Amp gage jumping to discharge and back? - Page 2

strictlypersonl · #21 (**permalink**) 04-19-2016, 05:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Wait a minute, didn't I write that?

But was it accompanied by the clouds parting and trumpets?

patrickt · #22 (**permalink**) 04-19-2016, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 750hp

My car has just started doing this. Hopefully not to hijack the thread but to add to the discussion, would this be a gauge issue or an earth issue? It might do this for a couple minutes then the fluctuations stop.
While the gauge is fluctuating, the headlights also pulse...

Well, that is not a "one time swing" with the current in-rush of the fan coming on (unless your fan is clicking on and off like a doorbell). What that is reminiscent of is a "chattering relay" type of activity. You know how you can wire a relay so that when it clicks on it disconnects itself, so it then clicks off, then it clicks back on, and then off, and it really almost acts like a buzzer? Anyway, what I would do is put an analog volt meter on your engine and confirm that the needle on that gauge is wiggling back and forth as well (and you can see that from under the hood). Assuming it does, and assuming you have an old-style mechanical voltage regulator, take the handle of your screwdriver and whack the voltage regulator and see if the needle wiggle stops for a second (or more). If that doesn't give you a clue, then the next step is to determine whether you have a variable load causing the needle twitch, or a variable charge rate causing the needle twitch.

JBCOBRA · #23 (**permalink**) 04-19-2016, 05:48 AM

Mine was doing the same thing. Turned out the diodes were shot in the alternator.
Had it rebuilt for 100 clams and now it works perfectly again.

DanEC · #24 (**permalink**) 04-19-2016, 10:28 AM

[quote=patrickt;1388260] take the handle of your screwdriver and whack the voltage regulator and see if the needle wiggle stops for a second (or more). QUOTE]

Sage advice from our electrical expert.

Antny · #25 (**permalink**) 07-12-2016, 06:34 AM

My ammeter needle started waving at me and the red charging lamp above the ignition key switch started flickering intermittently. Looks like I have an electrical gremlin to sort out. Ugh.

jhv48 · #26 (**permalink**) 07-12-2016, 10:04 AM

So, if we combine Patrick and Rick into one author/source, would we call them Pat-Rick or should we just shorten it to P-Rick?

Relax everyone, just had a funny idea.

patrickt · #27 (**permalink**) 07-12-2016, 10:09 AM

Ehhrrggg.

Don't SPF cars have that funky issue on the source of the 12v line for the voltage regulator coming from a flaky source? As I recall, it's a really easy fix. Antny should check that out first.

Antny · #28 (**permalink**) 07-12-2016, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Ehhrrggg.

Don't SPF cars have that funky issue on the source of the 12v line for the voltage regulator coming from a flaky source? As I recall, it's a really easy fix. Antny should check that out first.

Good to know! Thanks. Anyone have the info on how to address this? Why would it happen all of a sudden? Does something change over time to cause this issue? Thanks in advance!

Antny · #29 (**permalink**) 07-13-2016, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antny

Good to know! Thanks. Anyone have the info on how to address this? Why would it happen all of a sudden? Does something change over time to cause this issue? Thanks in advance!

Anybody? Anybody? Anyone know where I can find this info?

patrickt · #30 (**permalink**) 07-13-2016, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antny

Anybody? Anybody? Anyone know where I can find this info?

Shoot Blas a PM and ask him. He knows more about the SPF wiring than most, and has wiring diagrams as well. As I recall, certain SPF cars took the source voltage for the voltage regulators from either a bad connection or a spot in the circuits that did not accurately reflect the system voltage. But that's just from memory, and I don't own an SPF anyway. And that may, or may not, play a factor in your problem. If you had that problem, though, I would fix it first. Then, if you still have your charging needle goofy behavior, we'll lead you through the diagnosis. It is not difficult.

Antny · #31 (**permalink**) 07-13-2016, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patrickt

Shoot Blas a PM and ask him. He knows more about the SPF wiring than most, and has wiring diagrams as well. As I recall, certain SPF cars took the source voltage for the voltage regulators from either a bad connection or a spot in the circuits that did not accurately reflect the system voltage. But that's just from memory, and I don't own an SPF anyway. And that may, or may not, play a factor in your problem. If you had that problem, though, I would fix it first. Then, if you still have your charging needle goofy behavior, we'll lead you through the diagnosis. It is not difficult.

ok, will do. Thanks for the guidance!