Amp Meter Question

dz01

Member
Mar 31, 2005
274
10
19
Massachusetts
How is the amp meter on a 68 mustang supposed to work? I never really noticed, but my amp meter stays at the half way mark whether the car is on or off. I've noticed other dash pics where the meter is also in the middle when the car is off.
 
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So I turned the key to acc and hit the headlights. I saw a tiny movement toward “D” which I think is a good sign however I subsequently pulled the battery cables and the needle didn’t move. Stayed right between the D and C. I would have thought a battery disconnect would have changed the needle.
 
Disconnecting the battery shouldn't have changed anything.....the Amp meter measures/shows you the amount of current going out of (D-discharge) or into the battery....It will move the most right after you start the car and the battery sucks up new charge to replace what it used to start.
 
Disconnecting the battery shouldn't have changed anything.....the Amp meter measures/shows you the amount of current going out of (D-discharge) or into the battery....It will move the most right after you start the car and the battery sucks up new charge to replace what it used to start.

Thx. So my needle being centered on the gauge whether the car is running or off and with the battery disconnected is normal? I should only see slight movement when starting the car? I'll have to check this next time I drive the car.
 
the ammeter is one gauge that doesnt move much at all. in fact you dont want it to move much at all as going to the D or discharge side means the system is pulling current from the battery. the more the needle moves, the more current is being drawn off the battery. same with the C or charge side. again small movements are what you want to see. too much either way and you have trouble brewing.
 
the ammeter is one gauge that doesnt move much at all. in fact you dont want it to move much at all as going to the D or discharge side means the system is pulling current from the battery. the more the needle moves, the more current is being drawn off the battery. same with the C or charge side. again small movements are what you want to see. too much either way and you have trouble brewing.
Thx. Sounds like mine is good. Just figured battery pulled would go to D.