07-14-2018, 01:03 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Lake Placid florida
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Fuel gauge issue
A while back I replaced the sender, and all was working well. Other day, the battery died. After jumping, the fuel gauge read 1/4 tank (it was over 3/4).
Shut it off, on the next restart, the gauge read empty and has stayed there. I unhooked the wire to the sender, gauge went past full (way past). Unhooked tan wire at fuse box, same thing. Checked voltage at the box where the tan wire goes, 7.8. Test light lights, but dim. Is this supposed to be less than 12? Ran a new wire from fuse box to sender, and the same thing happened, so I think that wire is ok. All fuses seem ok (does anyone know which fuse controls this? I can't read anything on the old box. So what is the next test? thanx |
07-14-2018, 02:44 PM | #2 |
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Re: Fuel gauge issue
Pulled the sender. If I move it up and down, the gauge moves.
Sender appears undamaged, float looks undamaged, not full of gas. I looks like it is installed correctly. But when I put it back in the tank, the gauge still goes to empty. |
07-14-2018, 03:00 PM | #3 |
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Re: Fuel gauge issue
Took sender out and grounded it. hooked up a wire from post to the sender wire, moved float, and it appeared to work correctly.
Put sender in bath full of water, float worked. Cool bubbles came up. Shook float, heard liquid inside. Hmm, looks like a cracked float. I think I got my culprit. Bummer. Thanx for all the help. No, that's not sarcasm. This place is great, and all this happened in a few minutes, did not expect an answer that fast. But it was kinda like bouncing stuff off of friends anyway Last edited by dave`12; 07-14-2018 at 03:22 PM. |
07-14-2018, 04:41 PM | #4 |
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Re: Fuel gauge issue
Anyone know where to find just the float? I can't seem to locate it.
thanx
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1967 C-10 4-speed, 350v8 |
07-14-2018, 09:04 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
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Re: Fuel gauge issue
I don't want you stuck here just talking to yourself! I see in the LMC catalog they have the float. What is your float made of?
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07-15-2018, 09:23 AM | #6 |
Who's got steelies?
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Morrison, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,023
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Re: Fuel gauge issue
I went thru this when I first bought my truck in 2006.
I bought the float from LMC and installed it in the original sender. My gauge still read empty. Ened up the LMC float woulf float when I tested in water, but sank in gas. LMC float was heavier than stock float. I ended up finding and soldering the pinhole in the original float, and it has worked since.
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1969 C10 LWB W/ 250 I6 & 3spd 1970 C10 with '67 small window cab, 68 front end, blue; 305/TH350, 3.08 limited slip rear end, manual brakes, power steering; & 4-wheel drums-My daily driver. 1975 Chevelle Malibu Classic Coupe 350/th350 mint green 1970 C20 Suburban 350/700R4 4.10 gearing green & white 1978 Big 10 Silverado 350/th350, working ac, 2 tone blue-My summer daily driver 1983 GMC 1500 Sierra 305/SM465 2.73 rear end How to add a trip odometer to your 67-72 stock speedometer How to rebuild your Q-Jet My Truck Page My Youtube Channel |
07-15-2018, 03:36 PM | #7 | |
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Re: Fuel gauge issue
Quote:
I found this float and ordered it. https://www.classicparts.com/1947-72...ctinfo/23-575/ 6.00 = 10.00 shipping. Steep, but I could not find it locally and it' cheaper than the sender. @oldgold. I hope I'm luckier than you. I had thought about repairing it, has a long very tiny crack and I thought I would change the weight and make it read incorrectly. If the new one does not work, that is what I will try next.
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1967 C-10 4-speed, 350v8 |
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07-15-2018, 04:07 PM | #8 |
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Re: Fuel gauge issue
I don't think soldering it would change the buoyancy of it significantly, even if you used a lot of solder. But getting a new high quality metal one is even better and that's not a bad price delivered. I'm going to bookmark that link in case I need one in the future.
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07-15-2018, 04:24 PM | #9 |
Cluster King
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Junction City, OR
Posts: 5,263
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Re: Fuel gauge issue
I have two questions.
Did the float still float even when you heard some gas sloshing in it? The float is not going to sink from 3/4 tank to 1/4 tank unless it is full of gas and then I think it would hit bottom. Second, have you tested the resistor? Pull the resistor from the back of the fuel gauge and test it. It should read in the area of 85-90 ohms. If it is anything less, such as 25 ohms, your resistor is bad. It is one of the more common reasons why a fuel gauge will not go past 1/4 full regardless of full level.
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Contact me on all of your gauge cluster needs. I specialize in restoration, repair and parts sales for 67-72 Chevy and GMC trucks. email me at tbonegarris@yahoo.com I am also a dealer for Counterpart for gauge cluster parts only. Also see my facebook page, CG&C |
07-15-2018, 05:50 PM | #10 | |
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Re: Fuel gauge issue
Quote:
I had it sitting on a towel that go wet from gas when I unhooked the fuel line, so I'm hoping enough leaked out to make it float in the tub. The bubbles told me that it was filling with water, but very slowly. So I won't know for sure until I get the new one. Hoping this fixes it.
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1967 C-10 4-speed, 350v8 |
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07-30-2018, 01:29 AM | #11 |
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Re: Fuel gauge issue
New one fixed it.
thanx for input.
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1967 C-10 4-speed, 350v8 |
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