I have a 55 F-350 with gauge issues. The ammeter doesn't work. Took the cluster out an cleaned and painted that and fount that there is something apparently missing from the rear of the meter. I am guessing it is some type of inductance pickup coil.
Can anyone verify this for me? If I am correct, is there a place I can purchase the missing piece(s)? Thank for helping out.

 

Are there any electrical connections to the ammeter? A lot of these use an inductance coil that the main battery wire passes thru, but I can't swear to it on a 55. I'm sure if yours is missing, you'll need a new gauge unit. Not sure what the difference is between the two listed?

 

ALBUQ F-1 ,
There is nothing connected to the ammeter. There is a bracket there that looks like it should hold the inductance pickup coil.
I have no real idea what the difference is between the ammeter as shown in the chart you sent me. I think it may be a tool in finding out more info though. Thanks!

 

Ross- what book did you get that listing out of? That may help me as well.

 

The 48-56 F-Series Parts Manual on CD, available here:
1948-56 Ford Truck Master Parts Catalog CD - HiPo Parts Garage

Cheap at half the price! It has both the Listings (like above) and exploded views of all systems.

Do a Google search on either of those parts numbers, several vendors have them for about $20. I'd guess the B6J number is most correct for a 55.

 

Hi, On my 50 Ford there is a big wire that comes from or goes to the ignition switch and passes through the loop on the back of the ampere meter and disappears into a wire harness.
When I went to 12V negative, I had to remove the wire from the ignition switch and pass it through the loop on the amp gauge in the opposite direction to get the gauge to read right.
So find the big wire that passes through the loop on the gauge and if the gauge reads backwards, reverse the direction of the wire. Hope this helps.

 

There is a loop on my gauge. I wonder if all I need to do is run a wire thru it? Hmmmmm...

 

It's a sheet metal loop, is that still there?

 

It is attached via 2 studs. It is actually 2 loops that are made out of/on a single formed piece of metal sheet. Definitely not homemade either.

 

Does it look like this? That's all there is to it, you run the BAT wire thru it.

 

yep, You need to find the appropriate big wire and put it through the loop. On mine it looked like the terminal end that came off the ignition switch would not fit through the loop, but it did fit. The gauge detects which way the current is flowing So if it is showing wrong current, unhook the wire from the ignition switch and reroute the wire the other way through the loop.
Be sure to unhook the battery before taking the wire loose.

 

Winner, winner, I owe you dinner!!
Is that a 12 ga red wire I see??
If you are ever in the Pacific Northwest headed up I-5 passing through Portland, OR let me know. The wife and I would be more than willing to feed you and yours.

 

just make sure to leave the insulation on the wire that passes through the loop and it only goes through one time. somebody on here not too long ago had stripped the wire and wrapped it through the loop several times to ensure good contact. Luckily he had the wire protected by a fuse or it would have been a good fire starter.