ammeter jumping
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: East Point KY
ammeter jumping
While my 76 is running either at idle or driving my ammeter jumps about every 15 seconds and the interior lights dim. Been looking for the problem, but have no idea which way to turn on this on. I have searched the forums and not found anything that has help yet. Thanks in advance for any help on this.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
it sounds like you have a corroded connection. check the connections at the battery, alternator, horn relay, and (i hate to say) the fuse panel inside and also on the engine side of the firewall.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Most likely a grounding problem. If you have a set of jumper cables, try using one of them as a "dummy" grounding strap to diagnose your problem. Hook it from frame to engine and/or from battery ground to frame (that cable is behind the battery box) to see if your 'flickering' problem disappears. If you can isolate the problem to a specific ground strap/wire, just fix that wiring or connection.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: East Point KY
Thanks so much, this gives me a few places to check out and see if any help, I sure do hope one of these is the problem, if not I will just keep looking. Wish I had a liitle more knowledge on the electrical side of these cars.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Surf City NJ
Mine was jumping constantly at idle. It would smooth out at higher RPMs. I pulled off the alternator and had it checked, and then repaired at a local starter shop. Even though it was recently rebuilt it needed some attention.All is well now...
