FJ60 fuel gauge not working

[AfricanToy]

87 FJ60

Fuel gauge is not working, not sure if its something to do with the gauge in the dash or somehting in the fuel tank.

Anybody ever have this problem?

What should I be looking for?

 

[rchalmers3]

Hi, if everything else on the truck is functioning (lights, gauges) then I suggest you go to the fuel sender and check for power and ground at the sensor in the tank.

Under the rear carpet there is an access plate over the sending unit. Here you can (using a test light) check to assure the:

a) Sending unit is being grounded
b) Sending unit is receiving limited voltage (pulsed power)
c) Sending unit functions (remove and test unit resistances)
d) Guage functions (ground sender wire and note gauge deflection)

If you need more detail, please let us know and we will direct you accordingly.

Cheers,

Rick

 

[tonyota]

Gaug not working at all? Mine goes to full at fill up, within 20 miles or so shows 1/2 tank, then stays there till fuel level catches up. works fine from then on down.
Otherwise what rchalmers3 said.

 

[zebrabeefj40]

Gaug not working at all? Mine goes to full at fill up, within 20 miles or so shows 1/2 tank, then stays there till fuel level catches up. works fine from then on down.
Otherwise what rchalmers3 said.

tonyota,

I'll bet your sender is shot. If you pull it out of the tank and look at the windings under the tin cover I think you will find your problem.

In the OP's case I'd start at the sender like was already mentioned. Probably corroded to the point where the current isn't making it through the connectors.

Nick

 

[Eporter]

In the OP's case I'd start at the sender like was already mentioned. Probably corroded to the point where the current isn't making it through the connectors.

Yep, that's what it was for me. I was confused because I cleaned the tank sender connectors & nothing happened. A bunch of wiggling & more cleaning seems to have improved it. My gauge now reads 1/2 full, which is what it should be according to my trip meter. Would dielectric grease impair the signal?

BTW, the sender unit is one of the more corroded cruiser parts I've seen on my truck recently. It seems like the cap on top of the tank is some type of flimsy metal? I didn't want to mess with it much for fear of adding a new breather to my tank, and dumping a bunch of rust flakes in.

 

[Spike Strip]

Oh, Sheelah, just a couple a daze ago...

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/338307-fuel-level-sender-has-no-power-fuel-tank.html

Also, not mentioned in the above thread is the connection AT the sender frequently gets corroded. Clean (sandpaper) the spade on the sender AND the female connector first, and see if that does anything. There's an access panel to it under the carpet in the cargo area, if you don't know.

 

[Eporter]

Turns out all my problems were with the corroded sender. I started there, but it didn't work for me. I did the helpful tests in the above mentioned thread as well. This led me to take my cluster out of the dash. The gauge still didn't work, so I slept on it.

Maybe sitting overnight gave the cruiser gnomes time to work things out.

A little contact cleaner, brass brushing, and some more burnishing today, and all was good with the rear sender.

I wish I had a can of Caig DeoxIT. Leaves a nice oily film on parts in bad spots like these.