One should listen - no doubt about it - and this can help diagnose a lot of
things. Electrical systems, however, aren't always prone to make noises when
they fail.. The gauges as a diagnostic aid is helpful.
I installed an ammeter and a voltmeter in my '67 MGB about 6 years ago (where
the
speaker used to be). One time, after having someone replace my generator due to
bad bearings, I was driving from Indianapolis to Lancaster, PA, and in Columbus,
OH, I noticed the ammeter pegged at discharge, and the voltmeter dropping. I
stopped to buy a new generator, but no luck. So I went on further (it was
daytime, and I figured I could drive for a while as long as I don't use the
lights) and noticed the ammeter pegged at full charge, and the voltmeter at 15+
volts - so I turned on everything I could find, and kept it down to 14.5volts
for
a while - long and short, there was a regulator problem. Then it went the other
way again - to discharge. I was lucky enough to get home with the battery not
being charged for 2 or 3 hours, but had I not caught the overcharging, I would
have probably blown up a battery. Gauges in our old cars can be useful, and the
idiot light would not show the overcharge situation. Neither would listening to
the car's running noises, but a battery explosion right behind the passenger
seat
sure would be notable I think. I'm glad I didn't have to experience such a
thing, and consider that the voltmeter and ammeter have been good for my car,
and
good for my physical well being too.
Phil Bates
Gonaj@aol.com wrote:
> Hello All;
> I have to differ as to the ability of these diagnostic aids to forwarn of
> problems. The thing is you have to pay as much attention to their dials as
> you do to small noises. Just a small change from the norm is indication of
> something that should be checked into. If you wait for a big change you
> might as well wait for the deafening silence when you turn the key.
> By way of example, while driving my SUV recently i noticed a small change in
> the voltage on the factory installed voltmeter. It was approaching the end
> of it's 100,000 mi warranty so I immediately went to Mr. Goodwrench, AKA Mr.
> Hasen't Got a Clue. There I was told that there was nothing wrong. Three
> days later and past my waranty the light on the panel came on telling me that
> the alt. had gone bye-bye along with $135.00 that I would have rathered spent
> on my B.
> By the way, the warning that the B's water pumt was going out was too late
> for me to have one on the way before I had to quit driving it. What a
> bummer, a perfect Fall weekend and the Bs in the garage.
>
> George
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