I am trying to find out if my amp gauge works. What I can not understand is this; I have 6 volts going through the line to an AMP Meter. Shouldn't I be able to get a reading on an AMP meter in AMPS? I have hung a brand new AMP meter gauge effectively bypassing my dash gauge to see if I have a defective dash gauge. I do not get an AMP reading on it either. There is 6 volts on the line though. Can anyone with help me understand what I need to do? Thanks in advance.Bob

Is the amp meter between the positive post on the battery and all other electrical equipment (except the starter)?

Your ammeter will not have a reading unless it has a load, such as a radio, headlight, or other electrical device.

I can't check the gauge right now. I just got out of the hospital after surgery. It'll be a week or so befor I can crawl around the car. I thought in the meantime I could get some ideas on what to do. I have a question. If the car is running at idle wouldn't the gauge show a AMP reading because the battery would be charging up? It seems like it would go to the negative side as the engine is turned over and then go to the positive side after it started. Is this a correct assumption?

Yes, there should be some indication when the engine is running. When you turn the key on it may show a slight discharge, assuming the points are closed. If open there would not be a deflection of the needle.

Well, in that case i must have something wired wrong. This is going to be tough! I follower that schematic (the best I could). I used a combo of old and new wires. Everything works and the battery charges up. I am just not getting a AMP reading from the wires I have connected to the AMP gauge (volts yes but AMPs no).Could I bypass a lot of things and pick up a reading in AMPs at the voltage regulator? Here is another monkey wrench = is there such a thing as a DC AMP meter and an AC AMP meter? Maybe my problem is that I have a bad dash guage and am trying to verify it with an AC AMP meter.....I wish I were am electrician..

I will try to ex plane where the amp gauge is wired in.There is a number 10 wire coming from the starter that powers the whole car this wire will have the amp gauge wired in series before any thing else,it usualy ends at amp gauge on one side terminal the other side terminal has the rest of the electric including the generator.amp meters are ether ac or dc volt meters are only ac or dc. Be sure when using a separate amp meter that it can read higher amps then you need.

a3ALF, Thank you for sticking with me on this. I got under the dash and found too many wires on one of the posts. Someone years ago had also placed the wires reversed on the Gauge posts. After I took one wire from the input post and added it to the output post the gauge worked! It discharged when I stepped on the gas, so I switched all the wires and now it works fine! This is the first time the gauge has worked sense I have owned the car. Needless to say I am very happy!! Thank you again. Bob

Glade to been of help.Al