VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 38 voltage

I was having trouble with the gas gauge on a 38 Sedan. When I accelerate the needle will sometimes jump up about 1/8 tank, then it may fall back or bounce between the two spots.

I took the wire off the back of the gas gauge that leads to the tank sender and started the car. With a meter in line the current varied from 0.16 amps to 0.22 amps from idle to about 2000 rpm. When I connected the meter across the tank unit it measured 37 ohm at idle and about 36 ohm at 2000 rpm.

As I brought the rpms up on the car and watched the current, I noticed that even as the current changed slightly 0.16 to about 0.2 amps the needle on the gauge did not move. It only jumped at higher rpms.

Based on this information the voltage in the circuit is changing at higher rpm from 6 to 8 volts. Is this a repairable problem with the voltage regulator? The current regulator is an old Montgomery Wards. I have an original Delco but it’s in the original unopened box and I would like to keep it if I could

Thanks,
Brian

Have you checked the sending unit in the tank? What does the gauge do with the ignition on if you rock the car and "slosh" the gas in the tank? Mac

I checked the sending unit and it had smooth resistance change throughout the movement of the float. BTW, At this time I'm writing to you at 410 and 10 in the Marriott.

Brian

Sorry, that was my only idea other than a short. Hope you enjoyed your stay. When you get back to Chgo. try and contact Jim Leman, Grays Lake area, he may be able to help- he has a "37" sedan. Mac

Forgot to mention Jim posts on this site.