Author Topic: The Cause Of Non-Functioning Fuel Gauge Revealed!  (Read 7243 times)

Offline 327power

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The Cause Of Non-Functioning Fuel Gauge Revealed!
« on: August 03, 2010, 03:56:20 pm »
Well I pulled the tank, traced wires, bought a new sending unit, and a 100 attempts at grounding the tank...and then it hit me. What if the PRINTED CIRCUIT is bad? So I pulled the gauges and yup! The printed circuit blew right behind the fuel gauge. Swapped it out and SUCCESS!
A working fuel gauge! So if anyone gets frustrated after spending time and money on the sending units, etc, check the printed circuit first. Thanks!
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Offline Grim 82

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Re: The Cause Of Non-Functioning Fuel Gauge Revealed!
« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2010, 04:05:40 pm »
Nice.
Give a man a gun, and he might rob a bank. Give a man a bank, and he might rob the world.

Offline oldwhity

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Re: The Cause Of Non-Functioning Fuel Gauge Revealed!
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2010, 07:15:49 pm »
I had a couple of guages not working in my 85 last year. It also ended up being the contact point on the printed circuit. The little tabs that hold the guage to the cluster didn't have enough pressure to have good contact. Very frustrating!
Rob G.
81 Chevy K20 4x4 LWB stepside
I enjoy long quiet walks..........in a junkyard!

Offline bobcooter

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Re: The Cause Of Non-Functioning Fuel Gauge Revealed!
« Reply #3 on: August 12, 2010, 03:41:41 pm »
Thanks, that's good to know!
'79 C-20, 350/400, 3:73 gears, 9 leafs and a headache rack
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Offline howlinwolf

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Re: The Cause Of Non-Functioning Fuel Gauge Revealed!
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2010, 08:23:38 pm »
mine is my sending unit. i grounded it and it moves
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Offline 75chevybakers

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Re: The Cause Of Non-Functioning Fuel Gauge Revealed!
« Reply #5 on: August 14, 2010, 08:20:56 pm »
I love it when you get pissed tear everything apart, scratch your paint up trying then its something small that takes 10 seconds to fix. I get that all time. If I would slow down and calm down.... ???

Offline rroeder96

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Re: The Cause Of Non-Functioning Fuel Gauge Revealed!
« Reply #6 on: August 16, 2010, 07:19:40 pm »
well now thats my problem i got pissed ripped it all out and put autometer white face gauges in and still cant get my fuel gauge to work it just reads over full now does anybody no what i can do now thanks....

Offline 75chevybakers

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Re: The Cause Of Non-Functioning Fuel Gauge Revealed!
« Reply #7 on: August 16, 2010, 09:46:30 pm »
I would guess 2 things, sending unit or unit wiring, or not correct ohm range on sender or gauge

Offline rroeder96

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Re: The Cause Of Non-Functioning Fuel Gauge Revealed!
« Reply #8 on: August 16, 2010, 11:16:12 pm »
i do know the ohms on the gauge are right for my truck it does have a aftermarket fuel pump do you think that would cause the problem thanks

Offline beastie_3

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Re: The Cause Of Non-Functioning Fuel Gauge Revealed!
« Reply #9 on: August 16, 2010, 11:50:37 pm »
Is the fuel pump in the tank, mechanical on the engine, or a external electric pump?

Not sure about how the in tank pump hooks up, but the other two wouldn't affect the fuel gauge.

Offline rroeder96

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Re: The Cause Of Non-Functioning Fuel Gauge Revealed!
« Reply #10 on: August 17, 2010, 12:10:51 am »
the aftermarket fuel pump is out of the tank and im only able to run one tank cause the dual switch dont work either ive had alot of problems out of this whole deal so what i think im going to do wait till fall or winter and pull the bed and start from there and just wire everything back the way it supposed to be and lose that external fuel pump this way i can get both tanks working like they should thanks for your help..

Offline beastie_3

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Re: The Cause Of Non-Functioning Fuel Gauge Revealed!
« Reply #11 on: August 17, 2010, 12:38:05 am »
Let me know if you have specific questions. I have a Holley electric pump and I have replaced my selector valve a few years ago. I bought one made by Pollak.

Check to see if it is actually your switch (in cab), or if it is your selector valve (frame rail-usually).

I love my electric pump, instant start after its been sitting for a long time.