[jharvey]

I need to run a 14/2 (zip wire) from the battery into the cab, where can I come through the firewall?
I couldn't see any grommets or seals from inside and sure can't see anything from the engine bay.

If you're wondering it's for power for my HAM radio and coming off the battery for a) constant power and b) to eliminate any engine related noise.

TIA

John

 

[jflash]

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=2117.0

use this to see how to take the strip off the dash. then you will see there are only 2 screws holding the glove box in. there is a huge grommet behind it you can use.

 

[jharvey]

THANKS!! :lol:

 

[artisanx]

If you’re adventurous it’s possible to drill a hole in the firewall just above where the hood release cable passes through. I just installed a Prosport boost gauge and expect to run more wires in the future, so I wanted an access point that was readily accessible.

If anyone wants the lowdown on this sing out and I’ll describe the process in greater detail.

 

[jharvey]

It would be interesting to see, not sure I'm that adventurous though.

Did you use a right angle drill and hole saw to do it??

 

[artisanx]

I checked out the right angle drill approach, but couldn’t even fit a right angle die grinder high enough behind the dash to be useful. I drilled from the engine side, over the driver side shock tower brace. The hole was center punched with a sharpened piece of 1/4" steel rod and drilled at a ~20deg. angle with a 12” drill extension and a step drill (there’s no way to drill straight-on into a useful location). Worked like a charm.

If anyone tries this, bear in mind that you MUST center punch before drilling (or you’ll never get the drill to catch at that angle). Also, be sure to punch slightly higher (perhaps 1/16”) than you want the center of your hole, as the angle will cause the drill to drift down slightly. And finally, have a friend watch the hood release cable from the inside as you drill through and move it out of the way of necessary.

I advise testing the process on a piece of scrap held in a vise to make sure things will work as planned, and to determine the best diameter hole for the grommet you use.