C2- Method to Determine Condition of Ammeter on a 63

[Brad K.]

I need a little guidance on how to check the quality of the ammeter on a '63.......Preferably in the car.....But I'll remove the cluster if necessary. It's been acting a little goofy lately
Remember that I am NOT an electrician......so please go slowly. Thanks in advance!

[John H.]

Re: C2- Method to Determine Condition of Ammeter on a 63

I need a little guidance on how to check the quality of the ammeter on a '63.......Preferably in the car.....But I'll remove the cluster if necessary. It's been acting a little goofy lately
Remember that I am NOT an electrician......so please go slowly. Thanks in advance!

Brad -

Define "goofy" - what's it doing, and when? The battery gauge hardly ever fails, but the circuits that drive it do (voltage regulator, wiring, connections at the starter solenoid and horn relay for the sense wires, mating terminal corrosion in the 8-way bulkhead connector for the two sense wires, etc.).

[Stuart F.]

Re: C2- Method to Determine Condition of Ammeter on a 63

I only learned mine worked when I had a connector fail on the alternator. It then showed a slight discharge that got my attention. Then, when I performed a tempory in field fix, I was able to re-start the engine ok and it showed a fair amount of charge - the first time in a long time that I've seen that. So, perhaps that would qualify as goofy - at least it did with me. I will no longer expect any significant reading unless I realy have a problem.

Stu Fox

[Brad K.]

Re: C2- Method to Determine Condition of Ammeter on a 63

I spoke with the owner today......He expected to see small movement out of the battery gauge....ANY kind of movement. That's what I meant when I said it was acting "goofy". When it never moves except for unusual circumstances (like Stu's mentioned above). I guess it means that the needle should hardly move at all. BUT....is there a method to test an battery guage to see if it works?? By "works" I mean small needle movement when.....starting the engine, turning on the lights, using the brake lights, etc.

See there....I TOLD YOU....I wasn't an electrian!! The only electrical thing I ever learned in collage was when I put a knot in an extension cord....it won't work because the electrons can't get through!! Thanks again.....Brad Kasten

[Stuart F.]

Re: C2- Method to Determine Condition of Ammeter on a 63

Brad;

While mine was showing the slight discharge, when I turned on my directionals you would see an even more exagerated needle deflection to the left. Under previous "normal" conditions, you'd barely be able to notice any movement at all. I fixed my problem yesterday using the connector from a new pigtail. The original connector just crumbled in my fingers when I removed it. Not too bad for 50 year old plastic. I chose to stay with the original wires rather than make a spliced repair with the new pigtail which, no matter how good of surgery I did, would no doubt be noticeable.

[William C.]

Re: C2- Method to Determine Condition of Ammeter on a 63

You may need to temper your expectations a little, the "ammeter" is actually a sensitive voltmeter that senses charge/discharge by measuring the voltage drop across a length of small gauge wire in the harness. Connections must be clean especially the ones on the connection from the engine compartment to the interior.