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07-12-2017, 02:43 PM | #1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Houston, Tx.
Posts: 10
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58 chevy truck amp gauge wiring help needed
I've got the entire gauge cluster out of my '58 chevy stepside & just installed a new fuel gauge.
When I removed the 2 wires on back of the amp gauge, they weren't marked. I connected power back to the battery, checked each wire, & both have constant 12 v. to ground. I called the shop that rebuilt my speedometer couple yrs ago, he told me only one should be constant hot, 2nd wire should be load going to lights etc. Running a 77 350 engine, & complete drive train is from a 77 malibu. Can't recall ever seeing the gauge needle reading wrong when it was hooked up. Need some advise. |
07-12-2017, 03:16 PM | #2 | |
Msgt USAF Ret
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Posts: 8,707
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Re: 58 chevy truck amp gauge wiring help needed
Quote:
Prior to 1963 all the positive current ran through the Amp meter which only read up to 60 amps. GM decided to go to a battery gauge which only measures a tiny current that shows whether the alternator is charging or not. It also reduces the fire hazard from a short with this type meter, since it is fused only with a fusible link at the battery. This is your wiring diagram and not knowing which wire goes to which side of the ampmeter only means that the meter will read backwards showing negative amperage (discharge) when it is really charging. You may be able to read the diagram and figure out which of your wires goes where. You probably have a generator instead of an alternator as shown in the diagram but the general wiring is the same.
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VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative. |
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07-13-2017, 10:20 AM | #3 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Houston, Tx.
Posts: 10
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Re: 58 chevy truck amp gauge wiring help needed
Quote:
The 2 wires from back of the gauge are not shorted to ground. My test leads one on ground, other on a wire is reading 12 volts. I was told that if I had both wires off the back of the amp gauge that only one wire should have constant 12 volt reading, but I'm reading 12 volts on either wire. Yesterday I removed the wires at the alternator, & was still reading 12 volts on either wire. |
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07-13-2017, 12:04 PM | #4 | |
Msgt USAF Ret
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Posts: 8,707
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Re: 58 chevy truck amp gauge wiring help needed
Quote:
If you have the ampmeter wires off can you get anything to work like the loghts or horn or heater fan. This would help find the current crossover. Do you have any mix and match from the malibu drive train concerning electrics, like an external voltage regulator, or alternator that would need to be hot all the time with key off?
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VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative. |
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07-15-2017, 12:45 PM | #5 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Houston, Tx.
Posts: 10
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Re: 58 chevy truck amp gauge wiring help needed
Quote:
Replaced my fuel gauge, put everything else back together, cranked the engine, amp gauge just stays in the middle, no matter if key is off, or engine running. I paid somebody to rewire the entire truck over 20 yrs ago when the front clip was done. Never really paid much attention to the amp gauge or the wiring until now. Don't think it was ever wired correctly. Trying decide if I should buy a replacement amp gauge, or find an auto electric specialist to help me out. Don't think there should always be 12 v constant power @ each of the 2 terminals on back of the amp meter. |
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07-15-2017, 10:25 PM | #6 | |
Msgt USAF Ret
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Posts: 8,707
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Re: 58 chevy truck amp gauge wiring help needed
Quote:
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VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative. |
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