E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Electrical & Audio => Topic started by: BIGSHCLUNK on June 25, 2019, 08:14:37 PM

Title: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: BIGSHCLUNK on June 25, 2019, 08:14:37 PM
Just at idle I get needle bounce bad on the volt gauge.  Goes away with a few R's. I have not had charging system issues. I did have the same bounce when it was an amp gauge. Seems to have gotten worse. Where do I check? What do I look for ?  :notsure:
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: Cuda Cody on June 25, 2019, 08:37:09 PM
You changed the amp gauge and it still bounces?  Is it a bad gauge?  Is it the vibration from the car idle causing it?   :huh:
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: BIGSHCLUNK on June 25, 2019, 08:41:56 PM
 :thinking: ... don't think the gauge is bad.....  :notsure:  As for the vibration, the bounce doesn't the idle.
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: Chryco Psycho on June 25, 2019, 09:02:31 PM
Voltage typically will fluctuate at idle as the Reg switches often there is not enough rpm to keep it steady as you are finding it becomes steady as the RPM rises ,
the situation might improve with a different reg or alt . It seems the gauge is accurate  :bigthumb:
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: BIGSHCLUNK on June 26, 2019, 03:17:13 PM
I'm starting to wonder it it's just not from the LOW output @ low R's. But then I would think  :notsure: NIKKI would not be the only one with this issue. I dont recall any other threads over the years mentioning this (C-C, D-C, FEBO, FBBO ).  I can live with it providing there's no FIRE related issue................  :stop:
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: Chryco Psycho on June 26, 2019, 03:23:28 PM
How old is the reg ?
Most are Chinese made now , mine would only last one year on my Cummins
That is the first part I would replace to see if it changes anything
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: Bullitt- on June 26, 2019, 05:10:35 PM
test at the battery with a separate meter to confirm the voltage is fluctuating.
I'd guess there is a poor connection somewhere, perhaps the blue wire to the voltage regulator or alternator... or a poor ground  :alan2cents: 
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: dodj on June 26, 2019, 07:12:42 PM
It's the gauge. No automotive voltmeter responds that quickly to spikes. That is a voltmeter dressed up as an ammeter?
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: dodj on June 26, 2019, 07:16:30 PM
Quote from: BIGSHCLUNK on June 25, 2019, 08:41:56 PM
As for the vibration, the bounce doesn't the idle.
Not sure I understand this?
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: BIGSHCLUNK on June 27, 2019, 10:05:54 AM
The bounce does not correspond to the idle. If that makes sense??  Seems to bounce faster (per se)  And it doesn't take many R's to get it to level out

I did swap out the reg a few years back - made no difference.  I'm sure its qwong hong dong.....

Yes I've done the voltmeter conversion 3-4 years ago by now. 
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: dodj on June 27, 2019, 12:04:29 PM
Do you have an analog voltmeter to test with to confirm or deny  it is the gauge?
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: BIGSHCLUNK on June 27, 2019, 07:40:31 PM
I still have a craftsman engine analyser! ya it's analog for sure. 
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: dodj on June 27, 2019, 07:43:24 PM
Quote from: BIGSHCLUNK on June 27, 2019, 07:40:31 PM
I still have a craftsman engine analyser! ya it's analog for sure.
Now there's a classic!
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: BIGSHCLUNK on June 27, 2019, 07:51:12 PM
just like BIGS....  :rofl:
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: BIGSHCLUNK on June 27, 2019, 07:53:14 PM
Anyway, what am I checking vs battery? Alt output at low R's?
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: Chryco Psycho on June 27, 2019, 08:04:25 PM
See if the analog meter reacts the same as the factory gauge , you should be more than 13.6v
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: dodj on July 15, 2019, 08:20:03 AM
Been away since the 28th. Did you confirm or deny it's the gauge Bigs?
Title: Re: NEEDLE BOUNCE.....
Post by: BIGSHCLUNK on July 16, 2019, 10:55:36 AM
In all honesty I have not had time to check. Between my dad (95) and some appliance issues (washer dryer) no time or just to tired at the end of the day. I did get her out on saturday nite tho.... (3rd time this season....  :Thud: ) I will get to it and post results when I do