Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Searched the archives and the tech info, but only find references to the gauges NOT working. In my case, both gauges rise after starting, and peg to the right above 3000 rpm. This is with the headlights on or off.

Don't know if it's related, but the ammeter is half-way to the right of zero.

So, should I bother checking the voltages on the little voltage regulator these two gauges share and/or replace it?

Any other thoughts? Thanks.

Pete
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Lake Forest Park, WA
1966 1600 (SPL311-00799)

It sounds like you have some charging problems. First off the ammeter should dip when you first start the car and then charge for several minutes eventually settling in the middle. If it is constantly charging you may have a bad battery(a short could be draining it), bad voltage regulator or an alternator on the fritz. Gauges going all the way to the right is a symptom of a short as it sounds like they are grounding out. That is how you can check gauges by grounding them out to see if the needle swings all the way to the right. Electrical gremlins are not much fun. I think you may have a short some where causing all of your problems.

Steve

...and now to make it more interesting, on the way home tonight, the ammeter stayed on the discharge side.

Guess the first thing is to have the alternator checked out (luckily, the seller included a new one), and move on from there.