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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: middle TN
Posts: 87
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How much should the ammeter needle move?
I don't think mine's working. Doesn't budge when I start the engine or use accessories or during shutdown or anytime. May not even be wired up. Started watching it for the first time yesterday when my 72 month battery died after only 11 months. (Fortunately it had 2-yr free replacement.)
FWIW, truck has a 1993 4.3 Vortec V6 which is alot different than stock 67, electrically speaking. |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Williamsburg, Ohio
Posts: 1,783
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My 67 acts the same but I have no electrical problems or non-charged battery condition. A little noticeable movement would be nice.
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#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Muskegon,MI,USA
Posts: 6,026
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The ammeter should move enough to notice it. When you start the truck it will discharge slightly. Turning the lights on without the engine running will make it discharge more. After the truck is first started it should show a charge until the battery is charged up. At that point it will not be showing a charge or discharge.
I would check the little fuses (one on each side of the radiator). They are small fuses, (about 4 amps) and they are in little rubber football looking holders. Jim |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Wyoming USA
Posts: 2,445
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Mine has not moved at all until my battery went dead the other day,I jump startd it and it was pointing a smidge past the halfway mark.I got a new battery in it and it is right where it has allways been,on the halfway mark
__________________
2001 Silverado K-1500 2005 FXDWG stage3 69 CHEVY Short/Step 327/4L60 373 posi 63 IMPALA 327 |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada
Posts: 4,052
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Mine hardly moves mabye a 1/16" max.
__________________
1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 695
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Remove the ammeter and throw it away. A voltage guage is better and safer.
__________________
1968 Chevy - 292 with a powerglide |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Carver County, Minnesota, USA
Posts: 626
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I wish the ammeter gauge was more sensitive or moves more too. A 1/16th movement is not all that noticable.
One of the wires has a an in-line fuse in the wiring under the hood. Check that it is not blown.
__________________
72 Chev C-10 90% restored (former AZ truck) ... 71 Chev K-20 Cheyenne my vacation crusier... 72 Chev C-10 Now retired and striped after many faithful miles... 72 GMC 1500 Retired to the junk yard after bought new in '71... |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Beeville, Texas
Posts: 1,943
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There was a stewart warner -60/0/+60 ammeter in my truck when I got it and that thing is really sensitive. Crank the engine to start it and it goes to -30 then back to 0, turn the headlights on it drops to -10 and then goes back to 0. Most of the time it stays at about +2 amps with no accessories on and the engine idling.
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RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Carver County, Minnesota, USA
Posts: 626
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That's the way it should be.
__________________
72 Chev C-10 90% restored (former AZ truck) ... 71 Chev K-20 Cheyenne my vacation crusier... 72 Chev C-10 Now retired and striped after many faithful miles... 72 GMC 1500 Retired to the junk yard after bought new in '71... |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Beeville, Texas
Posts: 1,943
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I figured that's how the stock one should work, I don't know why it doesn't. I replaced both fuses in the front harness and I'm getting power through the small black and white striped wire to the gauge cluster, I checked it with a test light. I got tired of trying to get it to work so I just left the SW gauge under the dash, so at least there's one working ammeter in the truck. Is it possible for the original ones to go bad? I heard of a company called Fix-A-Gauge and they sell a resistor kit that is supposed to be guaranteed to work, it's like 8 bucks. I'm thinking about buying the kit, has anybody else bought from them and did it really work? http://www.fix-a-gauge.com/products.php
__________________
RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck |
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