I just picked up a new digital clock for my truck, but it came with no instructions on how to wire up. It has 4 wires a red, black, blue and orange. I just want to be sure I dont run my battery down. Anyone out their familiar or know how to? Any help greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Carl

 

Wow, it should have come with instructions!!!

Here are the 4 connections, but there is no way of telling where
the wires on your digial clock should go:

+12V unswitched
+12V switched
+12V instrument lights
GROUND

 

kochy54, The red powers the clock display and should be connected to a source that is only hot when the key is on. The black should be connected to a good ground. This will get your clock running. One of the other wires powers the memory and should be connected to a constant source of 12v. That leaves one wire, which, according to Bob should be connected to a 12V source that is hot when the trucks lights are on.

Hook up the red and black wires as explained above. When you turn the key on the display should come on and you should be able to set the clock. For now, you don't need to set it exactly, just change it to 1 o'clock. Take one of the other wires and temporarily connect it to a source of constant 12V.

Make note of the clock's time, turn the key off, wait a minute and turn it back on. If you've got the correct third wire(the one for memory) the time shouldn't change back to the factory time. If it does, unhook the third wire, hook up the fourth wire to a constant 12V and repeat the procedure.

The remaining wire should be connected to a source that is only hot when the dash lights are on.

If you hook the black wire to ground and the other three wires to a source of 12V you can't hurt the clock.

 

I installed the factory clock into my 84 also. I used the wiring diagram in the Haynes manual to wire it . It shows exactly what wire connects to what in your wiring harness on your truck. When you are finished it will be wired the same as a factory installed clock.
Good Luck!
P.S.: Hook up the ground wire before you hookup anything else!

 

Actually, when I went to install a clock in my '85 (which came from the factory without one), the wiring was already there, behind the block-off plate. It was a simple plug 'n play deal. Don't know if this was the case on all trucks, but it was on mine.