Strange Ammeter
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,919
Likes: 4
From: Clovis NM
Strange Ammeter
I finally figured out my first electrical problem and went through 3 bad voltage regulators before I finally got a nice charge.. now I have another problem. First off the battery ended up draining over night and I don't know what did it.. maybe bad battery so I replaced the battery. Now the ammeter is doing something strange.. when I start the car initially the ammeter chows a great charge, then slowly falls to the 1 o clock position and stops there still showing a charge. If I get the RPMs to say 3500 it stays in the same place and doesn't move like the guage is dead. But I then turn the lights on which definately show a negative draw.. what is going on?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Sounds like normal operation to me, that is, if it doesnt go negative with the lights on. The reason for the fluctuation is that the alternator puts back into the battery what was drained under starting and then falls back as the regulator senses the battery being charged again. It should stay at just a minor charging rate until some load is applied like the lights. When the regulator sees the load it adjusts for the load and then stabilizes again. This fluctuation is much more pronounced with a new battery and is a good indication of the batterys condition.
Instructor
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 132
Likes: 1
From: Lovettsville VA
Bulkhead connector my ammeter problem?
Ah Ha!!! My ammeter went dead a while back and I assumed the meter itself had given up the ghost amd I never gave a thought to perhaps the problem being the bulk head connector.
I've already gone out and purchased the ammeter and dash removal was on my winter to do list.
So..... does it make sense to pull the bulk head electrical connectors and clean them before slapping in a new ammeter?
What kind of cleaner to used on the connector? Stabilant 22?
Thanks, Ox in Lovettsville
I've already gone out and purchased the ammeter and dash removal was on my winter to do list.
So..... does it make sense to pull the bulk head electrical connectors and clean them before slapping in a new ammeter?
What kind of cleaner to used on the connector? Stabilant 22?
Thanks, Ox in Lovettsville
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,068
Likes: 25
From: St. Joseph Mo
Cleaning bulkhead connection
Most 'wizzo' sprays are useless from what I have seen. I used a stainless steel tooth brush from the hardware store and my wife's emmory boards to shine up the connectors. I completed the job with a shot of WD-40 before reassembly for waterproofing.
