does all the electricity in your car runs throug the voltmeter gauge?

[440charger68]

  it seem that when i unhook my voltmeter gauge on my 68 charger all the electricity in the whole car goes out. Do all other chargers do the same thing? It seems like a funny way to supply electricity through the whole car. It might be because i have wires missing, but with no other chargers around im not sure what. There is one wire on my ignition switch missing, don't know where it supposed to go, but it might be the reason why my gauge lights wont work. Where is the wire your gauge lights get power from? Is it on your ignition switch?

[Ghoste]

Yes (it acutally an ammeter btw) and it's one of the drawbacks of the old Mopar electrical system.  There are a number of threads regarding fixes if the ammeter thing makes you nervous.

[JimShine]

We upgraded 5 1969 Chargers based on suggestions from this site. It was well worth the time spent. It has aleviated many problems.

[Ghoste]

Further to your guage lights, I believe there is a wiring diagram somewhere on the site that could help you diagnose them.
At least I think there is, site is getting so big it's hard to remember what's been covered already and what hasn't. 

[472 R/T SE]

It's also the main source of fires with our old Mopars.  If your car sits for any amount of time it's best to disconnect your battery.  My ammeter is bypassed but I still pull the positive cable whenever it sits.  If you're working on your dash and it's out it's a good idea as well cause all it takes is one wire grounding out and you'll be replacing a fuseable link too.
Here's a start:  http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,31803.msg354308.html#msg354308

[440charger68]

My dash light might not work because of the dimmer switch. I turn the dimmer switch and i never see anything different happen to my car. I read the link you sent me and i had no idea that the switch controlled the dome light and the dash lights. But why does my dome light work and my dash light dont?

[Nacho-RT74]

My dash light might not work because of the dimmer switch. I turn the dimmer switch and i never see anything different happen to my car. I read the link you sent me and i had no idea that the switch controlled the dome light and the dash lights. But why does my dome light work and my dash light dont?

switch controls both but different function by itsealf each one. no wires related.

With dash ilumination the rotation makes a resistor spin from high to low resitance, incresing voltage ( positive ) to dash lights throught orange wire. When get to top, the wheel push a separated tab making switch on the dome light but this tab DRIVES GROUND, not positive, throught yellow wire

[JimShine]

That switch is a PITA. Usually, you can get some light out of it by slowly rolling and finding a 'sweet spot' in the coil. I find that rolling it back and forth a dozen times first helps clean it a little, but it takes slow moving to find that spot and sometimes it will be on a part of the coil that doesn't allow a whole lot of light through. I believe the part is actualy a custom made rheostat. The coil is totally exposed and plain oxidation affects it. Only once did I attempt to clean one with an industrial strength component cleaner. It peeled the chrome from the wheel and even then, it only made the sweetspot a little eaier to find and didn't make it work a whole lot better. But there may be a way to get it cleaned (another cleaner, steel wool?).

[1969chargerrtse]

Guys, great information here , redoing my dash next year and I'll be sure to by pass the amp gauge, after I fully read up on it.

[Nacho-RT74]

no need to pass the amm if you have a balanced system .. That's the real deal and that's my opinion

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,33574.0.html