Fuel gauge bobble

[smiles11]

I noticed my fuel gauge started bobbling around more than usual after removing the carpet & replacing the bonnet gaskets a few weeks back. I figured I may have inadvertently touched the fuel sender plug. I unplugged it & cleaned it. Plugged it back in & it solved the issue. Fast forward a couple weeks & the gauge doesn’t bobble as bad, but it’s back. Especially when I have a full tank. Could I be having an issue with the gauge? Could it be the tube float getting stuck? Sometimes it will go from 3/4 to full & back down to completely empty; rinse & repeat. It doesn’t happen all the time, but enough to get annoying watching it. Any tips to troubleshoot?

[Walt Fricke]

Not that expensive - replace the sender. Though it hasn't helped me all that much. Come off the track at half gauge level. Add 5 gallons, which is a bit less than 1/4th of a tank. Needle just a bit higher than before. Not much more you can do. Maybe dielectric grease on the prongs, and also on the attachments to the gauge, and where the gauge's ground wire attaches to ground.

Hmm - I'll try that with mine.

[smiles11]

Originally Posted by Walt Fricke

Not that expensive - replace the sender. Though it hasn't helped me all that much. Come off the track at half gauge level. Add 5 gallons, which is a bit less than 1/4th of a tank. Needle just a bit higher than before. Not much more you can do. Maybe dielectric grease on the prongs, and also on the attachments to the gauge, and where the gauge's ground wire attaches to ground.

Hmm - I'll try that with mine.

Yeah I’ve read that its pretty normal to just live with the bobble. It registers the correct fuel 95% of the time, so at least I won’t run out of gas. Just wondering if it’s causing excessive wear on the gauge needle 🤣

[Walt Fricke]

I don't think the gauge much cares about the input signal in terms of longevity . Some (the oil pressure gauge for sure) are constructed so that an open on the signal wire makes the gauge peg - needle goes up against the stop. But it isn't like using a torque wrench set for center locks on a regular lug nut.