Ammeter Gauge has been erratic for a few days to took it to local shop just to be sure it was charging properly. It was. It's the gauge. They searched around and located a new, original, gauge but the price is $180.00 I am told. Bear in mind, this is for a 1989 F150. Impusivley, I let him order it then had second thoughts and called back but he was gone for the day. I am going to suggest he get hold of one from a local bone yard. I feel as long as it tests OK, why not go with that. Frankly, $180.00 seems a little steep if a used one will do....that is assuming I can find one and not have to purchase the entire cluster, but I'd be willing to bet the entire cluster would not be 180.00. They say 1 hr labor would be needed to install........there's another 80.00 bucks. My question is: what are my option here? Do I have to spend well over 200.00 to get back in business?
Is this a do-it-yourself repair. I have a manual that shows all the steps.
Anyone's input will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

I haven't heard these gauges failing very often. You have a voltmeter gauge if it's like my 89, and I am willing to bet you have a loose connection in the cluster somewhere. I would do the old take it apart and put it back together trick, cleaning connections along the way with a pencil eraser, and that might fix it.

Also, was the gauge messing up when he was checking under the hood with a meter? Or does it only do it when you go down the road, or intermittently. If you are not sure, I would bet a cheap voltmeter and hook it up in the fuse box, and drive it for awhile to make sure you do not have a intermittent problem under the hood.

 

Well....I was not there. Had to leave it, but can tell you it registers low volt or amps idling or driving, but not all the time. It appears to "stick" once in a while, jumps to the charging level after a few seconds. He claims he tested everything at it is charging ok, and the problem is with the gauge. One of his mechanics claims they this is fairly common. I believed that only because mine is 20 yo. Today, I called him and told him not to order the orig gauge and if it arrives, Ill take the blame and pay the freight both ways, but cant see paying 180. for it. I also told him to find a used one somewhere and we can put that in. I checked the LMC catalog I have and it shows around the same price. Thanks for your advice. You are an asset to this section.