Installing power cable for sub amp - I think I got this right without doing any damage. Feel free to comment if you see something I totally screwed up on and would constitute a threat to humanity.

Another firewall story as the solution I used was not one that appears to have been detailed anywhere. I looked at all the videos, read the articles for days - maybe even a couple weeks – I even looked around for someone to do this one particular task. The rest of the install (head, door speakers, speaker wire runs etc) I can handle. I was just stressing over the firewall and screwing something up.

None of the holes that other install posts and videos really worked for me. They are all really great, but just did not address what I was facing. I am a big guy, so squeezing down under the dash is uncomfortable at best. Then I found a hole on the passenger side that seemed to work. It had a large, soft gasket, relatively few existing wires and what appeared to be plenty of open area on the grommet to safely poke a line through. After fretting about it for a couple weeks, I just went for it. If I screwed it up, at least I knew where I did the damage. A simple 16 gauge stainless steel wire (like the type used for electric fences) was enough of a tool for the task. It was thin, pliable, but would stand up to the force of being pushed. I cut a small section, put a light point on one end with a grinder and securely taped the power cable on the other. I did not use any lubricant as I was worried it may degrade the soft gasket. Instead, the duct tape provided enough slippage.

With a fairly light amount of effort and a lot of caution, the wire poked through the squishy gasket inside. Then I carefully pulled the wire through from the inside. Pix below.

Finally, I started the car and checked for things that may have been damaged. Everything seems to be working just fine.

Hope this helps somebody.


Wide photo of entry point.

Zoomed photo of entry point.

Entry point on passenger side of dash

Exit side of gasket on passenger side.

Simple wire tool with sharpened end. Wire taped to other end.

Initial push of wire into gasket.

Initial exit of wire from gasket inside.

Pulled power wire up to meet gasket at entry point,.

Final pull of wire and power cable through.

 

Don't forget to seal around the wire/gasket. Also be sure that the wire enters the gasket from below so water won't be able to follow the wire and enter the car. Then you should be good.

I think I used that same spot on my 00 Civic when I was passing my mechanical oil temperature gauge!

 

Looks like you did a good job!

 

Thanks! I will be sure to do that. I will put a sag in the wire before the entry point.
As far as sealant, what should I seal it with? I don't want to dissolve the gasket at all.

 

Awesome first post.

 

@josephrowan Good post. I appreciate your sense of caution and thoughtfulness.

As far as I know, silicone is not only safe, but good for squishy gaskets, non-squishy gaskets, o-rings, etc. I dowse the rubber boots on the axles with silicone all the time. It seems to preserve them.

 

Great...that is good info. I probably have some in the garage already but will some if need be. It's always good to have around.