Hi all,
I’m pretty sure I have a fried fuel gauge. But before I throw in towel and go another direction, figure I would check to make sure I haven’t missed anything.
Here is where things stand:
1) the sender was unplugged at the float when I took possession
2) Upon plugging it in, behavior was “variable”. It always read low, but how low varied.
3) I pulled the cluster (after disconnecting battery <grin>)
4) and bench tested the gauge
5) I basically used the approach shown in this and other videos but with the following modifications:
a) used 12v battery
b) Put 20 ohms or 40 ohms (tried both) of resistance into the circuit to mimic the resistance from the float
6) gauge still read low, again with variable results
7) I then cleaned contacts on the gauge with 1000 grit sandpaper, and also cleaned entire gauge with contact cleaner
8) still variable results. Sometimes it won’t read at all. Sometimes it reads but reads low.
9) I’ve notice that it will read close to normal when I test it after hitting it with contact cleaner. At 20 ohms resistance it’ll climb to full, but then fall. Then, subsequent tests it will just read low or not at all.
10) since it is reading, the little wires are obviously not totally broken.
11) There is a “black section” on one of the wires (first picture below). I’m thinking the wire scorched at some time and this is what is messing things up.
12) Also, the little adjuster screw (circled in second picture) is fully in and seized. I can’t get it to break free to adjust this.
Again, I’ve basically resigned myself to the gauge being bad. But figured I’d check before going a different direction.
Thanks in advance for any help.
-mhg
I’m pretty sure I have a fried fuel gauge. But before I throw in towel and go another direction, figure I would check to make sure I haven’t missed anything.
Here is where things stand:
1) the sender was unplugged at the float when I took possession
2) Upon plugging it in, behavior was “variable”. It always read low, but how low varied.
3) I pulled the cluster (after disconnecting battery <grin>)
4) and bench tested the gauge
5) I basically used the approach shown in this and other videos but with the following modifications:
a) used 12v battery
b) Put 20 ohms or 40 ohms (tried both) of resistance into the circuit to mimic the resistance from the float
6) gauge still read low, again with variable results
7) I then cleaned contacts on the gauge with 1000 grit sandpaper, and also cleaned entire gauge with contact cleaner
8) still variable results. Sometimes it won’t read at all. Sometimes it reads but reads low.
9) I’ve notice that it will read close to normal when I test it after hitting it with contact cleaner. At 20 ohms resistance it’ll climb to full, but then fall. Then, subsequent tests it will just read low or not at all.
10) since it is reading, the little wires are obviously not totally broken.
11) There is a “black section” on one of the wires (first picture below). I’m thinking the wire scorched at some time and this is what is messing things up.
12) Also, the little adjuster screw (circled in second picture) is fully in and seized. I can’t get it to break free to adjust this.
Again, I’ve basically resigned myself to the gauge being bad. But figured I’d check before going a different direction.
Thanks in advance for any help.
-mhg
