Inaccurate Volt Meter Reading

[Lima]

I have only just bought myself an Integrale, after years of lusting after everyone else's!!!  However, I noticed something on the drive home which I thought wasn't quite right.  The voltmeter ought to read 12v when the ignition is on (but engine off), and 14-14.5V with the engine running, right?  However (after seeing the Wheeler Dealers Integrale episode a number of times over the last few years) I was a bit concerned to note that voltmeter on my new toy reads 9.5v and 12v respectively!

However, using my own hand-held voltmeter I later confirmed that, across the battery terminals, I get 12V with the car off and 14.5V with it running.  Also, the car starts and runs perfectly which means I don't have to replace the alternator.

So... are poor Delta voltmeter readings common and rectifiable?  Is it down to poor connections?  Can the gauge be adjusted?  Can it be easy refurbished?

The car I have bought is quite a nice original example and this is one of only a few little areas I'd like to correct to make it 'tip top'

[DavidLaver]

Make a sticker to go over it

[the.cern]

Make a sticker to go over it

That's my boy!!!!!

[peteracs]

Hi

Given the linearity is still good, ie still reads 2.5v different for both, then can you tweak the hand on the meter?

Peter

[lancialulu]

Both my prisma and delta gtie voltmeters were reading (very) low like yours but not exactly the same scaling.... On both cars I had to take the dash out for other gremlins so got the volt meter out and "calibrated" it against a small 12v battery. Now I am happy that when running I get 14.5ish showing and 12v when not running. It is a delicate but not hard job to move the needle. You need some small tweezers to hold the spindle against the return spring and pull off the needle then push back on with a guess of how much out it is. A couple of goes is all it took...

[Lima]

Peter. Tim

Many thanks for the sensible suggestions. Will give it a shot soon

[peteracs]

Best of luck, patience is likely to be important.

As an aside to do with moving hands. I purchased a wall clock in the UK for our place in France, not realising it was one of those ones that uses the Rugby? signal to set it up, so amazingly when I turned it on in mid France, it actually sync'd to UK time, not so useful here in France......

A quick dismantle, reposition the hour hand and it has worked fine for the last 6-7 years with just battery changes required including BST changes which are the same in Europe handily.

Peter

[Neil]

Congratulations an Evo2, I suspected you had got one! Might be a poor earth on the voltmeter, you might have live with a lost volt or two on the gauge.

[Lima]

It is indeed an Evo2. I can only imagine that a voltmeter was introduced on Evo2 only? I still don't know what to look out for/ the differences between Evo 1 and 2. Early days of ownership. One day I will 'know it all'. Most of you know the car already... it's Chris Hopkins' Integrale and he kindly sold it to me because I coveted it so much.
Interestingly the original receipt says 'Evo 3' on it, but given that Lancia UK couldn't even do a spell/ grammar check on the ad campaign poster at the time (3 errors on it) it's no wonder they also didn't pick up on the fact that there wasn't a third generation Evo!

[lancialulu]

You have a nice car. I will start coveting it too

[sparehead3]

I think the Evo3 is explained because we didn't get the Kat version of the Evo1 here (which would have been the Evo2 if you see what I mean). But nobody refers to them as Evo3 , just Evo2 - the only true Evo3 is the Viola (IMHO)

Lots of them have been altered over the years and have bits that are not supposed to be there ...

I can't actually remember the Volts on mine but can have a look

[m tulloch]

It is indeed an Evo2. I can only imagine that a voltmeter was introduced on Evo2 only?

I'm certain my old evo 1 had a volt meter. Was a while ago though!

[Lima]

...come to think of it, Brewer and China had an 8v 'Grale didn't they, so my deduction holds no water.

So, how did Neil know I wonder.  Word on the grapevine, perhaps?

[Andy D]

You don't even need to have an integrale to have a volt meter - my HF Turbo also has one.  

[lancialulu]

You don't even need to have an integrale to have a volt meter - my HF Turbo also has one. 

as does my lowly prisma and GTie