Wiring problems

Just picked up a '29 ford tudor, and the wiring under the stock gauge cluster looks like spaghetti. I made a mistake and un-bolted it to paint it, and now the ammeter buries to discharge when the engine is started. Instructions on the internet read, if you turn on your headlights and the ammeter doesn't move, then the meter could be bad or a loose wire. I have a couple more ammeters, and attached them to the existing wires. They react the same way. No reaction. I can't believe that all my ammeters are bad. Short of ripping out the wiring leading to the ammeter and rewiring the car, anyone have any suggestions.

 

Your ammeter is wired backwards, I think. But you have a bigger issue. Get yourself a new wiring kit from one of the name suppliers and rewire that thing before it burns to the ground. I would also replace the ammeter with a voltmeter as the data is much more meaningful and they are safer. There is a reason no new cars come with ammeters, but voltmeters instead. (not such high amperage coming into the ****pit) The kits come with easy to follow instructions and really do a nice job.

You say the wiring looks like spaghetti, and nothing will give you more fits in a car than wiring problems.

Don

 

Voltmeters are the way to go and they're easy to read for anyone. Lately I've been leaning to idiot lights though.

Bob

 

Thanks for your input, guys. I have an original cluster in this car (the original gas tank prevents me from changing gauge clusters) and I don't know if anyone has a voltmeter as small as the ammeter. The car hasn't left my garage since I got it and I do have a brand new wiring kit, on the shelf, so I may as well try to change it. Maybe it will be on the street, next year.

 

I have a 31 Vic with the stock tank with the same problem. I had enough room on the stock steering column drop to get a couple 5/16" holes in the upper portion and installed a long narrow piece of 1/4" aluminum, with a "U" at the column. I have the amp meter, and temp gauge on the right of the column and start ****on and hi-beam ind on the left. I did this back in 1978 and it's still there. Never hooked up the old original amp meter, too low capability, and TOO much current next to 10 gallons of gas!. The one in the panel is +-60.
BTW - every car/truck since has a volt meter, no amp meter.