Fuel Gauge kaput?

[Go Aweigh2452]

Well, I suppose its supposed to come in three's...

My gas gauge moves to just barely above "E" when power is applied (and there is ~ 44 gals of gas in the tank). I tested connectivity at the sender for bad/dirty/corroded ground and the same at the gauge. Power is going to the gauge and the sender. (in fact I have tapped off power to my floscan from the gas gauge so I know it has power and the floscan indicates I have 44 gals of gas still in the tank). There is no separate fuse for the fuel gauge and all the gauges are in parallel from the same power source. All other gauges read just fine/normal.

I never had a fuel gauge go bad so I am thinking it may be the float or something internal on the sender? Not sure it could be that since a new sender only costs around $25... I do plan to have Lea look at the gauge when I short the sender and ignition post at the bus to see if the problem really is the gauge. (I'm not fast enough to short the gauge at the bus and run up to see the gauge). At least I can eliminate that I think.

Any suggestions?

[Randygh]

Sounds like its time to replace the float unit. I replaced one in the Tolly several years ago. Fortunately I had great access to the top of the tank. I slightly bent the new float arm so the tank held a gallon or two even though the gauge read E.

[3788sam]

I've replaced two senders- one in a car and one in a boat- I know that it's a possibility that it could be the gauge but most times its the sender.
Seem to remember the boat was a heck of alot easier, didn't have to drain and drop the tank.

Go to:
http://www.faria-instruments.com/index-new.html
Select the FAQ section and download IS0100D_13.pdf and IS0100D_QR.pdf. This will help you troubleshoot the gauge before you start removing the sender.

This is for Faria guages but it should work on others.

Raul

[SomeSailor]

You're talking about grounding the tank input right Doug?

Grounding the wire going to the sending unit should peg the gauge. Unplugging it will drop it to zero. An empty tank should read about 1 ohm and full is nearly 0 ohms.

[Go Aweigh2452]

thanks... ;)

[Go Aweigh2452]

Raul, the pdf you pointed to did the trick. I was able to narrow it down to the sending unit and replaced that for $27. Thanks.... all is well in mudville.

I'm glad it worked out. :D

Raul