Amp Meter
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: NY
Amp Meter
My 72 LS5 starts and runs fine. The problem is that when It starts the amp gauge goes all the way 40+ and then after a few seconds it starts to return to normal. THis happened with my 5 year old battery as well as a new 790 amp Die Hard. I'm pretty sure this isn't normal even though everything seems to be working. What could be wrong? Thanks,BK
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: New Hill NC
My 72 LS5 starts and runs fine. The problem is that when It starts the amp gauge goes all the way 40+ and then after a few seconds it starts to return to normal. THis happened with my 5 year old battery as well as a new 790 amp Die Hard. I'm pretty sure this isn't normal even though everything seems to be working. What could be wrong? Thanks,BK
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
The meter is acting normally. But, if you get this +40 amp behavior with each quick start-up (you don't have to crank it much), then you likely have a problem with your battery. Normal starts don't take that much 'juice'...the ammeter may go over to +20 and drop back in 2-3 minutes. When it needs higher amperage to recharge and it takes longer to get back to "0", the battery is getting weak.
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From: NY
Thanks 7T1vette, that is what I thought. That was the reason I got a new battery, but still the same result. I thought the new battery might not be fully charged,but same result after 30mile drive. Going to drive 100 miles tomorrow-see what happens.BK
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
I agree. Check the contacts and terminal connections for alternator and battery wiring. It could be that the alternator is sensing a high resistance somewhere and interpreting that as needing to send max voltage to the battery.
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: NY
OK cleaned alt terminals,didn't look bad. Started car(first time in 3 days) Gage went to 40, after a couple seconds went down to 20,after 2min down to just right of 0. Started again after 10min run, did the same. Started 3 more times,did the same.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2012
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Just for an FYI, if the amperage in the system is still high, the battery could be at fault causing the alternator to constantly produce current and burn up the alternator. People who go thru several alternators in a short period could possibly have a battery problem.
Last edited by BlackC3vette; Sep 9, 2013 at 10:19 PM.