1963 Battery Gauge stuck at Zero!

[Dan C.]

I have tried to read other postings to not be redundant but could not find an example where the gauge does not move. So for the electrical Buffs out there, here's the puzzle:

The battery gauge had full operation, negative and postive. I realized the capacitor attached to the mini cluster was not hooked up to the gauge, and (while forgetting to unhook the battery) I got under there to hook it up. In the process of doing so, I sparked the capacitor to the back of the gauge and there you have it. I am admitting my failure to my peers to begin the healing process.

I thought I fried the gauge right there, even though it was a it was a very small and quick spark - not a smoldering electrical charge. But to be on the safe side I pulled it and had it tested by Corvette Instruments in FL and Roger said it is A - OK. No damage to the gauge. Also noted, I did blow the 10 AMP fuse.

So upon reinstall of gauge, fuse and capacitor, the battery gauge needle does not move! I re-snugged the fuse box to firewall, checked voltage regulator clip-in and it is snug, battery cables are tight.... even put a load on it - left lights on, etc, just to see if I can get anything at all - and nothing. No movement negative or positive.

Any advise is greatly appreciated. I will test suggestions with the battery disconnected/connected as appropriate.

Thanks, Dan

[Dan C.]

1963 Battery Gauge stuck at Zero!

No power to gauge. Found damaged red wire from voltage regulator to horn relay. Need to find replacement with correct clips to the regulator and relay. Any supplier suggestions? Thanks, Dan

[William C.]

Re: 1963 Battery Gauge stuck at Zero!

You may have more fried in the harness. I'd check it out, harness replacement may be the easiest (if not the least espensive) way to go.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 Battery Gauge stuck at Zero!

Dan, is that wire suppose to be a fuseable link? Im not a c2 guy but alot of times battery sources have a fuseable link or fuse. as to protect from fires.

Fuseable link has a soft outer layer around the wires and when burnt out it will melt the outer layer and internal wire through.

[William C.]

Re: 1963 Battery Gauge stuck at Zero!

Fusible links were first used in '67.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 Battery Gauge stuck at Zero!

Bill thanks, never to old to learn.

Dan, if that wire burnt up inside other wires as Bill states you may want to untape the harness to see if theres other damage. if not, you maybe able to just get the same gage wire and color and cut to length , the connectors can be had, as can the plastic connectors. I was in carlise last summer and there was a vender there with about every conseviable connector and wire replacement connector.maybe someone will know the vender.I may have his bussiness card somewhere ,Ill look.

[Dan C.]

Re: 1963 Battery Gauge stuck at Zero!

The red wire from the voltage regulator to the horn relay was not burnt but apparently spliced and taped close to the VR clip connector. Not visible unless VR was pulled off. It was a rigged splice that was pulled loose.

I replaced the wire and now the gauge is running properly. I had to re-open the connector that holds the alternator wire and voltage regulator wire together (the connector that attaches to the horn relay) and re-crimped. I may want to replace that.

Edward, If you can reply with the contact for me, I will call them to see if they have that connector. Thanks for your comments. Dan