ammeter question - Diesel Forum

diesel4me2 · 03-10-2007, 06:34 PM

hi everybody

what would make my ammeter stay on after i turn off the key? it drops when i cycle glow plugs, so i'm -assuming- the gauge is working
it's killing my batteries, [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/depressed.gif[/img] any ideas
thanks
chris

adephue · 03-10-2007, 07:27 PM

My gauge does exactly the same thing. When I turn off the engine the gauge stays where it is when the engine shuts down. When I turn on, gauge drops due to glow plugs.

I hope it is normal, mine has always done this.

cdnsarguy · 03-10-2007, 07:44 PM

Is it in fact killing your batteries or are you just thinking out loud.

diesel4me2 · 03-10-2007, 08:09 PM

as far as i can tell -testing w/ my fluke- its still drawing power.
dead batteries in 2 or 3 days. batteries are 2 weeks old. should i be getting power there, or am i missing something obvious, it has been known to happen in the past

arthurgoboom · 03-11-2007, 12:22 AM

My dad's van would randomly kill the batteries while sitting unused occasionally, we never figured out what the cause was. It hasn't done it in maybe half a year now, but we did end up having to change the alternator last fall, maybe it was something in the alternator creating a draw. To isolate the condition, maybe try unhooking the wires on the alternator and see if your draw goes away.

I don't know if that's the problem or not, just an idea.

OkieGringo · 03-11-2007, 03:36 PM

I replaced my alternator and regulator a few months ago. Bought them at O'Reilley's. Alternator would charge, but would go "full field" and start putting out 18vdc and blow fuses and circuit breakers. Even when sitting, turned off, it would drain the batteries stone dead in just a day. Took the alternator and regulator back and got replacements. Same result. I contemplated taking it to a electric shop, but would cost $60/hr to chase it down. So, on a whim, I went to Autozone and bought a new regulator. Everything works perfect now. Moral of the story....just because it's new, don't mean it ain't a "Piece of Autolite/CRAP". [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]OkieGringo

GaryBecker · 03-11-2007, 05:47 PM

Ammeter or voltage meter? If it's the stock volt meter I think that's just the place they sit when you shut down. If you can get a meter on the back side and see if there is really anything there as far as voltage goes...

93

diesel4me2 · 03-11-2007, 05:57 PM

thanks for all the replys i'm checking the voltage regulator next

arthurgoboom · 03-11-2007, 09:47 PM

Forgot to mention, in my story we changed the voltage regulator as well. At $10 for the Advance Auto special you can't go wrong.