85 BJ73

[ESTCRUISER]

So this is officially going to be the beginning of my rehab/upgrade for my 85 Landcruiser. I bought it back in March from an importer. The cruiser had 273,000 km on it and was cool to look at for me but it had a few things that really struck a chord. The tires were new and I had documents on where it came from as well as some maintenance history. It was owned by a gentleman in Amsterdam who could no longer afford the yearly fees. He had the front end rebuilt lock to lock and the exhaust was new. It was well maintained but obviously on inspection needed some help. There is rust in usual locations but it drove well so I picked it up. The big plus in my decision was that it had the fold down windscreen, obviously never will fold it and also has some rust, and the FRP top. Here is the kicker. It had what seems to be an aftermarket soft top and the sought after removable top rear doors. Engine starts and runs very well but a few things are needed. The glow system is not working right and I have identified one dead plug. The biggest pain at the moment is the inoperable fuel gauge. Pictures to follow as soon as I return home.

Big question for the field as I have searched is in looking for a way to test the sending unit to determine if the fuel gauge or fuel sender is faulty. Anyone have a test diagram for that part of the system? Not that I think it makes a difference in these parts but it is a 24v Cruiser. Since I am finally moving to where I have a garage I hope to keep this up to date in my repairs.

Mike.

 

[tubes41]

This looks to be for the 12V variety, but it should get you started...
To check the fuel gauge:

To check the sender:

HTH

-Trav

 

[ESTCRUISER]

That is what I was looking for. Thanks. The resistance values should be the same. I was checking them the other night and not getting a reading but I wanted to check the gauge first so that gives me a great place to start.

 

[ESTCRUISER]

Here are a few shots in the parking garage. Thankfully it will be moved to my new garage in short order.

 

[Oldtoy74]

I pulled my fuel sender out recently as I was having no readings, I checked the resistance, no reading below 1/2half way, I also pulled the resister apart and checked with pressure on the sliding tab on the resister itself = same reading, I ordered new fuel sender from amayama $78 deliver to door, I get the feeling there is no difference in the 12-24v fuel senders as same part number appears on some 12v cruisers??

 

[cruiserdan]

I believe you are correct. I see an 83320-69025 being used in both 12v and 24v applications.

 

[ESTCRUISER]

resistance is resistance so that is what lead me to believe 24v vs 12v would have no difference. I am going to pull the one in there tomorrow to take a look and see on the bench what I find. I really need to get after the glow system and check that out as well. Thankfully living in Florida has benefits in "rarely" needing the plugs.

 

[Springbok70]

I pulled my fuel sender out recently as I was having no readings, I checked the resistance, no reading below 1/2half way, I also pulled the resister apart and checked with pressure on the sliding tab on the resister itself = same reading, I ordered new fuel sender from amayama $78 deliver to door, I get the feeling there is no difference in the 12-24v fuel senders as same part number appears on some 12v cruisers??

Hey Oldtoy, did you get any readings when your tank was full? My gauge reads full when I fill with diesel, but after about a 100-150km drops to nothing. I've thought it was the fuel sending unit, but couldn't understand why it would register for the top 1/4 but not the bottom 3/4.

 

[Oldtoy74]

The resister piece work by making contact with a slide, depending on where the float within tank positions the slide against the resister, as I mentioned I pulled it apart and had a good look, to understand the mechanics or in this case the electrics
I still had reading of resistance in the top portion which indicated full tank( exactly what FSM indicated) but anything below top portion it was reading no resistance at all ? Hope that helps

 

[Gun Runner 5]

I have the exact same issue with the forward fuel tank on my HJ75. The gauge reads full for an extended period but when it starts to move towards empty, it moves rapidly.

 

[ESTCRUISER]

It is definitely the sending unit. Tested based on the document that tubes41 posted, thanks Trav, and there was voltage on the gauge side. Can't pull the unit at the moment as the wire is stuck between the tank and body and I will probably have to cut it to pull it out. Pulled the screws and moved the arm as much as I could and got a reading toward the top. Decided to run and fill the tank since I was going to need it anyway and diesel is only 2.68 at the moment. Sure enough the gauge reads full so somewhere between 3/4 and 1/2 it has no ability to send a resistance value. After I get all moved in to my new place it is time to order a new sender so I don't have to worry about how low it actually is or hand calculate.

 

[gofast]

Maybe a simple fix that you already tried - I had the problem where my tank never read full. I pulled the sender wires off the sender and used some emery paper and cleaned up the sender contacts. I hit it with dialectic grease and the tank gauge read fine thereafter.