quote:but at least its no longer a fire hazard.
George, you trying to scare people?
The ammeter is a fire hazard ONLY when its connections are loose, which will cause arcing, which brings on heat, which further loosens things creating more heat and...ta daa.....smoke and fire.
In this sense then yes, the ammeter is a fire hazard. But no more so than any other high amperage connection in the Pantera's wiring system.
With its numerous washers and nuts kept tightened and clean, just like your battery connections and other high amperage connections, the amp gauge will serve its purpose - however near useless that really is - with no imminent disaster lurking in the depths of the console.
Owners SHOULD, REALLY, check their ammeters to confirm things are tight and secure. This should be a regular item done every year or so, like changing ZF oil and flushing brake fluid.
As I still have my gauge (with checked, tight connections), I also regularly reach out and touch the gauge and surrounding area during a long drive - especially at night with lights on - to check for excessive heat.
When the ammeter is removed, removal of both wire ends and the installation of a crimped butt splice, covered with a couple layers of heat shrink insulation should provide a safe connection; remember, the amperage will still be there, you just won't have a gauge showing it to you.
But most owners just bolt both leads together and wrap with electrical tape. This still leaves a connection that can come loose and cause the very same problems the owner was attempting to avoid.
That bolted connection ALSO needs to be checked - but it is hidden down in the console and can't even be checked with hand touch.
Gee, now I'm probably starting to scare people, too.
Anyway, whether you still have your gauge or not, the lesson here is to realize there is a lot of amperage flowing through those wires/gauge and you need to inspect those connections regularly.
Fire in a Pantera is NOT cool.
Larry
