No power

[moparstables]

I finally got to the point of hooking up the battery, on our 1971 Cuda, but I only have power to the ammeter. I don't have power past this point. I have studied the wiring diagram and I don't see any other power source leading to the dash. Anybody know if I should be getting power coming out of the other side of the ammeter? It looks like I should and that powers a lot of items. Any ideas?

 

[74 challenger]

All I know is that was one of the main problems on the challengers for burned up wires. There is a write up on how to take some of the load on the main line. I would believe your ammeter is bad. Power gos in it should go out. Have you checked/cleaned all connections on your bulkhead? Did you try using a test light on the ammeter with the wire hot? You could get a fuse link and jump the ammeter to see if thats the problem. just to check it ,not a fix it. Hopefully someone on here with a cuda can help.

 

[moparstables]

Thanks

 

[moparleo]

Attach both leads to the ammeter together. If everything works ok, you need a new gauge and should convert to volt meter.

 

[moparstables]

I will try that. If I convert to a volt meter do I need to do anything other than hooking it up?

 

[moparleo]

Here is an article that explains what the problem is and how to fix it.
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

 

[moparstables]

Thanks that was a big help.