer in the dash clock? I hate how it gets dim, esp when I drive in twilight with only the running lights on.

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

MorningZ

· #2 · Jun 9, 2002

you'll have to pop out the clock... take the wire that is the dimmer (Red w/ Black stripe if i am not mistaken) , cut it, and wire from there to the other side of the dimmer switch, the side w/o dimming

If this sounds confusing, it is sorta.. regardless, whether you know what you are doing or not, testing the wires is an absolute must as you run the risk of smoking the dimmer switch

TheGSRGuy

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 9, 2002

Thanks!

ImportObsession

· #4 · Feb 18, 2003

this is gonna sound stupid, but what if you don't re-wire the dimmer wire... no illumination? I just installed an amber clock I bought on e-bay. Looks great, but too dim in day time (I drive with parking lights on).

if it is a must that I wire from where I cut the clock harness, to behind the dimmer switch, what is the best way to run this wire?!

oh yea, lastly... "testing" the wire? I'm no electrician, and I've been lucky and installed numerous car stereos, amps, subs, components... as well as did customs on my alarm system (door leds) and hard wired my radar detector to the fuse box with female adaptors and grouding where I can find good locations. what do you mean by testing this "new" wire I will run? correct guage? sorry for being so ignorant!

oh yea, and sorry for digging up the past!! gotta love the search function!

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wHyTeCoUnTrY

· #5 · Mar 6, 2006

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MorningZ

· #6 · Mar 6, 2006

If you didn't understand my explaination, then I wouldn't recommend scewing around with OEM wiring

wHyTeCoUnTrY

· #7 · Mar 6, 2006

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kelly

· #8 · Mar 7, 2006

If you simply cut the RED/BLK wire at the clock (insulate the part that is not connected to the clock after you cut the wire), the clock will never dim. It will still go on and off with the ignition.

12V at the RED/BLK wire is what tells the clock to dim. With this wire cut, it will never dim. There is no need to do anything more.

wHyTeCoUnTrY

· #9 · Mar 7, 2006

* Removed User *

kelly

· #10 · Mar 7, 2006

You're welcome.

If you plan on changing things, the Helms manual is worth it's weight in gold.

wHyTeCoUnTrY

· #11 · Mar 8, 2006

* Removed User *

illicitstylz

· #12 · Oct 10, 2008

kelly on Mar/06/06 said:
If you simply cut the RED/BLK wire at the clock (insulate the part that is not connected to the clock after you cut the wire),

i plan on doing this since i did the DIY amber clock, but i just need some clarification on what this user means when you have to " INSULATE THE PART THAT IS NOT CoNNECTED TO THE CLOCK AFTER YOU CUT THE WIRE "

how do you " insulate "

and will this cause any electrical problems ?

Adidasone456

· #13 · Oct 10, 2008

kelly on Mar/07/06 said:
You're welcome.

If you plan on changing things, the Helms manual is worth it's weight in gold.

And thats a pretty beefy book so its rather valuable lol

B16aRS

· #14 · Oct 10, 2008

Hes probably saying insulate so it doesnt touch something else and short itself out.

drcheap

· #15 · Oct 10, 2008

illicitstylz on Oct/10/08 said:
i plan on doing this since i did the DIY amber clock, but i just need some clarification on what this user means when you have to " INSULATE THE PART THAT IS NOT CoNNECTED TO THE CLOCK AFTER YOU CUT THE WIRE "

how do you " insulate "

and will this cause any electrical problems ?

Something tells me you shouldn't be cutting wires.

But in any case, he means to wrap some electrical tape, or put a crimp cap, or something else to keep the left over bare wire (the one that fed the "dimmed power" to the clock from touching something in your dash and shorting out.

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illicitstylz

· #16 · Oct 10, 2008

It was in my mind to just wrap electrical tape around the wires but i wasn't completely confident with it and it's always safer to ask especially when there's knowledgeable and helpful people on here.

I also know if i shorted something out, and it's on the factory harness, it'd cost a lot to replace that harness as well as the trouble it'd case.

snippy snippy to the red with black stripe wire tomorrow.

kelly

· #17 · Oct 11, 2008

I take the cut wire, bend it over into a loop, and then use heat shrink tubing over the bend, leaving some heat shrink extending beyond the cut and looped part.

I love heat shrink tubing!

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gghost

· #18 · Oct 11, 2008

illicitstylz on Oct/10/08 said:
Quote: kelly on Mar/06/06If you simply cut the RED/BLK wire at the clock (insulate the part that is not connected to the clock after you cut the wire),

i plan on doing this since i did the DIY amber clock, but i just need some clarification on what this user means when you have to " INSULATE THE PART THAT IS NOT CoNNECTED TO THE CLOCK AFTER YOU CUT THE WIRE "

how do you " insulate "

and will this cause any electrical problems ?

Any time you cut a wire on your car and do not remove it, you must insure that if it comes into contact with a metal part, electricity cannot flow and do bad things like blow fuses or destroy delicate electronics.

The easiest way to insulate a cut wire is to tak a 1/2" length of good old black electrical tape and fold it over the end of the cut wire. Then take 2" and wrap it tightly around the little piece as tight as possible. Now no current can flow.

I preferr to take the appropriate size of shrink tubing and heat shrink it into place. Doesn't work any better, just ends up with a neater job.

gghost

illicitstylz

· #19 · Oct 12, 2008

Yeah so i ended up going through with this DIY.

used electrical tape to tape up BOTH ends that were cut and made sure they were sealed off so they can't make any contact.

Will post pictures of the clock soon (= in amber that is.

illicitstylz

· #20 · Oct 17, 2008

finally uploaded the pictures

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