Gas Gage gave up

[murraygmc]

So I've got a 85 standard cab and a while back I noticed that when I get in my truck the gas gauge is setting a little above half ... But when I turn the key it starts moving past full and keeps going till it's setting about at the 3oclock position and stays there untill I shut the key off ... No matter what the actual fule level is that's what happens .... How do I fix this ? It's driving me crazy ..

[bd]

The needle position when the ignition is switched off is immaterial; it's just the rest position of the unpowered gauge.  The fuel gauge sweeping past full to 3:00 o'clock is due to an open in the wire running to the fuel tank sender or a faulty sender.  Temporarily ground the signal wire connecting to the fuel tank, turn the ignition on and describe what the fuel gauge does.

[murraygmc]

Thanks I'll try that tonight when I get off work ... Should I be looking for a specific color wire I assume the sender unit is on top of the tank ? I also assume I can unplug said wire at the sender unit ?

[bd]

Single or dual fuel tanks?  The fuel level sender is in the top of the fuel tank.  The signal wire from the sender is pink and may exhibit a white stripe.  It plugs onto a pin that protrudes from the top of the sender.  The black, blue or green wire connected to the sender frame is the sender ground and should be attached to the vehicle frame.

[murraygmc]

Alright thanks I'll check it out tonight thanks for the quick response
Single tank

[murraygmc]

Sorry got home and had a family emergency ... All is well bit it will be the weekend b,4 I can mess  with it.... I'll let you know what I find out