Novice Wiring Problem

So. I just installed an alarm LED this afternoon (instead of buying the real alarm) and now my indiglos don't work on my 97 civic! I must admit, I'm no where close to being well versed in auto electronics.

I simply spliced the ignition and power wires for the LED and grounded the thing on the chasis. The LED works fine, but now my indiglos don't come on. What could have caused this?

And, my interior lights (the AC and stuff) dim significantly now when I turn on my headlights. Did I blow a fuse or am I trying to use too much power from the car? But, my CD player seems totally unaffected by this.

When I installed the LED and my indiglos (way back when), I simply tested random wires and spliced into the appropriate ones (headlights, ignition, etc. etc.). That seems kinda wrong, but it worked fine for my indiglos. And that's what I did this time.

Any help would be amazing! I'm totally lost as to what to do now.

Thanks!

what did you use to test the wires??

test light or meter?

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Good Luck
David
Ace Security
813-376-9778
Tampa
Donate to the 12volt

david,
I just used a test light. is that wrong? my method is by no means scientific -- just testing the wires to see which ones are powered when they need to be to power the item (i.e. indilgos, led, etc.). I'm going to check my fuses today to see if I've blown any thing. I just hope this isn't a bigger problem. thoughts? thanks again!

for the future always use a meter. you can get a feed back with a test kight and it could damage things. im not saying that is what happened, but might have.

disconnect the LED and see if that makes a difference.

also check your dimmer switch. you might have dimmed the lights without knowing it.



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Good Luck
David
Ace Security
813-376-9778
Tampa
Donate to the 12volt

hhh....yeh, I disconnected the power & ignition wires for the LED and the indilgos are still out. and my dimmer -- you mean the roll button that controls the light intensity of the dash and interior lights? if that's what you mean, the dimmer seems to be working fine. I checked the dimmer on the indiglos and it has no affect. I might have accidentally pulled a wire on the indiglo. Maybe. I'm going to try and rewire it tomorrow. See if I can get it to work again that way.

In your opinion, should I avoid splicing into certain wires or avoid specific things in wiring LEDs and such. B/c I plan to install some more LEDs and I don't want to mess anything else up.

Thanks again!

well always use a meter from here on out.
also try dropping Jeff a line:
https://www.velocitymotorsport.com
i know he has helped me out before.
im sure he has some advice.

its good to learn on our own sometimes, we just hope it doesnt cost us an arm and a leg to fix.

let me know what you find out.

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Good Luck
David
Ace Security
813-376-9778
Tampa
Donate to the 12volt

Were you sure it was an IGNITION wire and not one of the indiglo gauge wires  ? ust surious because if you were drawing from the worng wire, you could shorted out the control box for the indiglo gauges ? Just a thought. Trace back the wires on the indiglo gauges ( rewire if necessary ) and post your results.

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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA