fuel gauge issue

[Straight eight]

Hi, i´ve problems with my fuel gauge on my 1969 Newport. The gas tank (and probably the sending unit also) is perhaps 2 or 3 years old. When i turn on the ignition, the pointer on the fuel gauge goes up to the "full" level....and no, the gas tank is not full. What is the first thing to look at? I pulled the wire of the sending unit...and turned on the ignition and the pointer did not move (empty level). Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mr. fix it]

Shorted wire could be the cause of the full indicator

 

[DC118us]

Look at the ground strap first. Make sure the sending unit is getting a good ground. Then test the ohms on the sending unit. S/b between 10 and 70 ohms. I know grounding the sending unit wire will send the fuel gauge to full, so it's possible your sending unit wire is grounded out somewhere.

 

[mr. fix it]

Also could be a stuck sending unit in the tank?
Disconnect the sending unit feed wire if it drops then it is in th sending unit
If it doesn't then it's a wiring issue

 

[DC118us]

I read OP's post and he pulled the sending unit wire and the fuel gauge stayed at empty, so it's definitely at the sending unit

 

[saylor]

+1 ground strap.

you could take a bit of wire and just put it there - see if the gauge corrects, then you know.

try not to die -

- saylor

 

[67Monaco]

try not to die -

- saylor

That's funny right there, I don't care who you are..

 

[mr. fix it]

That's funny right there, I don't care who you are..

Makes sense, he dealing with gasoline
Don't use a match or lighter to check the tank levels ok???

 

[Big_John]

Yea, is you pulled the wire at the sending unit and it went to empty, it's the sending unit. Since it reads full when connected, there's obviously no problem with the tank ground. That leaves a stuck float (probably) or just a bad sender. Either way, you need to pull it out.

A few guys have sent their senders here with good results: Rebuilt Fuel Sending Unit Specialist

You might be able to buy a new sender (read offshore manufactured) but I think having it rebuilt is a better alternative.

 

[saylor]

keep the original sender lock ring, the one you get with the repops are not correct.

 

[saylor]

here read this

fuel sending unit R & R

 

[DC118us]

I'm one of guys that used tri Starr radiator for my sending unit rebuild! Great job and excellent customer service, even if there is an issue!