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Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! #1567066 01/22/14 03:21 PM 01/22/14 03:21 PM
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 15,995 RI Deep in the rust belt chargervert OP I Live Here
chargervert OP I Live Here Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 15,995 RI Deep in the rust belt	I have a 78 Little Red Express Truck. The truck has been sitting for ten years. I just replaced the exhaust system,starter,battery cables,and brake calipers. I am trying to get it back on the road this year. After I changed out the plugs and changed the oil,I was trying to tune the carb,when I saw smoke coming from behind the dash. I shut the truck off and disconnected the battery. I had to reach up behind the alternator guage and pull the smoldering insulation out before the truck caught fire. The wires to the guage were red hot. I also noticed one of the wires to the voltage regulator had melted as well. What is the best way to go about fixing this issue? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Pete. 70 Charger R/T SE 472 Hemi 70 Charger R/T convertible 70 Charger R/T V Code Sixpack 69 Charger R/T SE Sunroofcar 68 Charger 383 68 Charger 318 71 Charger R/T 70 Challenger convertible 71 Challenger convertible 71 Cuda 340 09 Challenger R/T Classic

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: chargervert] #1567067 01/22/14 03:45 PM 01/22/14 03:45 PM
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 1,751 Graham, WA P Polarapete top fuel
Polarapete top fuel P Joined: May 2003 Posts: 1,751 Graham, WA	I am surprised with all the older Mopars that you own, that this is the first time you have run in to this issue with the ammeter gauge and wiring. I am not an expert and I am sure that someone with good technical skills will chime in. The basic issue is that you cannot expect a system that was designed when generators and 6 volt systems were good enough to be adequate for modern cars. Running all under dash power through the ammeter is one of many weak links. 1986 Dodge Ramcharger 440 2wd, Bracket Racer Under Construction 1998 Ram 2500 QuadCab, new daily driver. 2008 Honda Element 2014 Carry-On 7x14 Cargo Trailer

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: Polarapete] #1567068 01/22/14 04:16 PM 01/22/14 04:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,065 Niles , Ohio T therocks oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah. T Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,065 Niles , Ohio	Common problem on those years.I had 5 of them and eliminated the amp gauge on all.The gauge starts to melt then shorts.I simply disconnected them and used a small screw and nut to hold them together.Tape real good and install a volt meter.Last truck I had went 6 years like that.Rocky Chrysler Firepower

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: therocks] #1567069 01/22/14 04:51 PM 01/22/14 04:51 PM
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 15,995 RI Deep in the rust belt chargervert OP I Live Here
chargervert OP I Live Here Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 15,995 RI Deep in the rust belt	I have owned Mopars for 30 years,and I never had this issue. I did buy a car that had a dash fire before,and this was probably the cause. I will connect the wires as you said Rocky. I have a factory guage pod with the voltmeter and vacuum guages. I do not have the wiring for the guage. How would I wire up the voltmeter guage? 70 Charger R/T SE 472 Hemi 70 Charger R/T convertible 70 Charger R/T V Code Sixpack 69 Charger R/T SE Sunroofcar 68 Charger 383 68 Charger 318 71 Charger R/T 70 Challenger convertible 71 Challenger convertible 71 Cuda 340 09 Challenger R/T Classic

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: chargervert] #1567070 01/22/14 04:53 PM 01/22/14 04:53 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32,921 Grand Prairie,Texas stumpy I Win
stumpy I Win Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 32,921 Grand Prairie,Texas	Volt meter is 12v key on and a ground.

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: stumpy] #1567071 01/22/14 05:15 PM 01/22/14 05:15 PM
Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 15,995 RI Deep in the rust belt chargervert OP I Live Here
chargervert OP I Live Here Joined: Sep 2004 Posts: 15,995 RI Deep in the rust belt	Thanks Stumpy. I will wire it like that. I wondered if using the factory guage could be wired right into the harness. The optional guage pod must have a plug in somewhere on the harness. 70 Charger R/T SE 472 Hemi 70 Charger R/T convertible 70 Charger R/T V Code Sixpack 69 Charger R/T SE Sunroofcar 68 Charger 383 68 Charger 318 71 Charger R/T 70 Challenger convertible 71 Challenger convertible 71 Cuda 340 09 Challenger R/T Classic

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: chargervert] #1567072 01/22/14 07:07 PM 01/22/14 07:07 PM
Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 10,200 Someplace you aren't S SomeCarGuy I Live Here
SomeCarGuy I Live Here S Joined: Feb 2003 Posts: 10,200 Someplace you aren't	I just take one lead from the amp gauge and put it on the other terminal. Some hamfist put together the ends on a car I bought with a screw and tape. Ended up arcing under the dash. Not a fun experience. I want my fair share

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: stumpy] #1567073 01/22/14 07:20 PM 01/22/14 07:20 PM
Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6,048 Back home in PA B BulletBob master
BulletBob master B Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 6,048 Back home in PA	Quote: Volt meter is 12v key on and a ground. You can disassemble the original amp gauge & a voltmeter & put the voltmeter on that space using the original face

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: chargervert] #1567074 01/22/14 07:59 PM 01/22/14 07:59 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,668 Buford, GA I_bleed_MOPAR master
I_bleed_MOPAR master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 8,668 Buford, GA	Some good reading here- http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml Did it on my sons Charger and will do it on any other older Mopars I may wind up with, just for the peace of mind. Tim '71 Charger 383/727 '17 Challenger SXT (Wifeys car )

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: BulletBob] #1567075 01/22/14 08:14 PM 01/22/14 08:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,783 Corpus Christi, TX shanker master
shanker master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 5,783 Corpus Christi, TX	Quote: Quote: Volt meter is 12v key on and a ground. You can disassemble the original amp gauge & a voltmeter & put the voltmeter on that space using the original face I wish I could find a gauge that will mount in the 72-74 dodge truck panel to do that.... got any links? The Federal Government has not yet learned that you cannot legislate morality 1970 Coronet R/T FF4/FF8/V85/V1G 440/Auto/3.23 1970 Coronet R/T FK5/FK5/V8W/V1W 440/Auto/3.55 1970 Super Bee TX9/TX9/V8W/N96 383/Auto/3.91 1975 Duster 360 VS29L5 Daily Driver

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: chargervert] #1567076 01/23/14 06:06 AM 01/23/14 06:06 AM
Joined: May 2003 Posts: 3,265 Pyeongtaek, South Korea 69HemiGTX master
69HemiGTX master Joined: May 2003 Posts: 3,265 Pyeongtaek, South Korea	This is the Achilles heel of the 72-80 truck gauges. The way Ma did it, 100% of the battery power is routed through the gauge, making fires quite common. Tim linked to what seems to be the most popular tech article about it and how to fix it. OIF V and OEF X veteran and proud of it!

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: 69HemiGTX] #1567077 01/23/14 10:14 PM 01/23/14 10:14 PM
Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 82 Sacramento, California R retiredguy member
retiredguy member R Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 82 Sacramento, California	According to the Little Red Express owners club, this is one of two updates that are endorsed by them. The other update is a steering box brace. Here is a link to their web site-http://www.lilreddad.com/. I also have a LRE and I am doing the same updates. I just took my dash apart and I found the footing for the amp gauge were melted. I am so glad that I checked. Does anyone know a of a volt gauge that will fit into the amp gauge area in the dash. Larry 8009316-IM000230.JPG (45 downloads)

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: retiredguy] #1567078 01/24/14 10:26 AM 01/24/14 10:26 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,065 Niles , Ohio T therocks oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
therocks oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah. T Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,065 Niles , Ohio	Larry those dont look bad at all.My one would die when I was plowing and loose all power.Pulled the gauge and it was totally melted.Im suprised it didnt burn.It was one of the first ones I had.I installed my volt gauges in the part that goes to the DS of the dash.I wasnt worried about correct looks.I do have a NOS harness at the house for a RC.I dont know if its for the volt meter though.It supposedly is for the dash with all the fancy gauges with tach etc.Rocky Chrysler Firepower

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: retiredguy] #1567079 01/24/14 10:39 AM 01/24/14 10:39 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 18,408 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN... N NITROUSN I Live Here
NITROUSN I Live Here N Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 18,408 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...	I fixed many ammeters and they will not heat up again. Simple fix.

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: chargervert] #1567080 01/24/14 12:41 PM 01/24/14 12:41 PM
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,357 central Florida VL21 pro stock
VL21 pro stock Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,357 central Florida	Important note, I am an electrical idiot ... Because I am an idiot, I have to ask ...was this problem solved on the '81 and newer trucks? My '85 moves such a small amount that I am not sure that it is even moving, and previous 88 and 92 trucks as I remember were the same. I DID have a 72, 74, and 76, and none of them had this problem ... of course that WAS in 73,74, and 76 ... 8009817-iconcodger.gif (40 downloads) It takes gasoline to interest me.

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: VL21] #1567081 01/25/14 01:09 AM 01/25/14 01:09 AM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 18,408 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN... N NITROUSN I Live Here
NITROUSN I Live Here N Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 18,408 UPPER MICHIGAN, MARQUETTE COUN...	Quote: Important note, I am an electrical idiot ... Because I am an idiot, I have to ask ...was this problem solved on the '81 and newer trucks? My '85 moves such a small amount that I am not sure that it is even moving, and previous 88 and 92 trucks as I remember were the same. I DID have a 72, 74, and 76, and none of them had this problem ... of course that WAS in 73,74, and 76 ... You do not have the old inductive style. You can remove your cluster and the truck will still work just fine. The newer style uses a shunt style set up and just senses current which makes it operate.

Re: Alternator guage on LRT caught fire! [Re: NITROUSN] #1567082 01/25/14 03:10 AM 01/25/14 03:10 AM
Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,357 central Florida VL21 pro stock
VL21 pro stock Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,357 central Florida	Quote: Quote: Important note, I am an electrical idiot ... Because I am an idiot, I have to ask ...was this problem solved on the '81 and newer trucks? My '85 moves such a small amount that I am not sure that it is even moving, and previous 88 and 92 trucks as I remember were the same. I DID have a 72, 74, and 76, and none of them had this problem ... of course that WAS in 73,74, and 76 ... You do not have the old inductive style. You can remove your cluster and the truck will still work just fine. The newer style uses a shunt style set up and just senses current which makes it operate. Good to know,I will sleep better tonight. Thanks It takes gasoline to interest me.

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