Lancia Beta Forum

The voltmeter in the instrument cluster (top left) has recently started behaving oddly. From it's normal position roughly in the middle, the indicator shoots across to the far right (excess +ve), accompanied by some odd clicks audible through the radio, then comes back to the normal position after a few minutes.

I'd be interested if anyone's comes across this before, and if it is early indication of a likely problem with the alternator ?

Cheers
Steve

Possibly the voltage regulator on the alternator it on its way out?  IIRC these can be replaced without changing the whole alternator.

What brand is your voltage regulator?
bosch or marelli?
Have you measured the DC with a multimeter accross the battery, with engine on?

Steve

I'll try this tomorrow and post up the results, I cant recall which is fitted to my red coupe.  I also have a spare in the garage so will check the maker and whether the regulator can be replaced and if there are any p/n's

Steve,
Apologies but things got a tad busy at home, I did not get a chance to test my alternator for you. 

I'm away from my car now for a couple of weeks so maybe one of the other members can assist?

There are plenty of people on fleabay, in the past I have used VEHICLEELECTRICSLTD for regulators.  Just search eBay or look at item number:  300281182015

Thanks all for the suggestions and help with this, all sorted now. Turned out to be a combination of:
1. Faulty battery; not helped by:
2. Low output from the alternator (13v), so the battery was not being charged during trips; and:
3. Dodgy earth connection to the voltmeter.

I now have a new battery, recondition alternator, a good earth, and one of those ctek 'smart' chargers to try and keep it good condition.

Cheers
Steve