The Ford Capri Laser Page

Hi all,
I want to find out what ammeter working range should be. There are 4 marks up (+) and 4 marks down (-) from "zero" mark. (Should be slightly + during normal operation.)
When I start the engine the first "kick" from alternator moves ammeter needle to first + mark (then back to zero), but I also saw few videos where needle went to third or fourth + mark.
What is normal? When somebody bought new Capri back in the day and first started it, where ammeter needle went?

Cheers

Tom

When i first start it goes up a couple of bars then sits just above the middle , I am almost sure it’s done that all the time on both and just jumps up if I use the lights or rear screen . My other Capri was the same , I am even sure when I had a flat battery it still stayed in the middle .
Do a quick video , Iam out in mine Monday can check but perhaps the 2.8i is different .

Hi,
My needle sits at around the middle mark too. It flickers a little then settles when I put on certain electrical components, such as the rear screen demister. Helpfully, I don't know if that's normal or not...
Although I would suggest that if the needle goes up to the top of the gauge, a faulty alternator is overcharging the battery or the gauge itself isn't working properly.

Andrew.

Video would be good.

With engine off when I turn on headlights it moves only little bit down. With high beam or rear screen it moves maybe 1/4 of bar down (-), also with engine off. Only after engine start it goes one bar up (+) for 1sec and then back to middle.
So from 8 bar range (4 (+) and 4 (-)) my ammeter use only 1,25 bar. Thats why I'm not sure if it works properly.

Tom

Hi Tom,
From how you describe it your gauge moves about the same as all the Capris I've been in.
Personally, I wouldn't worry about the needle operating over the full range of the gauge. Check out this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=46537&p=302622&hil ... er#p302622

Steve (Stevemarl) has owned his Capri from new and he writes that his gauge "hardly moves".

Andrew.

Thanks for link. After reading this, it looks ok.

Next time I have to use "finding tool" properly, before posting new topic.

Tom

T.M. wrote: Next time I has to use "finding tool" properly, before posting new topic.

In my opinion, posting a new topic is no big deal. I know some forums frown upon it, but not here.
The thread I linked to hasn't been added to for four years and it would have been lost in the dusty archives! Certainly you have to trawl through pages of search results to find the answer you need.
Now thanks to this new thread, if anyone is wondering if their gauge is functioning correctly they can find the answer easily.

Andrew.

Great!

Tom

Jasonmarie wrote: Do a quick video , Iam out in mine Monday can check but perhaps the 2.8i is different .

Hi Jason,
please could you make video of ammeter? During starting and turning on lights or rear screen with engine off.

Thanks

Tom

Are have a small problem as she’s 20 miles away tucked up in bed with the battery in the shed on trickle charge . Also legs being turned off Monday . Mr Nick or Mr Dan can you do one if so send it to me and I can put it up on you tube or anybody else ?

Sorry Tom if not I might turn it over December time but that’s ages of .

Here’s mine as I took a buy picture yesterday .

Jasonmarie wrote:
Here’s mine as I took a buy picture yesterday .

No cover

Ok, no problem.

Tom

Sorry Tom , I never did a cover last year because of all the Horror stories you here . Just had a small amount of dust on her .
And she has her small wash once a year . Saying that I washed her twice this year