Gas Gage Readings

ron69912t · 08-04-2003, 06:53 AM

My gas gage does not register a full tank even though I filled the tank up to the cap. The needle goes up and stops between 3/4 & Full.

Could the fuel tank sending unit be in need of a cleaning?? Any one had this problem and fixed it?

How delicate is the sending unit if I try to clean it and what do I have to clean, the wire or the float?

Thanks,
Ron D

Morrie · 08-05-2003, 11:28 AM

Hi Ron.....

I had a flakey float on mine when I got it. Try this: Pull the float assy out of the tank (watch out... fuel will spill). Now plug it back in to the sender. With the ignition on and the assy oriented same as in the tank, your guage should now read empty. Now invert the assy. There is a float inside the tube which should slide up and now your guage reads full to the max.

If it doesn't work like that, then maybe try this process:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_fuel_tank_sender_replace/911_fuel_tank_sender_replace.htm
Keep us posted!
Morrie

ron69912t · 08-05-2003, 01:32 PM

Thanks Morrie:
I will give it a try as soon as I use up a half a tank of gas so the gas level is down below the top of the tank.

Ron D

Morrie · 08-06-2003, 04:41 AM

Mine sender was really jumpy when I got it- crudded up inside. I ran a couple tanks of gas thru with MMO in the tank and that that seemed to take care of it over time...be real careful if you take the screw out of the bottom of the sender and disassemble it. Mine was pretty rusty and a new sender is near to 80 bucks.... Good luck buddy!

ron69912t · 08-12-2003, 04:40 AM

Morrie:
Cleaned out the sender tube, had some crud inside which jammed the float. Forgot to check if the low fuel warning light comes on but the gas gage works fine now. Thanks for the help.

Ron D

Morrie · 08-12-2003, 04:45 AM

Ron:
Good to hear man! I have no idea if my low fuel light works either.

Morrie

craign · craign's Garage

Ron,

Here is great way to test that fuel low light.....

When the tank is reading about a 1/4-1/3 full, find the best twisty road you can and drive it as fast as you can. Those turns get that gas sloshing around pretty good and when you hit just the right curve at just the right speed, the fuel will slosh just right and light up that big ass red light bright as day.

Hell I have done it with 1/2 a tank, and why do they make the fuel low light the biggest and brightest anyway? I think oil pressue is more important myself and that gets a little teeny light.

Craig

cgarr · cgarr's Garage

Good point, I was thinking about swappin the sockets around then you only have the little red/green one on for fuel and that big one for oil. Hey do I have my backwards? My oil is green and gen is red? That gen light is important if you break a cooling belt!

Craig

craign · craign's Garage

Oil = green

Gen = red

Low fuel = HUGE RED

That fule one is still beyond me I would rather have a HUGE RED to tell me I just lost oil pressure than anything else.

Craign

ron69912t · 09-10-2003, 10:15 AM

Craig:
Rather than driving around doing sharp turns I just removed the fuel gage sending unit from the tank, let it drain to empty then checked the dash light. It lit up a nice and bright red light which you cannot overlook or ignore. It works!!

Thanks for your help.

Ron D

Morrie · 09-10-2003, 10:17 AM

i need to do this too as i think mine is a dead turkey. i hate it when everything isn't working......

ron69912t · 09-10-2003, 11:28 AM

Morrie:
I am with you, I cannot stand it when something is not working or needs fixing!! Specially on my cars.

Thanks,
Ron D

chickybok · chickybok's Garage

I guess we are talkin 5 gauges! My fuel light is 'pin prick' size on three gauges!

Morrie · 09-12-2003, 04:48 AM

yep, on a 5 its about as big as the e-brake light