Another Oil Level Sender Dilemma

[Tbone1209]

I've read all the threads on diagnosing where the issue lies with a faulty oil level sender. I'd like to know the best approach on the fix. This is a longhood hotrod with rebuilt gauges and a new oil level sender.

Symptoms: Oil Level gauge pegs in start. (stays pegged)

Tests :
1) tested ground for sender and it appears fine
2) Ran the sender main line to ground and the oil level gauge dropped to zero.

Based on what I've read, that narrows the issue down to the connection to the gauge or the sender itself.

As the sender is new and it's likely the connection to the gauge, I thought I'd ask the imminent body here what's the next best step? Are there any more test I can run?

What's the best method to fix the wire from the gauge to the sender?

Currently the sender wires run to a junction of several wires by the passenger rear tail light.

Any ideas?

[cpa]

Tbone 1209, if you grounded the connection from the gauge and it went to 0 I would’t suspect the wiring. You say the sending unit is new, did you replace it? Does the gauge always read at the top when running the engine?

[T77911S]

^^^above.
if you grounded the wire and it went to 0, then it is in the oil tank.
well i take that back. where did you ground the wire.
if the sender is not getting a good ground then the gauge wont work.
i cant remember(even though i did a write up on rebuilding the sender). is there only one wire going to the sender?

have you verified oil level with the dip stick.

if so then pull the sender and test it externally.

[Tbone1209]

Originally Posted by T77911S

^^^above.
if you grounded the wire and it went to 0, then it is in the oil tank.
well i take that back. where did you ground the wire.
if the sender is not getting a good ground then the gauge wont work.
i cant remember(even though i did a write up on rebuilding the sender). is there only one wire going to the sender?

have you verified oil level with the dip stick.

if so then pull the sender and test it externally.

Yes verified oil level. Gauge wacks full pegged instantly so it's electrical. I grounded the main sender wire to the chassis. There are 2 lines to the sender. One to the chassis ground. The other to the gauge. From all the threads I've read, it's either in the sender or connection to the gauge. The sender was replaced 450 miles ago so I'm making the assumption it's Ok.... I could be wrong

[cpa]

Tbone, the info I'm giving you is from my 1982 and I can't get you a photo just now. The two wires your working with look very similar, the ground wire is the yellow with black stripe. If the sending unit is oriented properly it should be grounded by the mounting screw at 3 o'clock, the sending unit wire will mount on the stud near the center of the unit. If the sender is properly mounted the stud will be slightly off center toward the front of the vehicle. The reason I mention the orientation is because the float in the tank has to freely move up and down. It's easy to get hung up if not mounted properly. You might also use a magnetic pickup tool to fish around inside the oil tank to see if someone dropped a dipstick in there, that could hang up the float also.

[lsf911]

I would remove the oil sender and wire it directly to the gauge. Move the float up and down and watch the gauge needle move. If it doesn't its not the wiring. If it does then you know for sure it is the wire.
Not sure of the best way to run a new line back there.

[86 911 Targa]

The dipstick may not be magnetic.

Gerry