The Forward Look Network
The Forward Look Network
Search | Statistics | User Listing Forums | Chat | eBay | Calendars | Albums | Skins | Language
You are logged in as a guest. ( logon | register )

56 Dodge Ampmeter is jumping,clicking
Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page]		View previous thread :: View next thread
   Forward Look Technical Discussions -> Electrical, Battery and ChargingMessage format
 
kari613
Posted 2014-11-16 11:06 AM (#462017)
Subject: 56 Dodge Ampmeter is jumping,clicking


Veteran

Posts: 112
100
Location: Lake Havasu , Arizona		My 56 Dodge factory dash amp meter just started clicking and the needle is jumping around. The battery is charging OK. Help please?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
GaryS
Posted 2014-11-16 12:03 PM (#462022 - in reply to #462017)
Subject: Re: 56 Dodge Ampmeter is jumping,clicking



Expert

Posts: 1208
1000100100
Location: Ponder, TX		My guess....the old points style voltage regulator is going bad. I've often extended their life by removing the regulator cover and filing the points.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ttotired
Posted 2014-11-16 4:48 PM (#462039 - in reply to #462017)
Subject: Re: 56 Dodge Ampmeter is jumping,clicking



Expert 5K+

Posts: 8445
50002000100010010010010025
Location: Perth Australia		UMMMM

In honestey, I have not personally seen a 56 dodge amp meter, but assuming they are made the same way as the other 20 000 amp meters out there, I would advise that you immediately go to the car and dis connect your battery!!!!!!!!!

Apart from the needle in the gauge hitting on a stop (dont think yours will have stops in it), there is nothing inside an amp meter to "click"

A sound like that would indicate to me that the amp meter is starting to short (IS SHORTING) out, meaning that it has melted the insulators and is (if it hasnt already) about to melt your wiring harness (best outcome) or burn your car (and house if its inside).

YOU MUST FIND THIS NOISE FOR SURE BEFORE YOU DRIVE IT AGAIN

My car had this damage when I bought it, although, my car does not hav an amp meter, this is the same wire that will burn in yours if I am right.





(Dash removal (48)s.JPG)



(Wiring 001s.JPG)



(Wiring 12s.JPG)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Dash removal (48)s.JPG (129KB - 129 downloads)
Attachments Wiring 001s.JPG (95KB - 138 downloads)
Attachments Wiring 12s.JPG (94KB - 137 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
rushpowersystems
Posted 2014-11-16 7:36 PM (#462049 - in reply to #462017)
Subject: Re: 56 Dodge Ampmeter is jumping,clicking


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 524
500
Location: West Jordan		Not to disagree with my wise brother from down under, but it sounds like your gauge is going out. But that is absolutely correct, there is a real chance that you can fry your harness, especially if you have upgraded your charging system.

If the gauge is jumping from charge to discharge it could be the regulator and it should be tested. But if it is jumping from 0 to charge or just a short swing in the charge range I would stop driving it until you work it out.

Here is an easy way to test it. Take some jumper cables, red clamp on the alternator / generator battery post and the red clamp on the other end on the battery positive, make sure it is out of the way of the fan and start the engine. Check at your battery with a volt meter, if it is jumping around on the volt meter it is most likely the regulator, if it is stable it is in the wiring or gauge.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
61ChryslerMan
Posted 2014-11-16 9:42 PM (#462058 - in reply to #462017)
Subject: Re: 56 Dodge Ampmeter is jumping,clicking



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 470
1001001001002525
Location: the Great Northeast		The ammeter on my 61 Newport swings wildly when I run night lites. Daytime gives normal start up swing and quickly settles on neutral. The night problems started after I got a guage upgrade and they put a new style chip in it to keep it from frying easily. I think ill try your battery check. That makes sense.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ttotired
Posted 2014-11-17 3:46 AM (#462068 - in reply to #462017)
Subject: Re: 56 Dodge Ampmeter is jumping,clicking



Expert 5K+

Posts: 8445
50002000100010010010010025
Location: Perth Australia		A ne style chip?

Do you mean for the fuel and temp gauge regulator?

So you have had the dash out (gauges)?

If so, I am thinking that you may have left the nuts loose on the amp meter, again, big potential for big problems

To follow what Darren said about the jumper leads, if you have a generator, have the engine running at a fast idle befor you connect the leads to the D+ terminal on the genny

You are basically bypassing a set of contacts in the reg that dis connects the battery from the genny with this lead, so if you do it with the engine off, you could do damage

Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page]
Jump to forum :
Search this forum
Printer friendly version
E-mail a link to this thread

* * * This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated * * *


(Delete all cookies set by this site)