hi I did pull the black negative wire off the factory ammeter gauge due to some splicing and hacking it had into other wires.[/QUOTE said
the red and black wires going to the amp g are both hot the three wires that are spliced into the black wire are hot also one feeds the fuse box one feeds the headlight switch and the other goes to the ing switch. they are welded together by the factory. and no these wires do not power the inst panel. if im understanding right .