Dimmer switch compatibility and price

ECU, Wiring, Sensors
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Dimmer switch compatibility and price

By ShEfA
- Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:00 pm #150377 Hi, I want to install a dimmer OEM switch that most of you in the USA have as default. But my car is a japan version for the european market and has no such switch. So, my question is - is there a harness preinstalled, ready to plug in the switch or I have to wire something? What is the price of such switch in good working condition? Is somebody selling one? :)

Thank you in advance for your answers.
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By ShEfA
- Thu Sep 16, 2010 11:35 am #213971 Anyone? :cry:
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By Classiccarsrule85
- Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:12 pm #213978 So im guessing you have manual mirror set-up??

if so check here you will need to do some wiring
http://civic-eg.com/viewtopic.php?t=1561

dont worry about the retractable part just the power mirror wiring...
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By asianrob
- Thu Sep 16, 2010 1:29 pm #213979 id check to see if it is prewired. is your car RHD or LHD? you could possibly find the diagram for the dimmer switch. i believe your car should be prewired. the dimmer switches here are a dime a dozen. if i have one laying around i'll let you know.
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By ShEfA
- Mon Sep 20, 2010 9:51 pm #214665 My car is LHD, it is made in Japan for the European market. However, this is not important. The interesting part is, that this switch needs to be connected to a wire of the cluster. There is a specially designated wire and a terminal on the back of the cluster for the dimmer. As far as I know, we don't have it. I am interested in knowing what the hell does that wire do, so I can "simulate it" or cheat somehow.

I have an Integra cluster swap, the cluster was from a JDM integra, not type R, but a regular one.

Removing the cluster is Pain in the ass, so I wanted to know if anyone knows.

I still hope now that I've clarified, that someone will reply to my call for help :P

So, do you know why does the dimmer switch need this wire on the cluster?

I looked at the diagram, and it showed, that I connect one wire to the cable out of the fuse, designated for all the lights /cluster, Rear def, heat control, etc./, then I connect a ground to.. well a ground, and THEN this third stupid wire, to the cluster!? I don't know why that is :) :? :eh: :shock: :o :roll:
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By suspendedHatch
- Tue Sep 21, 2010 2:41 pm #214760 What the dimmer switch does is add resistance to the ground wire of the light circuit for everything that lights up when you turn the parking lights on. So the dimmer switch has three wires. One is a ground (black), one is parking light power (red/black), and one is the ground output with resistance added to it (red).

That red wire goes to everything that dims including your cluster. I don't know the exact details of the wiring in your market but I know for certain that in order to light up at all, your cluster has a chassis ground. You will need to cut that wire and run it to the red wire on your dimmer switch.

If your car doesn't have a dimmer switch harness, it is quite easy to add a ground and tap the parking lights and then run a third wire output from the switch.
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By ShEfA
- Wed Sep 22, 2010 9:09 am #214913 I am almost 90% sure, that my car has no pre-wired harness.
Obviously, I'll have to get the cluster out and see what I can do.

As far as I remember, the cluster has more than one grounds... I'll back this up with this pic: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v431/rompwats/DCintoEG.gif

You can see, that there is a dimmer designated wire.

I know, you already told me what to do :) I am just pointing this out.

Ok then, I'm going to get the dimmer switch and see what I can do. I know for certain, that I have the black/red wire, which powers up all the lights, but I'll have to think something for the red wire.

Thanks, suspendedHatch, you've been very helpful, as always!

I'll post the results after my intervention.
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