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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Scottsdale
Posts: 28
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Amp Meter Bench Test
1970 C20 with factory amp meter (The one with the "D" and "C"). It has 2 posts on the back that go to the printed circuit. Does anyone know how to actually bench test these out of the vehicle? Or is there a simplified way to hook it up under the hood to verify it is in working condition? I have not been able to find out through the previous posts or through google for that matter. Thanks
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#2 |
Java Mechanic
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Martinsburg, WV
Posts: 6,764
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Re: Amp Meter Bench Test
Disconnect it and run a continuity check. Open is bad, small resistance is good. More likely than a bad gauge is a burned fusible link under the hood.
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Keith 11 Lincoln MKT -- Momma's wagon ![]() 13 G37xS -- middle age crazy car 68 C20 Fleetside -- RIP Decorating the whole town up at a cost of $27 .... |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Scottsdale
Posts: 28
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Re: Amp Meter Bench Test
I noticed when looking at other gauges that were removed and new gauges that the needle is in the middle... Mine is all the way to D. I did the check like you recommended and with the results you suggested... Still nothing. I have power on both poles when in place. I have checked the fuse by the radiator and it is good. Some people state that there are two fuses... I only have one (Possible PO mod.) Either way I was just trying to hook it up under the hood and was looking fro someone that has performed that successfully. Thank you for your help.
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#4 |
Msgt USAF Ret
![]() ![]() Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Posts: 8,714
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Re: Amp Meter Bench Test
Here is the diagram that shows the two wires and the two fuses. the solid black wire connects to the battery terminal junction on the right fender and the black/white stripe wire connects to the three way junction from the battery and alternator. If you connect the two posts to these spots under the hood it should read correctly. The junction is wrapped in the harness but if you connect with the red wire on the external regulator then it should read as well. I would use a four or five amp fuse in each wire to protect the gauge. The fact that it reads at the D could mean that the gauge was showing maximum discharge at the last time it was reading. A lot of these gauges will stay at their last position when power is removed.
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VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative. |
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#5 |
*** That's interesting ***
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 2,772
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Re: Amp Meter Bench Test
With no power (no battery hooked up or anything), the stock gauge should settle itself in the middle of D/C. If it falls to D, it's either busted (mechanically) or someone gutted it and replaced it with a volt meter.
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Tom ![]() Chevy by day... 1969 Chevy C30 Rollback Tow Truck -- 383 stroker, 4L80E 2011 Chevy Caprice PPV 9C3 6.0L 1995 Chevy Caprice 9C1 1994 Chevy Caprice 9C1 #3 1995 Chevy Caprice Wagon #2 1995 Chevy Impala SS Mopar by night... 1969 Dodge Charger 1972 Chrysler Newport 2dr Hardtop (27K miles) Plus others... |
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