Ammeter flickering?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,366
Likes: 105
From: Flower Mound TX
Ammeter flickering?
I very rarely drive my 64 at night. Yesterdays weather was too nice not to drive it around. I noticed the ammeter gauge was flickering at times from the "+" side back to center and the lights would dim and then go back to normal.
Is that an indication that the alternator might be going or the voltage regulator is borderline? Maybe that is the way it is? The car ran fine otherwise.
Is that an indication that the alternator might be going or the voltage regulator is borderline? Maybe that is the way it is? The car ran fine otherwise.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 978
Likes: 1
From: Scranton Pennsylvania
There could be several causes. I had a similiar problem with my 63. Not having the proper testing equipment, I was ready to take the trial and error approach. I got lucky, The first item that I replaced was the voltage regulator. It was quick easy and cheap. That corrected the problem. Good Luck!!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
I very rarely drive my 64 at night. Yesterdays weather was too nice not to drive it around. I noticed the ammeter gauge was flickering at times from the "+" side back to center and the lights would dim and then go back to normal.
Is that an indication that the alternator might be going or the voltage regulator is borderline? Maybe that is the way it is? The car ran fine otherwise.
Is that an indication that the alternator might be going or the voltage regulator is borderline? Maybe that is the way it is? The car ran fine otherwise.
1) Idle speed (often, these symptoms are when idling)
2) Alternator drive belt tight
3) Take a voltage reading across the battery terminals with car running.
More advice on this last item is here: http://autorepair.about.com/cs/elect...a122700a_2.htm
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
The battery meter is measuring the small voltage difference between the horn relay and the starter solenoid. Make sure the connections at both are clean and tight. Also make sure the RH bulkhead connector is tight, since the wires from the battery meter run through it.
Be careful. Both lines always have 12volts and there is no fuse in either line to protect the battery meter if you ground one of the lines.
If you need a wiring diagram there is a link near the bottom of this web page to one you can save and print in any size:http://www.corvetteforum.net/classics/magicmachine
Be careful. Both lines always have 12volts and there is no fuse in either line to protect the battery meter if you ground one of the lines.
If you need a wiring diagram there is a link near the bottom of this web page to one you can save and print in any size:http://www.corvetteforum.net/classics/magicmachine
Last edited by magicv8; May 18, 2008 at 04:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,366
Likes: 105
From: Flower Mound TX
All very good suggestions. I will start checking the tightness of things. I am electrically with it, but this one is a little mystifying to me. It kind of reminds me of the turn signals being on, but they aren't.
Thanks everyone.
Thanks everyone.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
If the voltage is really swinging to cause the problem, an analog voltmeter reading (with the engine running and the problem occurring) at the horn relay and at the starter solenoid should pin the problem down.
