ammeter flick

[Deleted]

I seem to have the same problem as Norvin, whilst driving, the ammeter 'flicks' but when I flash headlights the needle jumps to the top and settles down to normal then no problem for many miles, checked all connection round alt. 4TR & alternator, all seem O.K. Has anyone come across this ? brushes have about half inch carbon so should be O.K. !!

[johnwp5bcoupe]

It is possible the internal shunt on the meter is high resistance on an intermittent basis like all these intermittent faults substitution is the only way to eliminate the problem

[Phil Nottingham]

You may have a short in the headlamp flasher switch - do not use it - it should only draw 13A. It takes its supply direct from Ammeter Shunt not Battery Control or the Light switch.

Do lights on show NIL load with just a flick when switched on with engine running and waht reading does ammeter give when egine not running on headlamp flasf

[johnwp5bcoupe]

I am with you line of thought Phil

The HL flasher feed comes from the IGN switch on my diagram but the same point goes to the ammeter so another "possible" leak as is the light switch and the dip switch none are fused if it is a regular short all the time something must be getting warm no smell?

So a few things to eliminate

The headlights will draw 10amps on main and 9.1 on dipped

[eisdielenbiker]

Hi fenmen,
does your ammeter start to flicker erratically when engine is in idle and you slowly accelerate ? I encountered this effect dramatically increasing at about 1500 rpm. Alternator is OK too. Indeed I already once had problems with the head lights. They were totally out of function one night starting off. I 'solved' the issue with depressing the foot dip switch twice. Never occured again. Probably I had to clean the contacts down there. The light switch itself is absolutely errorless. It doesnt even get warm. But I dont have H4 halogen bulbs anyway...
Regards
Mark