Can someone tell me where I can find the tach signal wire to install a shift light in my z?

Thanks!
vnt

 

I just installed a raptor light a couple weeks ago. I went by a write up I either found on here or the other zo6 site...can't remember. Anyway, if you remove the panel under the steering wheel (I didn't disconnect the temp sensor wire or the trunk release, just let it hang by them). When you get that dropped down look on the far left edge for a small group of wires that have foam around them with black tape grouping them together. That group is the gauge cluster set. There is a pink wire in there that I tapped into for the hot lead. I used a bolt by there that went into the framing under the steering column, removed it and ran a ring under the bolt for the ground wire. The signal wire is the tricky part...there are 4 white wires in that group for the gauge cluster. They are not labeled...however 1 is a tad larger and this is NOT one to use. There are 3 smaller gauge wires left, and one of them is the tach signal lead. Set your shiftlight on a low RPM, take a guess at these leads and splice into them one at a time (cut away some insulation to show the wire), turn on the car and rev the motor to the set 'shiftpoint'. When it lights up you'll know you got the right one. Took me having to go through them twice to find it...make sure you pull enough insulation to get a good connection! This would have saved me time on it. The whole install should take you about 45 mins to an hour. Good luck!

 

Any chance you can post a picture of where you mounted the shift light? I'd like to install one but a little reluctant to put holes in things.

Thanks.

 

This isn't my car, but I saw this and mounted mine in the same spot using some 3M double sided emblem adhesive tape. Just cut a small square of the stuff and stick it to the bottom of the light mount. Held it on the steering column for about a minute to make sure it was going to stick well. You'll have better luck with the stuff sticking when the weather is over 50 degrees out too. Make sure you mount it back far enough so the wheel doesn't hit it when it's being turned! Happened to me the first time and had to re-adhere it. The guy with the pic below posted that he used velcro on his to hold it.

 

This may not be possible, but I alway's wondered if there was a shift light that you could install in the hole that shows bright lights. I really don't need a light to tell me my brights are on, but I would like a light there to show me when to shift.

 

Good write up without pictures

 

Here is my install on my 03.

I had my Raptor installed in less than 30 minutes (light mounted on pillar which pulls off very easily to run wires behind it even with bottom of factory tint line with 2 sided tape) and all the wires were in passenger footwell including taped up power pigtail. Just push the wires to pass side using a long small wooden dowl behind the console. Some people also go for the wires under the steering column panels.

This bundle is in far right upper passenger footwell in tape. Its a tight fit to splice a wire in though so be patient. You will to probe a couple white wires to find right one for tach wire (I got it on 2nd white wire I tried). With key on, the tach will jump when you hit the right one with a test light.


The power/ground pigtail is not in all years though(quit in 04), but drop the module down (it clips in and swings down on hinges) in passenger left footwell and have a look if its there or not.

 

Tip of the Day: A good way to 'PROBE' for the signal is to use a sewing pin.

 

I was planning on installing the shift lite in the center a/c vent. Any thoughts? Where have you guys mounted yours, besides the pillar and by the cluster? I wanted to do a stealth install!

 

I went with pillar install right at eye level. If its bright out I want it flashing right towards my eye.

 

I asked the same question several weeks back about mounting the shift light in the ceter ac vent - didn't get a whole lot of responses regarding this install except for those saying how difficult of an install it would be. The ac vent on the driver door would be much easier to install the light in, but is out of your eye sight line. I wound up putting mine in the top corner against the pillar with some velcro - it's hardly noticable and right at eye level.

If you do the ac vent install, be sure to post pics.

 

I don't understand why it would be so difficult to install, all you have to do is pop the vent out? I'll take pixs for you bro!

 

Looks great & It's not In the way of the guages like some of them are!
I should get one of those~thanks for posting the pic

 

It's going to be hard to see the speedo needle once you get past 200mph!