1959 electrical problem

[Charles K.]

I'm putting together a1959. I've got it running, new, engine, new wiring harness. Everything is fine, system is charging, but amp gage reads just the opposite. Shows charge when it should show discharge, and shows discharge when it is charging. Any helps on whats wrong wou7ld be appreciated.

[Jack H.]

Re: 1959 electrical problem

(1) Is ammeter connected properly? Reversing the connecting wires will result in the meter reading backwards.

(2) Did you polarize the generator as required whenever it's been disconnected from the electrical system and re-installed?

[Charles K.]

Re: 1959 electrical problem

Thanks for the quick response. I did polarize the Voltage regulator. I connected the wires on the amp according to the wiring diagram, or I should say according to the positions shown on the diagram. Are the terminals on the back of the amp gage marked?

[John H.]

Re: 1959 electrical problem

Thanks for the quick response. I did polarize the Voltage regulator. I connected the wires on the amp according to the wiring diagram, or I should say according to the positions shown on the diagram. Are the terminals on the back of the amp gage marked?

Charles -

The factory wiring diagrams are all in error, and show the ammeter connections backwards. The black feed wire from the starter goes on the terminal closest to the driver's door, and the red load wires all go on the terminal closest to the passenger side door. Disconnect the battery and relocate the wires and you should be in business.

[Charles K.]

Re: 1959 electrical problem

John,
Thank you!! I was hoping that would be the solution

[Charles K.]

Re: 1959 electrical problem

I hope this gets to Jack Humphrey. I'm having more trouble directing my replys to the right person, than I'm having with my electrical problem. Anyway, thanks for the help, jack!

[Richard M.]

Re: 1959 electrical problem

Charles -

The factory wiring diagrams are all in error, and show the ammeter connections backwards. The black feed wire from the starter goes on the terminal closest to the driver's door, and the red load wires all go on the terminal closest to the passenger side door. Disconnect the battery and relocate the wires and you should be in business.

I discovered this error years ago and always wondered......Obviously at the factory most if not all of the workers knew about this AIM error, but I wonder how many new guys that came in for their first day in the wiring dept section of the assembly line knew about it.

How many cars went through with the 2 ammeter wires reversed and how many had to get rewired at final inspection when they drove the cars out the door? Must have been a real pain. Hard to believe the AIM never got corrected on all 5 years worth of copies from 58 to 62.

Rich

[Charles K.]

Re: 1959 electrical problem

Rich,
Thanks for the reply. I got a e-mail from John Hinkley. I switched the wires on my amp gage and now it reads correctly.

Chuck

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1959 electrical problem

Charles,
When I wired my 57 based on the GM diagram I had the amp meter reading discharge all the time.
After much thought I reversed the wires and the amp meter has worked fine ever since.
Believe me I held my breath when I first turned on the key.

[Charles K.]

Re: 1959 electrical problem

Bruce, Thanks for replying. Although I was told that this was the fix, I also held my breath when I turned the key!
Chuck

[Jack H.]

Re: 1959 electrical problem

I don't understand why folks are holding their breath... The ammeter is nothing more than a voltmeter. They simply read backwards when you cross the probe wires...

[Loren L.]

Re: 1959 electrical problem

As I recall, this problem might have been initially addressed by Mike Ernst
WAY, WAY, BACK THEN......