M1-ATX Pictures of wiring....

MikeyTampa · 07-19-2005, 04:12 PM

Has anyone done a DIY with real pictures on how to wire an M1-ATX. I am not good at reading wiring diagrams, I need pictures, so if anyone has set one up then it would be very helpful. My biggest thing is how the heck do you tap an ignition wire and how do you use a fuse box? Sorry don't know electronics at all.

WiCKeD 5.9L · 07-29-2005, 01:43 PM

edikp · 07-29-2005, 02:19 PM

Taking real pictures of wiring is not only tedious but also impractical. Every car and installer has different setup.

In order to help you to answer the question, though; you're having problem taping to the ignition? Or, having problem finding the ignition?

Moneyfink · 07-29-2005, 02:30 PM

the thing people have trouble with is the ACC or ignition line with the m1-atx. here is a pic of how to do it:

This is on J-body car I found the pic like 4 minutes after reading your post. You pick a fuse that controls something that can only be turned on if your car is on. I used the windshield wipers. That is tapped into the fuse... the way that i did mine was to wrap the wire around one post of the fuse, then jam it into the fusepanel real tight.

The other two line go straight to the battery, there should be a rubbery thing that you can put a hole through to send wire from the cabin to the engine. Also some people use the car chasis as a ground point. In a few days I will be posting picutres of a few more steps of my carputer and you will see what I am talking about

techeros · 07-29-2005, 02:38 PM

Quote:

The other two line go straight to the battery, there should be a rubbery thing that you can put a hole through to send wire from the cabin to the engine.

are you refering to this?
http://www.t3tundra.nighttek.com/polk_install/MVC_754F

Moneyfink · 07-29-2005, 02:39 PM

yeah, but on my car its bigger....

techeros · 07-29-2005, 02:48 PM

oh you mus be taking about goin through the stearing column rubber boot

Moneyfink · 07-29-2005, 03:10 PM

yarrrrgggg----- thats pirate for "yes"

techeros · 07-30-2005, 10:12 AM

rrrrrrrr - thats pirate as well for "Running through the rubber boot is better than having to drill and buy rubber gromets."

Jono · 08-01-2005, 07:33 AM

No offence, but that fuse box method is rather dodgy. You'd be better off testing what wire behind the ignition switch has ACC power and then soldering a wire to that.

Oh, and make sure you USE FUSES IN POWER WIRING.

Moneyfink · 08-01-2005, 07:59 AM

yeah, i know it was kinda shady to do it that way, but i've got much bigger concerns right now with my car computer. So im just go do it right after i get it working.

There was no attitude intended in the above statement. I was just admitting that you were right and saying it is something that i had intended to fix in the future. I guess I shouldn't tell people to do it that way, If I don't even plan on keeping it that way

wallaceacura · 08-01-2005, 12:52 PM

I think the easiest was it to go to the auto store and get an "add-a-fuse". It's basically a double fuse holder that plugs into an existing fuse and adds an additonal line. Comes prewired with an assortment of fuses. I just don't like the idea of cutting into perfectly good wiring. I've done it twice and it works great. Plus it's reversible.

techeros · 08-01-2005, 12:55 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by wallaceacura

I think the easiest was it to go to the auto store and get an "add-a-fuse". It's basically a double fuse holder that plugs into an existing fuse and adds an additonal line. Comes prewired with an assortment of fuses. I just don't like the idea of cutting into perfectly good wiring. I've done it twice and it works great. Plus it's reversible.

hate to ask but you got a pic? I think I know what your talking about... kinda like a piggyback?

Jono · 08-01-2005, 09:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Moneyfink

yeah, i know it was kinda shady to do it that way, but i've got much bigger concerns right now with my car computer. So im just go do it right after i get it working.

There was no attitude intended in the above statement. I was just admitting that you were right and saying it is something that i had intended to fix in the future. I guess I shouldn't tell people to do it that way, If I don't even plan on keeping it that way

Hey, fair enough. I would probably do the same thing just to 'mock up' a computer setup for testing. Like you said, I wouldn't recommend it to other people as 'the way to do it'.

Quote:

I just don't like the idea of cutting into perfectly good wiring.

If you don't like the idea of cutting into wiring, you should take a serious look at some of the things people have done on the site. I'd class tapping into wires to be one of the most mundane and essential things to do when modifying or adding any electrical systems at all to your car. Do it properly. You can always desolder the wire and tape it up if you want to remove it at any point.

wallaceacura · 08-02-2005, 03:09 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by techeros

hate to ask but you got a pic? I think I know what your talking about... kinda like a piggyback?

This is like the one I uses. I bought mine at Advance Auto Parts for $7. http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showd...number=071-580

Quote: Originally Posted by jono

If you don't like the idea of cutting into wiring, you should take a serious look at some of the things people have done on the site. I'd class tapping into wires to be one of the most mundane and essential things to do when modifying or adding any electrical systems at all to your car. Do it properly. You can always desolder the wire and tape it up if you want to remove it at any point.

Why? Why should other's projects necessarily shape the way my project turns out? Why go the trouble and potential risk or damaging a perfectly good wiring harness, not to mention warranty on some cars, when a $7 part does the exact same thing and is 100% reversible? If you don't plan on keeping a car forever, it's nice to have the option to bring the car back to 100% stock. I haven't drilled one hole or spliced into one harness yet. I've used existing grommets, parts like the add-a-circuit and a little creativity to accomplish the same thing.

I can assure you my wiring and soldering skills are up to the task. Sometimes the most "unrefined" solution is the most elegant.