Anything else to connect a power cable to, than the battery

1Quik7 · Post by **1Quik7** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 9:53 am

So I'm getting ready to prep my car for my 1200.1 Ti12D install and I pull some of the panels out of the trunk, there are already wires there! It appears that someone HAD a 'system' in this car before me, they even have an RCA output tapped into the stock amp(which was one thing I was worried about).
So it all sounds fine, but it's only 8ga. wire and I tracked it running up thru the firewall and it's attached to something because I tug on it and it won't move, the problem is I can't see what it's attached to. There is nothing but the + and - cables connected to the battery and I swear on my life I don't any other shiny red wire in that engine bay.

What else would you run a power cable to?

Should I just run my 4ga. and push the old one out of the way? Should I test and see if it's hot and just use it since it's already in place?

I was happy to see some of the work had been done, but if I have to un-do it, it's going to be more a PITA than original.

oldschoolfan · Post by **oldschoolfan** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:10 am

The 8ga. is probably running into the main fuse panel under the hood. This is not sufficient. You need a minimum of 4ga. It should run directly to the battery and properly fused of course.

You don't need to remove the 8ga. As long as it is not in danger of grounding out and you don't mind it being there it will not hurt anything. I would for safety sake disconnect it from its source if you don't plan on using it for anything.

Post by **ttocs** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 10:35 am

they could have tapped the ignition wires up in the dash but I don't understand why you can't see where it is connected. Need to remove some more panels or something?

wash with gasoline · Post by **wash with gasoline** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 11:06 am

They mite of connected it to the starter?

ShockTherapy · Post by **ShockTherapy** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 2:35 pm

I've seen people tap into the stock fuse box under the hood.

1Quik7 · Post by **1Quik7** » Wed Oct 27, 2010 8:47 pm

I have a feeling it's connected to the front fuse box. There is a flip-top(lighter style) Accell fuse box wired in that doesn't look like it belongs, however it's only got a 3, that's right 3(pink) amp fuse.

It's just really annoying because the existing wire is taking up the rubber grommet in the firewall and I think they have it running thru one of the black plastic stock cable covers that leads to the fuse box. It's either gonna be very hard to remove or I'm gonna be looking for another way to get a line to the battery.

finbar · Post by **finbar** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 6:36 am

The abandoned 8ga wire could be handy for pulling a stouter wire thru the grommet.

Stryker · Post by **Stryker** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 7:44 am

cut it out(the 8ga) if you don't need it and use it for sub wire to the 12D. You definitely need 4ga if not 0ga power wire. better to go 0ga then it's done and you won't need to ever replace it as you upgrade and change

as we all do

1Quik7 · Post by **1Quik7** » Thu Oct 28, 2010 7:53 pm

Stryker wrote:cut it out(the 8ga) if you don't need it and use it for sub wire to the 12D. You definitely need 4ga if not 0ga power wire. better to go 0ga then it's done and you won't need to ever replace it as you upgrade and change as we all do

That's a great idea, I never even thought of that. I'm gonna pull it and use it for speaker wire.