[ColonelColt]

So I'm mounting a clinometer off of a Japanese 4Runner (Surf) that I got off of eBay for a really great deal. Everything's been going fine with me modifying the plastic housing to mount on the dash somewhat decently and I was planning on tying its light source into the clock's power... But it seems the clock has four wires. Grey, blue, green, and white with a black strip. Now, the clinometer has the green and white with black stripe coming off of it. I'm not sure what the other two wires do but I see no reason why I can't still simply tie in the matching fires from the clinometer to the ones on the clock back and ignore the other two.

This guy has a page on installing them but for 4Runners and pickups:

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Clinometer.shtml

I emailed and asked his advance and his response was:

"Not familiar with the Rav4 wiring. Sounds like you are describing the wires on the clock, it likely has constant and switched power, back light and ground wires. You might instead try the back of the lighter socket"

Obviously the clock's power is a lot more accessible than the lighter's for mounting it on the center top of the dash so I'd like to stay with that. I see no reason why Toyota would start using the exact same wire color codes for completely different things on related vehicles of the same vintage. If anyone who is familiar with wiring things on the RAV4.1 can help out, I'd be much appreciative . Pictures will definitely follow either way once I get the vinyl dyed something other than Horrid Reddish. Thanks. - Colt

 

[2001SL2]

Cool project.

Although I understand you don't, I agree the wiring on the cigarette lighter is a lot easier to use.

THe light ring has power that comes on only when you switch the lights on and the actual lighter gets power only when you turn the key to ACC.

I can't think of anything easier than that that will ensure you won't kill your battery and you won't have to run wire through the firewall.

Just pull the lighter out of the socket and solder wires to the existing wires. Easy

 

[ColonelColt]

Well, it's more of routing the wires down there that would be the issue. How exactly do you pull out the cigarette lighter housing?

 

[tinmanchris217]

After removing the bottom panel piece, the wiring slides right off the back of the cigarette lighter.

I'm not sure which wires are which, but you should have IGN +12V, Ground, and Illumination. (grey, black, orange?) You can always test this with a voltmeter.

Then just snip the old wire, 2 inches back. Strip both sides 1/2 in, along with your new wire. Then use a twist-on or insulated butt connector.

 

[freshman]

the clock of a rav4 whre the wires attach has a back label that would say:
B+ (constant)
I+ (Illumination)
?+ (ignition)
G- (ground)

I will confirm everything tonight as i have a loose clock with wire on it from a rav4.

 

[Corrupt_File]

Yeah, so you want to connect to IGN and GND. The other two are there for illumination/dimming purposes when the headlights are turned on, and for keeping the clock powered, thus keeping time when the car is off.

However, I would still rather draw power from the cig lighter, toya is known for using the smallest gauge of wire possible, and since those clocks don't draw much power, the clock + clinometer might be too much.