1962 amp gauge needle doesn't move
I checked out a 62 today that has been driven little in the last few years and none at all in the last 6 months. When running, the amp needle stays in the middle. Revving the engine does nothing and pulling on the lights does nothing. I think that it probably is a bad connection at the amp meter or possibly a bad amp gauge. Nothing else makes sense. Any problems running the car like this? Bill
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Re: 1962 amp gauge needle doesn't move
A quick check to see if it is charging is to put a voltmeter across the battery and see what it reads off and running. Should be about 14 volts running and should stay within that range with the lights on if your generator is working, just a quick check.
Phil -
Re: 1962 amp gauge needle doesn't move
The fact that the amp gauge doesn't show a negative when the lights are pulled on suggests to me that there is a problem with the gauge, either with the connections or the gauge itself.Comment
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Re: 1962 amp gauge needle doesn't move
Willard
Agree with Phillip about testing at the battery, if you get 14 volts then your gauge is probably the source of the problem. Check the wires against a good schematic to make sure everything is wired correctly. If you don't get 14 volts and the battery has been disconnected you will need to polarize the generator. You do this by taking a pirce of wire and touching the armature terminal and the battery terminal on the voltage regulator for just a split second. If this solves the problem you are good to go, if not have the generator checked.( most auto parts stores can do this) If the generator is ok then replace voltage regulator and yes you will have to polarize it after installation. Let us know what you find out.
TerryComment
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Re: 1962 amp gauge needle doesn't move
I will indeed do this check when I get it home. I bought it yesterday but transportation here in Maine is an issue. It is in Northern Maine up a windy road so it will have to stay in its warm garage for several weeks before I can retrieve it. I still don't understand why no negative reading on the amp gauge when the lights are turned on. The battery has been disconnected for some time. By the way it's a red/red, two top car with what looks to be the original RF motor, currently running a 3269 carb. Perfect frame, new brakes, exhaust, fresh engine, perfect chrome, etc.Comment
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Re: 1962 amp gauge needle doesn't move
I keep my battery on an automatic charger. As a result, it's always fully charged, and the ammeter needle doesn't move much. After I start it, the needle will go into the "+" side. But not for long. Then it'll quickly go "0." If I put the headlights on when the car is running, the needle will dip momentarily and only a little bit into the "-" side, and then quickly recover and go to "0." My point is that if you weren't watching closely, it'd seem the needle always sat on "0." Yes, it should move. But it may not move much, and when it does, with a good battery, it'll quickly recover.Comment
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Re: 1962 amp gauge needle doesn't move
I think I would start simple and go from there, the wiring under the dash while not hard to understand electrically it is not for anyone with hands bigger than a 1 year old. It requires some very carefull removal. It may very well be the guage, but I would check the easy things first, just my two pennies. Sounds like a nice car.
PhilComment
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Re: 1962 amp gauge needle doesn't move
Well the old fuelie is now home. In looking under the dash I see my problem-the amp gauge is by-passed. I suspect that the gauge was problematic at some point in the past and was by-passed. I would ask the previous owner but he is deceased. He was a friend of mine who owned the car for 20 years, slowly putting it back to proper shape. I have a new amp gauge coming so that when I get it out I can replace it immediately and then get mine rebuilt and then sold. BillComment
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Re: 1962 amp gauge needle doesn't move
The wiring diagram in the factory shop manual (ST-12) is backwards for the amp gauge. If you hooked it up according to the manual, it'd read in reverse. That is, when it showed charging, it was discharging, and vice-versa. The fix is simple. Reverse the connections and it'll read properly. That may be why the gauge was bypassed.
In the "while you're in there" department, you may notice that your car's ignition system doesn't have circuit protection. Look up "fusible link" in the archives. Consider doing this.Comment
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Re: 1962 amp gauge needle doesn't move
I was aware of the wire reversal in the ST-12 but I assume that it worked fine at some point. Later this month I plan to crawl under and chase down the problem. Fusible links do not seem to have a universal endorsement. I have put them in other 62's that I have had but Ron Francis wiring shows how they are problematic. I'm still undecided about fusible links but I agree that if they are to be installed that's the time.Comment
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Re: 1962 amp gauge needle doesn't move
Willard, Post a few pictures of the car!Comment
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