How much should the ammeter needle move? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Scooter67 · 08-09-2005, 02:06 PM

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.

**dennislbrooks** · 08-09-2005, 03:41 PM

My 67 acts the same but I have no electrical problems or non-charged battery condition. A little noticeable movement would be nice.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 08-09-2005, 08:04 PM

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

kaycee · 08-09-2005, 08:34 PM

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

72MARIO · 08-09-2005, 09:12 PM

Mine hardly moves mabye a 1/16" max.

oldsub86 · 08-09-2005, 10:55 PM

Remove the ammeter and throw it away. A voltage guage is better and safer.

roger0080 · 08-09-2005, 11:30 PM

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.

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 08-09-2005, 11:59 PM

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.

roger0080 · 08-10-2005, 08:50 PM

That's the way it should be.

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 08-10-2005, 10:39 PM

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

08-09-2005, 02:06 PM	#1
Scooter67 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: middle TN Posts: 87	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. __________________ Here's my '67 stepside www.truckwithaheart.com

08-09-2005, 08:34 PM	#4
kaycee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Wyoming USA Posts: 2,445	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

08-09-2005, 09:12 PM	#5
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,052	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

08-09-2005, 10:55 PM	#6
oldsub86 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 695	Remove the ammeter and throw it away. A voltage guage is better and safer. __________________ 1968 Chevy - 292 with a powerglide

08-09-2005, 11:30 PM	#7
roger0080 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Carver County, Minnesota, USA Posts: 626	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...

08-09-2005, 03:41 PM	#2
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,766	My 67 acts the same but I have no electrical problems or non-charged battery condition. A little noticeable movement would be nice.

08-09-2005, 08:04 PM	#3
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	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

08-09-2005, 11:59 PM	#8
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	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. __________________ 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

08-10-2005, 08:50 PM	#9
roger0080 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Carver County, Minnesota, USA Posts: 626	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...

08-10-2005, 10:39 PM	#10
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	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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