Ammeter twitch

[sadil340]

My ammeter twitches slightly. Charge rate seems good, it's just the twitching that has me asking the question. Is it more likely to be from the voltage regulator or the alternator? Is there any way to test to isolate the cause?

Thanks!

[73_Cuda_4_Me]

With car sitting still? Any accessories on (like radio/amp)?

[sadil340]

With car sitting still? Any accessories on (like radio/amp)?

I noticed it while driving. I'll see if it does it while idling and will meter the alternator.

[1 Wild R/T]

Twitching Ammeter needle is typical/normal... It's one of the many reasons why lots of cars get converted to Volt meters....   When your Ammeter twitches look at what electrical loads can be effecting the gauge... Turn signals? Brake lights? A/C clutch? Loads that stay on or off for long periods usually don't concern drivers but when you look at the gauge & it's twitching drivers get nervous... You should consider how the gauge acts compared to what electrical loads are working... Also notice when the engine idles high current loads will will cause the ammeter to read a discharge then when the engine RPMs come up the ammeter will show a high charge rate till the battery recovers it's state of charge...

[sadil340]

I'm comparing the behavior of the ammeter to what it used to be - pretty steady either when charging or when at full charge it didn't used to twitch. Loads don't seem to affect it at all.

[sadil340]

 Here is a video of the ammeter twitching: https://hcpanywhere.mainline.com/u/x12cEPbdnKfVXZwQ/v2015-07-05T090943-0400.mov?l

Here is a video of a multimeter connected to the battery: https://hcpanywhere.mainline.com/u/ggqRw7OKkXuQCpHD/v2015-07-05T091228-0400.mov?l

[sadil340]

New info: the ammeter still twitches when the car is off with the key in the run position. I disconnected the voltage regulator and took out every fuse but it won't stop. Something behind the wiper motor (maybe the wiper motor itself) is making clicking noises. Def not the alternator or regulator. Will keep trying to isolate...

[brads70]

   curious as to what the problem is? 

[TelisSE440]

New info: the ammeter still twitches when the car is off with the key in the run position. I disconnected the voltage regulator and took out every fuse but it won't stop. Something behind the wiper motor (maybe the wiper motor itself) is making clicking noises. Def not the alternator or regulator. Will keep trying to isolate...

The wiper motor does need continuous current for it to work in any position. If you're hearing clicking sounds then disconnect it from the firewall bulkhead connector and watch it. As Wild R/T says, there has to be a device that uses momentarily the current like a turn signal, or could be a loose electrical connection, which happen in wiper motors...

[sadil340]

Just logged in to report the mystery solved when I see that ChallengerSE nailed it. The wiper motor is making the noise and drawing the current. Strange as it was totally restored by Jules and he was the best. Now I have to figure out what is causing the wiper motor to do this...

[roadman5312]

Does the wipers work correctly ? Do they park correctly ?  Maybe the wiper arms are not adjusted properly and the motor is constantly trying to park.    Just a thought. 

[TelisSE440]

Just logged in to report the mystery solved when I see that ChallengerSE nailed it. The wiper motor is making the noise and drawing the current. Strange as it was totally restored by Jules and he was the best. Now I have to figure out what is causing the wiper motor to do this...

  Actually you helped with what you told us.

[dutch]

the only thing I can think of that would be able to make the wiper motor click, would be the park switch mechanism on the reverse of the switch plate .   They get snatched down by the gear latch or bumped up.  I could imagine it touching just a bit 
To check, just remove 5 screws and turn the switch plate over and see if the long flipper is sitting on top of the shorter flat. Do mark the position of the plate before removal...

[sadil340]

the only thing I can think of that would be able to make the wiper motor click, would be the park switch mechanism on the reverse of the switch plate .   They get snatched down by the gear latch or bumped up.  I could imagine it touching just a bit 
To check, just remove 5 screws and turn the switch plate over and see if the long flipper is sitting on top of the shorter flat. Do mark the position of the plate before removal...

Excellent suggestion Bart, I will do that today.

Does the wipers work correctly ? Do they park correctly ?  Maybe the wiper arms are not adjusted properly and the motor is constantly trying to park.    Just a thought.

The wipers are not fully retracting and need help. When I push them down into the resting position I hear a click and assumed that meant the solenoid was accepting the correct position. I will be curious to see what's going on behind the plate.

[1 Wild R/T]

Clocking the park is how you set the park position so the fact the wipers don't fully park could mean the plate is slightly out of position...   Good catch....