ammeter question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bucket · 01-19-2004, 07:44 PM

i have noticed that my ammeter needle does not really seem to move. it used to (i thought) be just right of center towards "c" when the engine is running. if you were to turn on the lights with the engine is off, it would go left of center towards "d". now it stays just right of center all the time. bad gauge? bad ground? Thoughts

**smitty62** · 01-19-2004, 07:49 PM

Check the small fuse holders near the headlights--they blow or corrode regularly.

**john** · 01-19-2004, 07:56 PM

diagram

bucket · 01-19-2004, 07:58 PM

just did some digging using the search.......looks like the ammeter may not work properly with a one wire alternator. if so, is there a way to get the gauge to function properly using the one wire setup?

**john** · 01-19-2004, 08:16 PM

I dont know why it wouldn't work with 1 wire alt. The 18ga. b/w wire ties into the 12ga. red alt same as before. I would still check fuses and connections, it should work. Good luck John.

cableguy0 · 01-19-2004, 09:04 PM

the gauges do go bad i have yet to see one that actually works in one of these trucks

JimKshortstep4x4 · 01-19-2004, 10:03 PM

Depending on how the battery wire was run from the alternator as John mentioned should not affect the amp meter. If you ran the wire straight from the alternator to the battery and bypassed the large red wire going from the battery to the firewall then it could affect the meter. Most installations use the existing wire and the meter will function very well.

Jim

bucket · 01-19-2004, 11:56 PM

thanks guys......i will check the fuses when it warms up a bit.

01-19-2004, 07:44 PM	#1
bucket Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 923	ammeter question i have noticed that my ammeter needle does not really seem to move. it used to (i thought) be just right of center towards "c" when the engine is running. if you were to turn on the lights with the engine is off, it would go left of center towards "d". now it stays just right of center all the time. bad gauge? bad ground? Thoughts

01-19-2004, 07:49 PM	#2
smitty62 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,234	Check the small fuse holders near the headlights--they blow or corrode regularly. __________________ Stepsides look like real trucks! Smitty

01-19-2004, 07:56 PM	#3
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	diagram Attached Images __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

01-19-2004, 08:16 PM	#5
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	I dont know why it wouldn't work with 1 wire alt. The 18ga. b/w wire ties into the 12ga. red alt same as before. I would still check fuses and connections, it should work. Good luck John. Attached Images __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

01-19-2004, 09:04 PM	#6
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	the gauges do go bad i have yet to see one that actually works in one of these trucks __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

01-19-2004, 07:58 PM	#4
bucket Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 923	just did some digging using the search.......looks like the ammeter may not work properly with a one wire alternator. if so, is there a way to get the gauge to function properly using the one wire setup?

01-19-2004, 10:03 PM	#7
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Depending on how the battery wire was run from the alternator as John mentioned should not affect the amp meter. If you ran the wire straight from the alternator to the battery and bypassed the large red wire going from the battery to the firewall then it could affect the meter. Most installations use the existing wire and the meter will function very well. Jim

01-19-2004, 11:56 PM	#8
bucket Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 923	thanks guys......i will check the fuses when it warms up a bit.



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