I am in the process of installing gauges in my '03 MCS and am one wire short of getting it done. I need a switched +12V source for my oil pressure gauge. Does anybody know what wire under the dash is +12V. i am kind of leary of probing for it because I do not want to fry something.

Thanks

 

I got a piggy-back fuse for my radar detector and have switched power from the fuse box by the driver's knee for that (can't remember which one, look in the manual for a good one). For my gauge install I just tapped into that line. That will give me 12v switched power. One of my gauges only needs power for the light - I tapped into the switched power and I'll live with it for awhile to see if the brightness of the buld is OK. If the buld is too bright then there is a grey and pink wire running to the tach that will dim with the rheostat for the instrument lights.

 

I tied into the radio for the gauge power and the illumination. Doing it this way makes the gauge illumination change with the dash. Here is a wiring diagram for the radio I found:

http://www.96k.com/mini/stereo/MINI_HU_pinout.gif

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks for the info. I think I will do the fuse tap thing. It will definately be the cleanest install method.

 

I tapped into the passenger-side seat heater.

 

The wires to the cigarette lighter are easy to get to. Especially useful for something that is to be mounted underneath the dash switch panel. Good for 10 amps if you don't use the lighter.

Tom