Help wiring Gauge(power supply)

I'm just going to come out and say it straight. I suck!!! I used to think I was a decent mechanic but I'm just a "part changer". My HD wrenching was over 20 years ago so technology has passed me by I guess.

I'm trying to hook up a simple boost gauge. Found a beautiful place to run into the cab and everything. I was even going to post about it. But I can't find any power supply. Never mind a light supply. I had off the D-side kick panel and the HVAC cluster. EVERY wire I touch with my test light is dead!!!! I know there is juice in the HVAC panel but I can't find it for some reason.
Can someone tell me where I can find a hot wire and a lighting wire in either of those locations? Like which plug and which color. Or if no good what location should I be tapping from? Right now a have a mess on my hands. I have it "temp" set up and it is gross. I don't know why I can't figure out something this simple. Are these systems some type of reverse ground set up or something??(which if it is I don't know what that means)

I just suck men. Sorry to have to ask you guys for info on everything I do. I have searched and searched to no avail. 2014 Tacoma by the way. Not that it matters I'm sure.


Sorry and thanks in advance.

P.S. I did find one thing!!! I found a ground!!!! What a genius I am.

 

You did have the key in the on position right?

 

+1. You want a 'key on' circuit, not a constant.

 

Yes. And made sure my test light was grounded. Tested with fuses in box. And that's what I was looking for. Switched power. Which requires key on and off. I'm not that bad. I tried for hours.

 

What about an add-a-fuse into the in cab fuse box? Easiest way without splicing in to anything

 

Actually just went and got one. But still need light. A light that's hook to dimmer somewhere. I was just hoping both were in one spot. All the accessories in TW I would think someone found a nice power and light tap location. And that moron me just can't find them or that my test light is too big to get into the plugs to get a reading. I don't want to poke holes in a hundred wires(themselves) with the pointer to find them. I would think going in the plug connections would suffice.

 

As for the key on circuit I would use an add a fuse on the IG1 No2 Fuse.

As for the illumination the green wire from the dimmer rheostat is the illumination + and the Green with White Stripe is the illumination -.

 

Where is that located Jim? I am going to do the add a circuit. But where is that rheostat?
Being the HVAC panel?

And thanks by the way.

 

I wasn't able to find an add a fuse for the itty bitty micro fuses. Where did you find them?

 

Oh crap. Maybe I'm not all set then. I bought one that says for ATM(I think). Haven't tried yet. I gave up for day. But maybe mine won't work.

It was a smaller of two though. It said mini on the box. I work on vehicle at my work place and everything is there now. Got at autozone.

 

Behind hvac panel is dimmer wires. Toyota used a variable ground so keep that in mind when you make your connections

 

Everything in the interior fuse box is "micro" sized so your "mini" add a fuse won't work

 

I saw someone the other week make a comment that the larger ones do fit or some shit, but I swear last time I tried it was no dice. The micro APS type add-a-fuse can be bought on Amazon, but I have never seen one locally.

$8 Lumision ADD CIRCUIT BLADE STYLE ATT LOW PROFILE LP MINI FUSETAP FUSE TAP + 5AMP FUSE

http://www.amazon.com/Lumision-Ship..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=1V2Z2NG4Y0Q9AKC9TPPC

As for dash power source OP, what about the shift indicator lamp...easy as hell to remove center console cover around the shifter and get to the wires. I am about to tap that location for my ignition ring.

 

Time to buy a multimeter and retire the test light.

 

This is correct regarding the illumination. You will find this wire combo hooked up to anything that dims off of your dimmer switch.

Also the fuses on the second gen are ATM mini low profile. You can get away with using an ATM mini add a fuse if you can't find the low profile style, but if you do that then the fuses you put in the add a fuse will have to be ATM mini rather than the low profile variant that our trucks have.

 

So a mini add a fuse will work if I can find one? Is that what I'm hearing? My wiring is so ghetto right now it makes me feel bad

 

A "ATM Mini add a fuse" will work. A "ATM Mini Low Profile add a fuse" will be perfectly matched up to the existing fuses. Both will work though but I'd use the low profile if you can get your hands on one.

 

Here is an ATM mini


And an ATM mini low profile


I use the low profile ones with the kits I sell since they are an exact match to our fuses. I know the ATM mini also works though and many people on here have used those too.

 

Ugggg, where can I find those local?

 

And why the hell doesn't radio shack exist anymore!?