The Ford Barn

DENY 411 · 06-21-2025, 09:48 AM

car was sitting for 2 yrs. Now it starts and runs , The amp meter shows adischard when engine is running. When swich is off turn rhe lights on and it shows a charge. Not a discharge. I am confused!

Kurt in NJ · 06-21-2025, 09:53 AM

How is the battery connected? — originally the car is positive ground.
If it was and the battery is put in negative ground the ammeter will work backwards

DENY 411 · 06-21-2025, 10:14 AM

The battery is correct. As car was sitting 3 people were working on it at the same time,
not sure what all was done to it! IT does start and run, and the amp meter used to work correctly.

Ruth · 06-21-2025, 10:50 AM

Sounds like someone switched the wires when "working" on the dash.

Gene F · 06-21-2025, 11:01 AM

If the battey in it positive to ground, then just swap the wires on the amp mete - problem solved.

nkaminar · 06-21-2025, 11:06 AM

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If your electrical system is using positrons instead of electrons then the meter will read backwards.

DENY 411 · 06-22-2025, 10:09 AM

update:thankyoukurt in NJ Ruth, and Gene F--I pulled IP amp meter was not touched the Ing swich was wires had been swiched (Not orininal style) I swiched them back making sure not to let it short out agin. Everything fine!

06-21-2025, 09:48 AM	#1
DENY 411 Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Roanoke Va. Posts: 31	amp reads backward? car was sitting for 2 yrs. Now it starts and runs , The amp meter shows adischard when engine is running. When swich is off turn rhe lights on and it shows a charge. Not a discharge. I am confused!

06-21-2025, 09:53 AM	#2
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,553	Re: amp reads backward? How is the battery connected? — originally the car is positive ground. If it was and the battery is put in negative ground the ammeter will work backwards

06-21-2025, 10:14 AM	#3
DENY 411 Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Roanoke Va. Posts: 31	Re: amp reads backward? The battery is correct. As car was sitting 3 people were working on it at the same time, not sure what all was done to it! IT does start and run, and the amp meter used to work correctly.

06-21-2025, 10:50 AM	#4
Ruth Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Location: Glide, Oregon Posts: 1,440	Re: amp reads backward? Sounds like someone switched the wires when "working" on the dash. __________________ Ruth "Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"

06-21-2025, 11:01 AM	#5
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,476	Re: amp reads backward? If the battey in it positive to ground, then just swap the wires on the amp mete - problem solved. Last edited by Gene F; 06-24-2025 at 04:34 PM.

06-21-2025, 11:06 AM	#6
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,851	Re: amp reads backward? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If your electrical system is using positrons instead of electrons then the meter will read backwards. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

06-22-2025, 10:09 AM	#7
DENY 411 Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Roanoke Va. Posts: 31	Re: amp reads backward? update:thankyoukurt in NJ Ruth, and Gene F--I pulled IP amp meter was not touched the Ing swich was wires had been swiched (Not orininal style) I swiched them back making sure not to let it short out agin. Everything fine!