Amp meter problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 455
Likes: 4
From: Trois Rivieres Quebec
Amp meter problem
Has anybody ever had the needle on his amp meter point 180' off. I just got back from the alignment shop, and while he was loosening the front bolt on the LH a-arm shaft, his wrench struck the terminal on the horn relay causing a spark.
I immediately used the quick dis-connect battery terminal so that it would not repeat itself, and once the work was completed I drove home. On the way, I noticed that the amp needle was no longer moving, and that it was pointing towards the bottom of the gauge, and no longer seems to move, one way or the other.
I remember having read in one of the NCRS mags, many years ago, that there was an easy was to reverse this situation, but for the life of me I don't remember where I read it.
Anybody ever had this happen, and know of an easy way to get this back to it's correct position, other then having to go through the removal , and replacement procedure.
Drive your Corvette
as if each day was your last
I immediately used the quick dis-connect battery terminal so that it would not repeat itself, and once the work was completed I drove home. On the way, I noticed that the amp needle was no longer moving, and that it was pointing towards the bottom of the gauge, and no longer seems to move, one way or the other.
I remember having read in one of the NCRS mags, many years ago, that there was an easy was to reverse this situation, but for the life of me I don't remember where I read it.
Anybody ever had this happen, and know of an easy way to get this back to it's correct position, other then having to go through the removal , and replacement procedure.
Drive your Corvette
as if each day was your last
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 195
From: Maryland
You need to reverse the polarity of the gauge. Disconnect the 2 wire connectors behind the gauge. Attach 2 alligators clips to the gauge. With a low amp trickle charger plugged in an electrical socket touch the 2 alligators clips with leads from the charger. Good Luck.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 455
Likes: 4
From: Trois Rivieres Quebec
Better, but no longer usable
I did the reverse procedure with the two wires as described, and the needle came back to the top. However it remaines slightly off center when the battery is back on line, and it's use is no longer close enough to the proper functioning mode to be acceptable.
During the time I draw current ( lights, door opening, ect., ) it goes to the discharge side about 5 time further then before. Then when the engine is started, it swings so far to the right side, I thought it was going to flip around again.
Sadely this will have to do for now, because of our short season, I have no intention of sending it out for repair for the time being.
Thanks for those who took the time to respond.
regards
Bob
Drive your Corvette as if each day was your last
During the time I draw current ( lights, door opening, ect., ) it goes to the discharge side about 5 time further then before. Then when the engine is started, it swings so far to the right side, I thought it was going to flip around again.
Sadely this will have to do for now, because of our short season, I have no intention of sending it out for repair for the time being.
Thanks for those who took the time to respond.
regards
Bob
Drive your Corvette
as if each day was your last
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 0
From: Texas
St. Jude Donor '09
had a similar problem on my 64. Turned out to be a bad voltage regulator, About 10 bucks from autozone. made across the pond but at 10 bucks it's a throwaway someday. Meanwhile works great.
you probably smoked the points on yours. Let us know how it comes out.
another thought knew of a situation where the needle was driven below the peg, so pulled meter moved it back and it worked fine. Couple things to check.
you probably smoked the points on yours. Let us know how it comes out.
another thought knew of a situation where the needle was driven below the peg, so pulled meter moved it back and it worked fine. Couple things to check.
