69 Center Console Ammeter Issue
Guys,
Restored 69 BB: Alternator is restored as well as all gauges (D&M). All new wiring harnesses and battery at restoration last year. About 6-8 months ago my ammeter needle began to occasionally oscillate rapidly and show a discharge. Voltmeter check back at the battery shows a perfect 14.4 volts and steady, Battery never shows any sign of discharge. Car starts perfectly with a fully charged battery. Lately the ammeter needle is fluctuating rapidly all the time and shows a discharge constantly. I assumed since the battery voltage was normal that the gauge may be in question. I replaced the gauge and on initial start up, the gauge read perfectly. Slight charge and then steady just above 0. After about 3-4 minutes the needle fell to discharge and stayed there even though battery voltage, engine running, tested at the battery cables showed 14.5v steady. Ammeter needle was not wildly fluctuating like the first one though. I assume that I may actually have a new faulty ammeter. My experience with these Chinese gauges has not been good.
Also, there is a small capacitor mounted on the back of the gauge cluster metal housing. It was not plugged into anything. It's connector is a simple blade which is intended to be added to some other connector. I see no drawing of it in the AIM or my maintenance manual. Anyone know what this capacitor is for and what it plugs in to? I assume it's some type of noise filter but that's just a guess.
I hope some of you may some experience with this. It's giving me fits and other than another bad gauge, I'm out of ideas.
Thanks for any ideas!
Brad
Restored 69 BB: Alternator is restored as well as all gauges (D&M). All new wiring harnesses and battery at restoration last year. About 6-8 months ago my ammeter needle began to occasionally oscillate rapidly and show a discharge. Voltmeter check back at the battery shows a perfect 14.4 volts and steady, Battery never shows any sign of discharge. Car starts perfectly with a fully charged battery. Lately the ammeter needle is fluctuating rapidly all the time and shows a discharge constantly. I assumed since the battery voltage was normal that the gauge may be in question. I replaced the gauge and on initial start up, the gauge read perfectly. Slight charge and then steady just above 0. After about 3-4 minutes the needle fell to discharge and stayed there even though battery voltage, engine running, tested at the battery cables showed 14.5v steady. Ammeter needle was not wildly fluctuating like the first one though. I assume that I may actually have a new faulty ammeter. My experience with these Chinese gauges has not been good.
Also, there is a small capacitor mounted on the back of the gauge cluster metal housing. It was not plugged into anything. It's connector is a simple blade which is intended to be added to some other connector. I see no drawing of it in the AIM or my maintenance manual. Anyone know what this capacitor is for and what it plugs in to? I assume it's some type of noise filter but that's just a guess.
I hope some of you may some experience with this. It's giving me fits and other than another bad gauge, I'm out of ideas.
Thanks for any ideas!
Brad