Voltage drop reading on gauge '83 Coupe

[TEX TERRY, II]

> From: "Ben Swann" <benswann at comcast.net>

(snip)
> I'm not trying to drive folks nuts, just trying to see if others who have
> '82-83(perhaps later years) experience this apparent voltage drop.  Does
> your "guage' needle flicker when accesories are turned on and off?
(snip)

When I had my '83 sedan running, I had this problem appear (it was not
there when I purchased the car in 1989, and did not appear until 1993).  I
corrected it by going to ALL the ground connections (except behind the
instrument panel), taking them apart, cleaning them, and then reconnecting
them.  This included the battery terminal.  This helped greatly.  I then
went to ALL the power connections (again, except behind the instrument
panel) and performed the same action.  This included the fuse boxes, the
lights (front and rear), anything within reach in the engine compartment,
and the battery under the seat.  This let the gauge needle stay steady; yes
I had the needle fluctuating when I would turn on the flashers; yes I had
the needle dropping excessively when I would turn on the lights, or use my
brakes.  When I stopped driving the car in 1997, all was still working well
(I still have the car, but not on the road at this time, maybe this
summer).  Hopefully your problem will be as easy to fix.

Tex Terry, II
'83 5000 Turbo sedan (non-quattro)
Franklin, AP  USA