Volt meter inoperative

[mcditalia]

When I purchased my 66, the volt meter didn't work, stays at 0. Where do I start to check with this?


Thanks in advance,

MC

 

[muddywaters]

Volt meter

With a tester of some sort, see if your getting power to the meter first, check sending unit and wiring also before deadlining voltmeter

 

[muddywaters]

Voltmeter

I'm sorry, there is no sending unit for voltmeter, it is connected to the alt/gen or voltage regulator.

 

[JohnZ]

It's not a voltmeter, it's an ammeter (well, actually it's a sensitive voltmeter that reads out as an ammeter); at any rate, it should show "0" or just a hair to the right of "0" most of the time, except immediately after starting the engine.

If it doesn't ever move from "0" at all, it's probably corroded connections inside the inboard multiple connector on the engine side of the fuse block on the firewall. That connector has an 18-ga. black/white wire from the ammeter to the horn relay screw connection, and an 18-ga. black wire from the ammeter to the big stud on the starter solenoid.

Disconnect the battery ground cable, remove the connector (carefully - don't break the lock tabs), clean all the terminals with a toothbrush and electrical contact cleaner, apply a film of dielectric grease to all the terminals, and re-connect it. Also a good idea to disassemble and clean the terminals at the horn relay and starter solenoid too.

If that doesn't cure it, the ammeter MAY be history, but it's usually wiring, not the gauge.

 

[JOliver]

These gauges(Ammeters) are fragile...Seen many of them smoked ....The other three gauges are fairly durable but the 63-67 ammeters are very easy to smoke.


Jason
VetteInstruments@aol.com

 

[magicv8]

The (galvanometer) meter will move slightly when connected to a 9volt dry cell (typically used in toys, smoke detectors). If it does not, it needs to be repaired/replaced. Have there been any repairs to the engine harness lately. If the starter wiring goes - the shunt is fried and the total current goes through the helpless meter.

They are repaired by opening the can and soldering the burned ends of the winding together - worked for me. If it is fried and you repair or replace it, IMO put a 1 amp fuse in the meter line to protect it.