Ammeter Problem
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,495
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From: High Mountains of New Mexico
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Ammeter Problem
The ammeter in my '66 L79 coupe is not working. Trying to start with the easy things first (I would rather not remove and disassemble the instrument panel and replace it), I notice a condenser body in a bracket under it, but no wire coming out of the condenser to anywhere. I also notice from pics posted here that the wire from the condenser should be hooked to the left post of the ammeter. So, does anyone know where to get a new condenser for this? Thanks for any help.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Most vette vendors should have them. Long Island Corvette Supply shows it as part number 53-03G for $20
However, that capacitor is unrelated to the performance of the gauge
The gauge just measures a voltage differential between the 2 wires going into it. One wire comes from the starter, the other from the voltage regulator.
Remove the wires from the gauge and with the car running, measure the voltage at each wire to ensure the gauge is getting a signal
However, that capacitor is unrelated to the performance of the gauge
The gauge just measures a voltage differential between the 2 wires going into it. One wire comes from the starter, the other from the voltage regulator.
Remove the wires from the gauge and with the car running, measure the voltage at each wire to ensure the gauge is getting a signal
Last edited by 62Jeff; Jan 18, 2009 at 06:09 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 1,700
From: High Mountains of New Mexico
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C3 of the Year Finalist
OK, thanks will do that. Yes, I guess if I wasn't so old fashioned and out of date, I would have searched the new name for condenser, capacitor, and found a previous thread on this problem recently. But tell me, what does this capacitor do if it not involved with the gauge and yet hooked to it? I know capacitors are supposed to store electricity, right? What function is this thing doing that is not hooked up?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 1,700
From: High Mountains of New Mexico
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C3 of the Year Finalist
After testing, the right side of the harness has votage, the left (the side the capacitor is hooked to) does not. I will chase that wire down now. Thanks.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
There are several on the car:
On the flasher - keeps tick tick tick from coming on the radio when the signal light is on
On the brake pedal switch - keeps the act of hitting the brakes from making noise on the radio
On the parking brake wire - keeps the flashing parking brake light from making noise on the radio
And there are others as well.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 1,700
From: High Mountains of New Mexico
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C3 of the Year Finalist
OK, thanks for the help guys, now it's back to the garage to trace, check, and clean!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
small correction - one Battery meter wire gets 12volts at the starter solenoid, the other gets 12volts at the horn relay.
Both wires are always live whenever the battery is connected, and only
a 67 harness has fusible links. If your Battery meter is still okay, I
advise putting a 1 or 2 amp inline fuse on one of the meter terminals.
Both wires are always live whenever the battery is connected, and only
a 67 harness has fusible links. If your Battery meter is still okay, I
advise putting a 1 or 2 amp inline fuse on one of the meter terminals.
Last edited by magicv8; Jan 19, 2009 at 06:30 PM.
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