Battery Gauge Question 1968

[Kurt B.]

1968 small block
Everything on car is new.
John Pirkle Alternator and voltage regulator.

Battry gauge flickers at 0 when it used to be steady.
Car has been completely restored 2 years ago to factory original
Everything works perfect; battery gauge needle flickers and never did before
What causes this?
Kurt

Kurt

[Anthony S.]

Re: Battery Gauge Question 1968

Kurt, a loose connection can cause this, most likely at the starter/solenoid, check those connections first; but could be elsewhere. Tony

[Jim T.]

Re: Battery Gauge Question 1968

Kurt let me know if you find the reason for the flicker. My 68 has been doing this for a very long time, not 100% consistancy though.
My 70 has always been fine.

[Paul H.]

Re: Battery Gauge Question 1968

My 68 does the same thing. Flickers erratically at idle and low rpm's. Stays steady just to the positive side when cruising along. I have checked all the usual suspects and have no charging problems.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Battery Gauge Question 1968

I don't know if '68 is the same as '69 but check the ammeter connection at the horn relay. Mine was loose and cause the same thing. Re soldered the terminal end and cured the problem.
Jeff

[Kurt B.]

Re: Battery Gauge Question 1968

Jeffrey,
Where is the horn relay?
Is it under the shift console?

I noticed last night that when I turn off the radio, the battery gauge stops flickering.
I have an amp wired into the battery and radio in the center glove box.
Could it have something to do with the amp?
I am stupid when it ocmes to electrical in a car.
Kurt

[Jim T.]

Re: Battery Gauge Question 1968

Kurt the horn relay on our 68's is between the master cylinder and the voltage regulator tucked up sorta under the top of the fender. My original horn relay is not painted.

[Kurt B.]

Re: Battery Gauge Question 1968

Thanks all
I will try to track this problem down this weekend starting with the horn relay and the starter connections.
Kurt

[Steven G.]

Re: Battery Gauge Question 1968

Kurt, when the radio if off, amp. guage works fine, right, if so make sure the speakers are correct for the radio, check grounds and also use a volt meter to check the charging system about 14.6 volts max. or you can remove either battery terminal while engine is running and engine should not cut off if charging system is working, a battery cut off switch works great for this simple test. Steve

[Kurt B.]

Re: Battery Gauge Question 1968

Steven,

I tired your test with engien running and turend off the battery cut off switch and engine kept running fine and gauge was steady so I think the charging system is owrkign fine.
I found no loose connections at starter or horn relay.
Everthing seems fine and gauge is steady for now, but don't know when it will start to flicker/bounce again.
I'm puzzled.
Kurt