Factory ammeters never work, why?

[weim55]

Originally Posted by ray_mcavoy

Yes, as 57taskforce said, one fuse is on the driver side of the radiator support near the voltage regulator. The other is over on the passenger side near the battery. The factory fuse holders take 4 amp SFE4 fuses and look like this:



The 64 - 66 trucks used the same exact ammeter circuit as 67 - 72. So when working properly, the behavior should be the same. However, 64 - 66 did not have the little 4 amp fuses protecting the meter movement and it's associated wiring. I've seen a few 64 - 66 wiring harnesses with melted ammeter wiring so I think adding the inline fuses to those years is a good idea.

Great information! I will dig in on my 69 at some point soon to see if the fuses are the issue. I too would greatly prefer a voltmeter but if the amateur would work as good as the one in my 65 I would be perfectly happy. I can always tell right away if the charging system is functioning properly.

Steve weim55 Colorado

[weim55]

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

Mine has always worked just fine and it is interesting information but I always thought that these gauges (temperature, battery charge/discharge, and oil pressure should also have an "idiot light" on the gauge somewhere. I almost lost an engine (and it did fail a few months later) when the fan belt broke causing a very severe overheat. Who drives around monitoring these gauges constantly?

Some decades back I had a 72C 10 that I Combined an idiot light dashboard with a gauge dashboard so I had both the gauges and the lights.

Steve weim55 Colorado

[ohboy321]

Does anyone know of a source for these small fuse holders? Both of mine are missing, and I would like to find replacements that are similar.

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

Mine has always worked just fine and it is interesting information but I always thought that these gauges (temperature, battery charge/discharge, and oil pressure should also have an "idiot light" on the gauge somewhere. I almost lost an engine (and it did fail a few months later) when the fan belt broke causing a very severe overheat. Who drives around monitoring these gauges constantly?

Agree 100%, idiot lights to back up gauges have always made sense to me, for the same reason.

[ray_mcavoy]

Originally Posted by ohboy321

Does anyone know of a source for these small fuse holders? Both of mine are missing, and I would like to find replacements that are similar.

Unfortunately, I don't think anyone sells replacement fuse holders that look the same or similar to the originals. The ammeter wiring and the associated fuse holders are part of the front light harness. So purchasing a stock replacement style front light harness from a company such as American Autowire or M&H Electric Fabricators would be one option.

Or, for a functional but not quite as original looking replacement, you could use a couple of waterproof mini ATM fuse holders such as this: https://www.amazon.com/1st-Source-MI.../dp/B00NU9AW42

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

Mine has always worked just fine and it is interesting information but I always thought that these gauges (temperature, battery charge/discharge, and oil pressure should also have an "idiot light" on the gauge somewhere. I almost lost an engine (and it did fail a few months later) when the fan belt broke causing a very severe overheat. Who drives around monitoring these gauges constantly?

Yes, having both warning lights and gauges is a good idea. The stock gauge cluster in these trucks uses the same fuel gauge assembly as the warning light clusters. So it does have the provision for a temperature warning light. The little red plastic lens with "TEMP" printed on it is already in there. Making it functional would simply be a matter of installing a bulb & socket in that hole and running a wire out to a temperature switch on the engine. Adding an oil pressure light into the stock gauge cluster would take a little more work though.

[Already Gone]

I put one of T-Bones voltage gauge conversion kits in my truck and it works great. Link below..


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=653967

[godlytroop]

Originally Posted by ray_mcavoy

Unfortunately, I don't think anyone sells replacement fuse holders that look the same or similar to the originals. The ammeter wiring and the associated fuse holders are part of the front light harness. So purchasing a stock replacement style front light harness from a company such as American Autowire or M&H Electric Fabricators would be one option.

Or, for a functional but not quite as original looking replacement, you could use a couple of waterproof mini ATM fuse holders such as this: https://www.amazon.com/1st-Source-MI.../dp/B00NU9AW42




Yes, having both warning lights and gauges is a good idea. The stock gauge cluster in these trucks uses the same fuel gauge assembly as the warning light clusters. So it does have the provision for a temperature warning light. The little red plastic lens with "TEMP" printed on it is already in there. Making it functional would simply be a matter of installing a bulb & socket in that hole and running a wire out to a temperature switch on the engine. Adding an oil pressure light into the stock gauge cluster would take a little more work though.

Just to add a quick point. I have the same issue with adding idiot lights to a cluster with gauges. You can absolutely wire the light to come on when either the oil pressure switch OR temp switch comes on. All you have to do is wire the two switches in parallel. That way if the oil pressure or temp switch grounds it will turn on the light and then you can check the gauges to see which switch is the culprit.

That temp light gets 12V constant from the cluster and what turns it on is if that wire gets connected to ground. If you take that grounding wire and split it in two there you can connect one end to the temp switch and one to oil.

Thanks,
KJ

[special-K]

I've never had one not work. They are handy and useful for what they are meant to do.

[rpmerf]

Originally Posted by ray_mcavoy

Yes, having both warning lights and gauges is a good idea. The stock gauge cluster in these trucks uses the same fuel gauge assembly as the warning light clusters. So it does have the provision for a temperature warning light. The little red plastic lens with "TEMP" printed on it is already in there. Making it functional would simply be a matter of installing a bulb & socket in that hole and running a wire out to a temperature switch on the engine. Adding an oil pressure light into the stock gauge cluster would take a little more work though.

Factory temp sender is the driver's side head. Could put a switch for the light in the passenger's side head, or on the manifold if you have a port there, or on the thermostat housing. Thermostat housing would not be good if the thermostat was stuck closed though.

For oil pressure, use a T right where it comes out of the block and a pressure switch from a gauge cluster car.

Another thought is the bulb test when you turn the key to start.

[StingRay]

I did that 30 year ago. Works great.

Originally Posted by rpmerf

Factory temp sender is the driver's side head. Could put a switch for the light in the passenger's side head, or on the manifold if you have a port there, or on the thermostat housing. Thermostat housing would not be good if the thermostat was stuck closed though.

For oil pressure, use a T right where it comes out of the block and a pressure switch from a gauge cluster car.

Another thought is the bulb test when you turn the key to start.

[71gmcC15]

Originally Posted by WorkinLonghorn

Mine has always worked just fine and it is interesting information but I always thought that these gauges (temperature, battery charge/discharge, and oil pressure should also have an "idiot light" on the gauge somewhere. I almost lost an engine (and it did fail a few months later) when the fan belt broke causing a very severe overheat. Who drives around monitoring these gauges constantly?

I check my gauges all the time. I gess it's a habit. Even in new pickups I am allways looking at the gauges.

[toolboxchev]

I cleaned all the grounds in my vehicle, adding 1 or 2 where necessary. The entire electrical system came to life, including the Ammeter gauge.

Use dielectric grease where you have a bolted connection.

Pretty simple

[ray_mcavoy]

Originally Posted by godlytroop

Just to add a quick point. I have the same issue with adding idiot lights to a cluster with gauges. You can absolutely wire the light to come on when either the oil pressure switch OR temp switch comes on. All you have to do is wire the two switches in parallel. That way if the oil pressure or temp switch grounds it will turn on the light and then you can check the gauges to see which switch is the culprit.

Originally Posted by rpmerf

Factory temp sender is the driver's side head. Could put a switch for the light in the passenger's side head, or on the manifold if you have a port there, or on the thermostat housing. Thermostat housing would not be good if the thermostat was stuck closed though.

For oil pressure, use a T right where it comes out of the block and a pressure switch from a gauge cluster car.

Another thought is the bulb test when you turn the key to start.

I agree, the existing TEMP light could be wired up to both temp and oil pressure switches to make it function as a "check gauges" warning light. And yes, a temp switch in the pass side head on a V8 or manifold port and oil switch connected to a Tee fitting where the gauge line goes into the block would do the trick. Wiring it up to the ignition switch (like GM did with the stock TEMP & BRAKE lights) for a bulb check during start-up is a good idea too.

When I said earlier, "Adding an oil pressure light into the stock gauge cluster would take a little more work though." I was thinking along the lines of what it would take to cut in a stock looking "window" and fit it with a lens with "OIL" printed on it.

[Chris_oz]

Mine has not moved since I have owned the truck, put a fuse in the drivers side holder as there was none.

Magic.....works like a new one.

Very happy.

[67 twins]

Of the 4 trucks the wife & I own only one Ammeter doesn't work. The wiring on that truck has been so butchered I'm surprised anything works.

[67 twins]

Who drives around monitoring these gauges constantly?[/QUOTE]

Those who don't want to replace an engine from a severe overheat or a loss of oil pressure

[cstanley]

Mine works great as well. Slight drop into charge territory with headlights, then gets really bouncy with a/c and gets buried with subwoofer...