Heres my how-to for obtaining a 12v switched or continuous source and a place for ground.

First pull off both side panels on the upper console area as shown in my Dashboard Disassembly how-to.

The driver side will give you access to a good grounding stud and a source for 12v continuous power. To access the 12v continuous power, reach up and behind the 12v accessory plug. You will feel a small two wire harness coming from it. The harness has two wires, one black (ground) and one red (power).


From here you can cut and splice in your wiring to power your accessories. Your power tap will remain hidden behind the console panel and if you choose to you can still retain the use of your 12v accessory plug.

On this same side we will connect our black ground wire. You will see a metal frame member plainly visible with two studs and two nuts. Both of these provide a good grounding location. A 10mm metric socket is needed to remove the nut. And a 14-16 gauge clamp on ring will work well here.




If you need a 12v switched source (only on when key is in the accessory or run position) go over to the passenger console side panel. Behind this panel is one of the fuse panels on the car. On the panel itself is a diagram of which fuse controls what and its rating. I chose to use the sun roof fuse. To get power out of the fuse while the fuse is inserted we will need a power tap. Simply slide it over one and up of the blades on the fuse, then insert back into the fuse panel. Now we have a easy connection point for a 14-16 gauge quick connector.






Tip: On the fuse block itself is a long white tool for removing fuses. Its below the red portion with all the wires and is also noted on the fuse panel diagram.

 

Damn, these are some detailed How-Tos. Nice job Iroc!

 

Thanks for talking the time to post something like this.

 

Thanks Iroc. That is an excellent How-To. With great pics.

Rick

 

Would anyone know the steps of hooking a aftermarket amp up to the base stereo in a 06 cobalt?

 

how to is for how too, not questions

 

I highly recommend Little Fuse's "Add A Circuit" vs using the "mini tap" device shown above.

Thanks for the write ups BTW. Made it eaiser to install and wire my Aeroforce Interceptor.

 

Isnt that tap on the wrong side? I thought it goes on the right side?

 

i was wondering the same thing. i just read a dif thread on here about tapping the "right" (being front) blade of the fuse. can anyone clarify?

 

Well I just installed my Radar detector & used this how to for wiring & the front side of the fuse is always hot so to keep your circut fused you want to put the spade just where it is in the pic



one side note the two spots above the sun roof are spares & work great to add things same as you did on the sunroof just pop a fuse in one of the spares & wala as thats what I did

Great write up Thanks !!!!!1

 

What is the power wire currently used for. in case of mistakes, what will go bad? and can some one clarify if the lights will go out when the car is off. and would go on only if the headlight switch is on and/or ignition is on or run?

 

*subscribed* Great how to!

 

What gauge type wire should i use? is 16 sufficient? or should i go bigger or smaller? What do you think?

 

subscribed

 

do u have to tap it off of a certain amp fuse to keep it from blowing your radar detector or w/e? or will the devise only draw the needed power?

 

I was just wondering... what did you wire up to this? Thanks!

 

 

ok if you use the Fuse tap method,you would use the this as your postive red wire as far negative aka ground i would need to use the bolt on the other side correct?

Im looking to power in the car neons, as far as a switch i would put that switch on the Red wire correct, not on the ground?

so the two ports above the sunroof fuse are spares and givbe 12v and can be used by just sticking a fuse in and use the above method?

 

so to wire my interior leds, i would tap into a fuse that has power while the car is on, then run that to a switch then the switch to my led tubes...... and then just run the ground from my led tubes to some bare metal?

 

you can switch either the positive or the ground because without either one you don't have a complete circuit

 

Just wanted to clear up some confusion I saw in some other threads.

You DO NOT NEED TO HAVE A SUNROOF in order to tap into the sunroof fuse.

 

Nice write up. Will be needing this.

 

the two spare fuses above the sun roof fuse. are those switched or constant power sources? i needed a switched

 

is there a wire I can splice into that is switched? Dont wanna do a fuse tap. Thanks

 

so if i tap into any of those fuses and ground it on the bolt under the dash, my interceptor will turn on when i turn the key correct?