Defi gauge problem (dimmer)
10-24-06 | 02:56 PM
#26
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From: Metairie, LA near new orleans
After rethinking 
I realized that my problem was simple...You adjust the brightness/dimmness with the controler not the car's dimmer 
.
The Defi then the dimming is controled thru the controler. In other words you can't adjust the dimming of the gauge with the car's dimmer. What u need to do is take the wire(the one that senses the lights on) and connect it to the red/black wire for the headlight squirter harness. This is the blue harness that doesn't go to anything under the shifter console cover. If you don't want to use this then use any powerwire, and only the power wire, to that is controled by the light switch. If you have the wire going to the ashtray light you are allowing the signal to go to ground and thereby pulsing...I've tested this and everything is working just perfectly!!
Just thought I should post the this update!
Marshall
I realized that my problem was simple...You adjust the brightness/dimmness with the controler not the car's dimmer . The Defi then the dimming is controled thru the controler. In other words you can't adjust the dimming of the gauge with the car's dimmer. What u need to do is take the wire(the one that senses the lights on) and connect it to the red/black wire for the headlight squirter harness. This is the blue harness that doesn't go to anything under the shifter console cover. If you don't want to use this then use any powerwire, and only the power wire, to that is controled by the light switch. If you have the wire going to the ashtray light you are allowing the signal to go to ground and thereby pulsing...I've tested this and everything is working just perfectly!!
Just thought I should post the this update!
Marshall
Last edited by nashman69g; 10-24-06 at 03:00 PM.
10-26-06 | 01:08 AM
#27
Still on 1st engine
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,176
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From: SoCal
Just for verification:
A few years ago, I took a look under the hood of my "Defi Link Control Unit I" to find that the dimmer connection has active circuitry. It doesn't pass the PWM signal directly through to the gauges. The car's PWM dimmer has to control the lights directly to work. Consider yourself lucky; the "version 1" controller doesn't even have dimming capabilities.
A few years ago, I took a look under the hood of my "Defi Link Control Unit I" to find that the dimmer connection has active circuitry. It doesn't pass the PWM signal directly through to the gauges. The car's PWM dimmer has to control the lights directly to work. Consider yourself lucky; the "version 1" controller doesn't even have dimming capabilities.
10-26-06 | 03:41 AM
#28
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 782
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From: Sonoma, CA
Originally Posted by Gen2n3
Nash,
I am about to install the D-series gauge on my FD. what part number did you use for the transistor? Did you use a 1-5K pot for the base? Do you have any pics of the board & where did you stash it? I'll PM my email addy.
I am about to install the D-series gauge on my FD. what part number did you use for the transistor? Did you use a 1-5K pot for the base? Do you have any pics of the board & where did you stash it? I'll PM my email addy.
10-26-06 | 04:25 AM
#29
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From: Sonoma, CA
I take this back. Everything works execpt the dimmer. I just checked for you... but personally have other things to fix before worrying about my gauges not dimming. 
So I guess you would need a resister as well to get the dimmer functions working correctly. Makes sense since its an LED setup as well.
So I guess you would need a resister as well to get the dimmer functions working correctly. Makes sense since its an LED setup as well.
Originally Posted by elfking
My D series gauges work fine with the stock wiring... Well I didn't hook any transisters up or anything.. just IGN, 12v, ground and illum wires..
10-26-06 | 12:49 PM
#30
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From: Metairie, LA near new orleans
Originally Posted by elfking
My D series gauges work fine with the stock wiring... Well I didn't hook any transisters up or anything.. just IGN, 12v, ground and illum wires..
10-27-06 | 08:55 AM
#31
Passenger
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I didn't use the dimmer as it explicitly tells you not to in the instructions...I wired it up to the glove compartment light as that only illuminates with the lights on and it works a treat 
Mine did what yours did and flickers like hell with the dimmer as it wants an on or off signal basically.
Mine did what yours did and flickers like hell with the dimmer as it wants an on or off signal basically.
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