Ammeter discharge with key off
 

Any ideas why my ammeter shows a strong discharge when I turn off the engine? It shows a strong charge when the car is running. Right now, I'm disconnecting the battery cable when I shut the car off. Later, when I connect the battery cable again, it is normal at zero (not showing discharge) and starts up fine. So the discharge seems short-lived.
Thanks.

Re: Ammeter discharge with key off
 

Cutout sticking in closed position?

Re: Ammeter discharge with key off
 

Generator drawing when off? try disconnecting the gen.

Re: Ammeter discharge with key off
 

Next time you shut it down, try giving the cutout a sharp rap with a wrench or something to see if that un-sticks it.

Re: Ammeter discharge with key off
 

I would also agree sounds like a stuck cutout. That will kill the battery in short order. ken ct.

Re: Ammeter discharge with key off
 

with the car off take a 12v test light
you should only have power on one side of the cut out.. (the side with the wires)

Re: Ammeter discharge with key off
 

I agree with tapping the cut out when the problem shows up, or a wiring disconnect there if tapping doesn't do it. "BUT" I have had the same problem and found it to be the reproduction ammeter needle sticking!! Tap the ammeter and maybe watch it go back to zero.

Re: Ammeter discharge with key off
 

A sticky cutout is sometimes the first symptom of trouble in the charging circuit. Most liklely there is a poor connection somewhere in the charging circuit...I would check the terminals on the back of the ammeter and also in the terminal box. When the generator "loses" contact with the battery, the generator tries to charge to infinity...probably reaching 20 or 30 volts. This will stick the cutout, blow bulbs, fry coils and burn points. Find and fix the real problem and your cutout will be just fine. You say you are disconnecting the battery cable each time..could be that you are just setting the cable on and there could be the poor connection......Operator trouble.Rainmaker Ron

Re: Ammeter discharge with key off
 

We had the same problem with my Son-in-law's 28 Sedan. Turns out that the Light Switch was grounded. It was a cheap Repo switch. I took the switch apart and cleared the groung in the contact ring.