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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 396
Backyard Mechanic
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OP
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 396 |
My fuel gauge registers empty regardless of how much fuel it has in it. Since I could not find an aftermarket sending unit to fit the new tank I put the original one back in. I thought I tested it and that it worked before it was installed. Following the 34 repair manual, I disconnected the inline wire connection near the tank. When apart, the fuel gauge shows full. If I understand the manual, this means the sending unit is the problem and the gauge is OK. Am I correct? If so, I guess I will look harder at finding a sending unit. In the meantime, will leaving the wire disconnected and the gauge reading full cause any damage to the gauge? If not, I'll leave it open since it makes me feel better to have the gauge on full rather than empty. 
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 521
Oil Can Mechanic
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Oil Can Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 521 |
Generally speaking, if the gauge shows full when the ignition is on then you probably have an "open" wire to the sender, run a jumper from the sender to the gauge and see if anything changes. To check the gauge short the sender-wire side to ground and see if the gauge goes to zero.
ron
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 396
Backyard Mechanic
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OP
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 396 |
Ron,
I guess I wasn't clear in my first post because that is exactly what I did. My concern is not the gauge, it works, but the sending unit. Also I still am wondering if it is OK to leave the wire disconnected, or open, which leaves the gauge showing full. Or would this cause damage to the gauge?
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 409
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 409 |
One more thing to check. if you still have the old original cork float on your sending unite it could be "gas logged" like water logged. It will sit on the bottom of your tank forever until you change it. Also when you hooked the wire up to the back of your gauge when you installed the wire harness, if you were not very careful the stud will turn slightly breaking a very fine wire inside the gauge. If this happens sometimes you can take the gauge apart and fix it. Good luck.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 396
Backyard Mechanic
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OP
Backyard Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 396 |
Thanks for the two posts. I know the gauge is OK since it shows empty when everything is hooked up and full when I disconnect the wire to the sending unit. At least that's what the manual says will happen. So my concern is: Would it damage the gauge if I leave it open (unhooked) until I can repair the sending unit? As I said before, I would rather it show full than empty.
I tried to install a universal sending unit earlier but the only way it would line up with the unequally spaced holes in the (new)tank caused the float to hit the internal baffle. So that is why I put the old one back in.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1 |
Take a closer look at the universal sending unit you have. In some cases the unit is constructed so you can move the arm to the correct position when you encounter a problem like you have.  
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Backyard Mechanic
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OP
Backyard Mechanic
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Ray,
I returned the universal unit months ago and went ahead and installed the tank with the old sending unit. I'm still looking for someone to answer my question in the first post. Will it hurt the fuel gauge to leave the wire open (disconnected) at the tank with the gauge showing full when the ignition is on.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1 |
I don't see a problem, however it is just as easy to disconnect the gage and the sending unit.
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 396
Backyard Mechanic
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OP
Backyard Mechanic
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Since it may be a while (winter) before I have the time to pull the tank and replace the sending unit, I would rather the gauge show full than empty when the the switch is on. So I'll leave the gauge hooked up and the sending unit disconnected. A "full" gauge just looks better to me. I know, I'm a bit weird. Thanks for the reply.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 521
Oil Can Mechanic
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Oil Can Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 521 |
Falcon; it wont matter if you leave the wire disconnected since it will have no path to ground. Make sure you either tape the hot wire or disconnect the wire to the sender.
ron
ron
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 396
Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
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Ron,
I have done just as you suggest. Replacing the sending unit will be a good job to do this coming winter. So for now, the tank is "full". Thanks for the reply!
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