Hi All,

This is a strange one. I have an OEM Volvo voltage gauge from a 1984 244Ti in my 1986 245GL, mounted with an OEM accessory gauge face just below the clock. The gauge most often reads PEGGED to the right. I have tested voltage everywhere I can in the car, and the voltage stays in the 13.5ish range with the car running. New alternator, new voltage regulator, new battery, new exciter wire (yes, I ran a full new wire to go around the decaying old harness all the way from the alternator to the line into the cluster). Always perfect readings. New alternator warning lamp bulb in the cluster.

I have tested the voltage at the connections to the gauge with the car running, off but with the key in all positions, and key out - always 13.5ish running, 13ish off. I have the gauge connected to a switched fuse for positive juice and grounded to the dash frame. I have taken the gauge out and tried in another car (1978 245DL) and it works perfectly. I have bench tested it with steady 12V in my shop and it reads just left of center as it should. Only while in the 245GL does it peg right, and my multimeter says it should be dead center. WTF???

My only other clues are the fact that it operates normally after the car has been running for a while, as in over an hour or two, and that the car has a phantom electrical drain that will kill the battery if the car sits for a few days (I have been narrowing it down and I think it may be the power lock switch attached to the lock rod on the driver's door for what it is worth).

Anyone have any idea why the gauge is spooked by this car and this car alone while the multimeter shows perfect voltage? I am at wits' end on this one... thanks in advance for any ideas and please feel free to email me.

~Sam