volt guage jumping

racer24 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2004, 09:03 PM

I have autometer volt guage . The needle jumps around sometimes , all over the place. Is this a short in wiring or faulty guage. Is there a way to test this with out ripping all the wiring out.

rich

Ron61 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-09-2004, 06:54 AM

Rich,

this could be a loose connection. Does it happen more on bumpy roads and rides or all the time? If you have a volt-ohm meter, and can get to the leads going to your volt meter, connect them to the volt-ohm meter and go for a drive and see if it bunces around. If not, then check the gauge and the connectors to it. I put spade connectors on all of mine for this purpose. Just takes a minute to disconnect the in dash gauge and connect it to one in the seat and I can then determine which way to look. And never forget the famous loose ground connection.

Ron

CobERA · #3 (**permalink**) 05-09-2004, 01:01 PM

I noticed the same thing on my SW ammeter last weekend.

Turned out to be a loose ground wire at the voltage regulator. Once I tightened the ground wire, everything was fine.

racer24 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-09-2004, 05:21 PM

Rick
looks like you may have pointed me in the right direction.
The wiring at the regulator seems a little loose in one of the
connectors . I'll get it checked out and let you know. Got a
H.S. graduation this week so I may not even get to it for a week.
Probably engine vibration and good ole ILLINOIS ROADS.
I'll let you know later.

thanks

Rich