How to test instrument cluster voltage limiters

[Plumcrazy]

Voltage limiters can be tested out of the car with a few jumper wires and a test light.
Hold the limiter with the terminals facing you.
The horizontal terminal should be on the top. The vertical terminal in the middle and the angled one on the bottom

Ground the horizontal terminal. Supply 12v to the vertical terminal.
Touch a 12v test light to the angled terminal.  You should get a pulsating light on the test light.
If the light doesn't flash or stays on all the time the limiter is bad.

The limiter does not provide 5v.  It provides a pulsating 12v that averages out to 5v.

Hopefully somebody can use this.

[roger01]

thats perfect im going to try it .. ill be back ...... thats what like about this board specific questions and multiple correct answers

[Nacho-RT74]

The limiter does not provide 5v. It provides a pulsating 12v that averages out to 5v.

Gotcha...

Same as alternator regulators, specially the pre 70 electro/mechanical ones ( one field system ), what consist on a relay...

Post 70 Electronic ones ( double field system ) do the same but they are transistorized instead relays.

Another tip:
electro mechanical regulators are able to be calibrated with a screw to do that, same as cluster limiters... they have a minimal brass screw on the prongs face

[Ghoste]

Thanks Plumcrazy.  That's a useful tip and now I can test all those limiters I have laying around and get rid of any that are junk. 

[Sixtyeight]

Hi,

That test works fantastic!

Thanks very much!

Jeroen.

[ChargerRob]

Works great, Thanks. 

[Bob T]

Ok, good test , yahoo, I have a failed voltage limiter. this will solve some more issues in the 68 Charger wiring version of the bermuda triangle . thanks