L36 rag

I currently have the instrument cluster out of my '67 replacing some bulbs, cleaning foggy lenses, and dealing with a faulty amp gauge...It reads 20 amps when it's not even connected...Initially I planned to just replace the gauge but I thought maybe there's a way to adjust the needle back to zero...Can this be calibrated or should I just buy a new one? Also, any idea what caused this? It was that way when I bought the car...I don't want to replace it only to get the same result.
Thanks,
Mike

Avispa

There is considerable opinion the forum that reproduction gauges aren't all that great. Repaircor replace with NOS seems to be the way to go.

all the gauges have press on pointers. You should be able to pull them off with a fork or similarly shaped too, then press back on in the correct position. Only pull and push on the pointer hub. The needle is too soft to push or pull.

DansYellow66

If the battery gage does respond at all, I would just reset the needle as Avispa suggested. Should be good to go.

R66

There is a thread in the FAQ on the battery gauge and testing it.
Electrical Problem? Ammeter reads -20 - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
That might give you an idea if it is good or bad before trying to adjust the needle.

L36 rag

Thanks for the link...Post #13 in that thread suggests connecting the leads on the gauge to a1.5 volt battery to see if it responds...easy to do since it's out of car...sure enough, gauge goes even farther right...so evidently I just gently remove needle and reposition it to zero and I'm good...right?

Powershift

Sounds like a plan. Test again after the repair/revision.

Larry

L36 rag

Any tips on removal and replacement of needle without damaging it? It looks pretty fragile.

DansYellow66

The guy I watched do this (Joe Ray) just grabbed the center hub between two fingers and pulled/popped it off. I believe that’s what I did also when I swapped needles on a fuel gage but it is a little un-nerving. Possibly a plastic trim tool levering over from the outside edge of the gage face return and kind of use a fingers on your other hand to steady it and keep it from twisting. I just would be careful not to touch the gage face to avoid marring it. Avispa mentioned a fork - if you have an old one you can bend two tines to barely clear the shaft and sort of lever it off from the outsid return of the gage face.

L36 rag

I thought there may be a trick to getting it off...I figured if I need a lever for removal, I would need a way to press it back on...for right now, I saturated a Q tip with penetrating oil and dabbed it on the end of the shaft...I'll wait a while and give it a try with just my fingers.

Tiger Joe

Never did a c2 but I popped a bunch of c3 gauge needles off so I’d imagine they are the same.

I grab it with my finger on the sides pull up. Put a screwdriver under the bottom of the needle opposite the pointer and pop it off.

usually stuck on pretty good the first time after 50 years

L36 rag

Success!! I ended up gently grabbing both sides of the hub with a set of needle nose pliers and applying pressure straight up...I expected it to slowly free up but it just popped...After I set the needle to zero I gently pressed the hub back on with my fingers...It didn't feel like it went all the way down but the needle returns to zero when I move it by hand and it responds both ways to a 1.5 volt battery so I'm gonna leave well enough alone...Thanks to all who helped.

Mike