Ammeter heating up.........

gdrill · Mar 13, 2016

While working on my 69 road runner I had my hand up under the dash and found the positive post on the ammeter to be hot. I gave it a wiggle and it was loose. So first instinct, tighten it up, which I did. The next day I removed the cluster for other repairs. When I took things apart I found the "cardboard" insulation layer on the inside of the cluster had crumbled and fallen off. Hence why it was loose. Of course when I had tightened up the posts the day before I had actually pulled them both against ground. My suspicion is that this is the cause of many people having issues with this system, due to the fact you wont see it unless you actually pull the cluster out. I've read horror stories of heating up and meltdowns. So I used rubber washers for my replacement. They actually were from a faucet repair kit. They fit well, are firm and I believe will be superior to the original material. I had to thin down the two on the inside as they are thicker than the original cardboard. Just thought I would share this and see if anyone agrees with my hypothesis or thinks I should have done something different.

bm02tj · Mar 13, 2016

They will be ok for a few years
go to a appliance repair spot and pick up some proper insulating washers

Dennis H · Mar 13, 2016

Remove all power and connections to the meter. Horror stories are worse than that, try burned to the ground.

- - - Updated - - -

Remove all power and connections to the meter. Horror stories are worse than that, try burned to the ground. If it is not charging, it won't start.

clazar · Mar 13, 2016

There is a guy on ebay that sells those insulators. If you can't find him, I have an extra. PM me if needed.

Chuck

Lionized · Mar 13, 2016

You could also reproduce the original size/shape in phenolic sheet.

HT413 · Mar 13, 2016

Dennis H said:
Remove all power and connections to the meter. Horror stories are worse than that, try burned to the ground.

X2.

gdrill · Mar 14, 2016

I am going to do a bypass on the ammeter charging circuit.

Thanx guys

super-bee_ski · Mar 14, 2016

Smart choice!

moparjohnny · Mar 14, 2016

was the washers on the back from the factory i am just learning some of these things,is it a must have them on the bolts?i am going to use the alternator re route system and the headlight relay system to eliminate some of that burdon on the ammeter and replace my bulkhead and connectors with new stuff.these cars brand new did not have these problems,it just that the systems has gotten old and need replacing with new stuff,and we are adding all this new power stuff on the systems that puts a strain on these old systems.

gdrill · Mar 14, 2016

There was a piece of the original material both inside and outside of the cluster insulating the posts from it / ground.

KENTON · Mar 14, 2016

You might find a volt meter that will fit where the amp gauge was, power it when the key is on. Tie the red and black wires together, red is + black is also +. Almost all the power is going threw that little gauge. Also a 10 gauge wire from the alt. around the radiator support to the battery. This takes a lot of amps from under the dash.

gdrill · Mar 14, 2016

Thanx Kenton. That is what I was thinking of doing. I've read the whole charging system is running through that gauge. Silly.

Nacho-RT74 · Mar 17, 2016

No need for remove or bypass the ammeter if you do everything correctly and upgrade the alt.

Make a search about parallel charging wiring. I have post some info about. Then you decide

Ammeter heating up.........

gdrill

Just enjoying "B"-ing here

bm02tj

Well-Known Member

Dennis H

FBBO Gold Member

clazar

FBBO Gold Member

Lionized

Well-Known Member

HT413

Semi Pro Bowler

gdrill

Just enjoying "B"-ing here

super-bee_ski

FBBO Gold Member

moparjohnny

Well-Known Member

gdrill

Just enjoying "B"-ing here

KENTON

Well-Known Member

gdrill

Just enjoying "B"-ing here

Nacho-RT74

Well-Known Member

Similar threads