Ampmeter reading plus 40

[Frank B.]

I have replaced the complete wire harness, amp meter, voltage regulator, capacitor, horn relay and alternator. The amp meter is on the plus side of zero when I start, but as the rpm's increase, so dose the amp meter reading to the plus 40 side. The alternator is putting out 12.6, the battery stays charged. Any suggestions on what happening

[Dan B.]

Re: Ampmeter reading plus 40

Frank, your voltage regulator is not working. Check the ground wire and plug connector for problems. If not, probably a bad regulator. I just replaced mine in my 64 because the lights were flickering a bit at low speed with one of the solid state units. Works much better now and all those annoying low charge problems are gone. You can use your original Delco cover for appearance if you like as well. Dan

[Frank B.]

Re: Ampmeter reading plus 40

I've gone through 3 regulators. I've looked online for a solid state regulator and I'm not sure which one to use. The folks at NAPA were not helpful. Can you tell me which one to try. Thanks.

[John H.]

Re: Ampmeter reading plus 40

I've gone through 3 regulators. I've looked online for a solid state regulator and I'm not sure which one to use. The folks at NAPA were not helpful. Can you tell me which one to try. Thanks.

Frank -

AutoZone has them - it used to be a Wells #VR-715; the other chains (Advance Auto Parts, O'Reilly's, etc.) probably have the same thing in a different box.

[Frank B.]

Re: Ampmeter reading plus 40

Thanks, I ordered it at Advanced Auto.

[Al P.]

Re: Ampmeter reading plus 40

Thanks, I ordered it at Advanced Auto.

Hi Frank,

Did this fix your high reading issue on the gauge?

Please update us.

Thanks!

[Frank B.]

Re: Ampmeter reading plus 40

Problem is not resolved, I installed a solid state regulator, put a new guage in rechecked all the contacts. Still getting a 40 plus reading at 50 plus mph.

[Jack H.]

Re: Ampmeter reading plus 40

It might be time to stop part swapping and do fault diagnostics... Most auto electric shops have a roll-out cart for charging system diagnostics that'll pin point the problem(s) in 10 minutes flat. Quite a few will do the diagnostics for free!

Heck, I've seen guys fight this/that only to find out in the end they failed to read the AIM and didn't include the voltage regulator discrete ground wire when they did their restoration... That's embarassing, but things like this can/do happen and without a trained eyeball looking at the complete functional system, we're only giving best efforts guesstimates on problem/fix!

[Wayne W.]

Re: Ampmeter reading plus 40

A wire is not hooked up right somewhere.

[Michael F.]

Re: Ampmeter reading plus 40

Problem is not resolved, I installed a solid state regulator, put a new guage in rechecked all the contacts. Still getting a 40 plus reading at 50 plus mph.

Is yours a 63 ? There should be a ground wire from the base of the regulator to the radiator support. If not a '63? I would still be looking at a ground wire issue.