Where to tap into 12V power source?

[ArticRider]

I'm thinking about some interior lighting ideas(perhaps putting some CCL's underneath the seats). Since I don't have power seats, I heard that I could tap into the harness that is behind and under the driver's seat. I took a look at it and am a lil bit confused as to where to tap into it. It looks like there are leads for positive and negative...Can someone explain to me how it works...it looks like a harness that plugs into itself...weird to explain. I will take a pic later if anyone wants to see it...can't do it now cause it's 4:13 a.m. and it's the low 40's outside now.

Anywhere else that's convenient to tap into? I heard the cigarette lighter or the fuse panel. Anyone know what I have to take apart to get to these? Don't really want wires to be visible. Wiring diagrams would be fine, pictures if possible. I know enough about wiring and circuitry to do the installs, but I have no clue what or how to take apart to get to the wires. Would love to see how you guys usually wire things up. Thanks.

[firebird1]

well, easiest way to get to the cig wires is through the "tcs" panel at the front of the dashdont have it? then might have to take the top console out. might want to do that anyway to run the wires...

its just one orange(power) and one black(ground)

[ArticRider]

Where or what is the tcs panel? Is it the panel above the radio with the switches(I have Second gear start and fog lights there, with the "camaro" plaque). How would I take this stuff off? Also, if I tap into the cigarette lighter or any source for that matter, would I need to add an inline fuse? Thanks.

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

tap in to the fuse panle under one of the IGN (i think) open spots, that way your lights turn off when you turn off you key and you do for get, just push it in the front of the fuse panle and your done

[ArticRider]

Now, if I tap into that, is it only the positive wire that goes to one blade of the fuse? Would I have to ground the other wire somewhere?

[ArticRider]

Does anyone know what this is used for? I took some pics of this connector behind the driver's seat. There is not one on the passenger side. Possibly power seats(I don't have power seats) connector or seat belt sensor? I dunno about the seat belt sensor because the passenger side doesn't have one. And I'm not too sure how the sensor works anyways...once you click the latch, the light disappears. Well, here's the pics I took anyways:





One end is power...it's got black(ground) and a striped terminal. The other end of the connector has both wires black as you can see... dunno if it's a dud or maybe I should just use my multimeter to test the voltage. Anybody know what these wires and connectors do?

[firebird1]

dont know what that is, but post a pic of your console under your radio, yours is not the same as mine...

[Javelin3o4]

if your car takes the mini blade fuses, autozone sells a product called "add a cicuit" you remove a fuse, plug the unit into the fuse box and replace your fuse, then it has a wire lead comming off you can run your accessories too, autozone also sells a control panel which lights up that allows you to control a few accessories like lighting. Or you could just tap into a 12v source in the ingnition harness under the dash (red wire).

[ArticRider]

Here are pics of my console:





And I didn't know about that "add a circuit" thingie that they sell. Cool. I'll keep it mind! Thanks guys.

P.S. Oh, and I found out from the camaroz28.com forums that the plug/harness behind the driver's seat is indeed for the seatbelt sensor/chime.

[ March 01, 2004, 06:47 PM: Message edited by: ArticRider ]

[02PewterBird]

Originally posted by ArticRider:
Does anyone know what this is used for? I took some pics of this connector behind the driver's seat.

I've wondered what that thing is too. I never thought about the seatbelt light. If that's what it is the passenger side wouldn't need one because there isn't a seatbelt light for that side.

[firebird1]

that square panel with the "top" button should come off, and there should be enough slack in the cig wires to tap them....

post if it works.