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how do i test my fuel guage?
wiseoldub - March 30th, 2003 at 07:48 PM

i have just put the fuel tank back in and filled it a little and ....no read. so it came out again and after asking a few q's, i put a 12v one in to match the new power set up[duh] and still no read! i'm going to try one more sender unit but maybe i should be looking at the guage? how do i know if its doing its thing?
btw...its a 66 - 67 split!where would i get another one? anyone?
cheers josh


KruizinKombi - March 30th, 2003 at 08:07 PM

Maybe hook it up and dip it in a bucket of water?


Tnate - March 30th, 2003 at 09:11 PM

Empty the fuel tank completely.
Add 10L of fuel, if the gauge goes to 1/4 then its working.
If you add another 10L and it goes to 1/2 it's still working.
Do that again twice for the 3/4 and 4/4 readings.

Conversely, just ground the wire to the gauge from the sender to test if the gauge is working.

Cheers
Tnate


70AutoStik - March 30th, 2003 at 09:20 PM

more serious answer is to pull it out and whack an Ohmmeter across it - move the float through it's range and look for a smooth change in the reading (you really need an analogue meter for this.) If it passes this test, you'll have to look at your fuel guage - if I remember right, it should go to full if you ground the wire to the sender.


wiseoldub - March 31st, 2003 at 07:46 PM

cheers guys... that makes plenty of sense!!
cheers josh
[i should have known to try the ground trick!!duh]


vw54 - March 31st, 2003 at 10:04 PM

Its pretty simple to test the gauge itself.

Earth out or ground the wire that goes to the sender unit... ignition on and the gauge should read full.

If not try another gauge first its easiest to remove rather than the tank and sender unit.


NigeType3 - April 1st, 2003 at 03:07 PM

Hay on a simmilar topic what causes the gauge needle to swing back and forth. Mine dose this all the time. would it be a bad connection somewhere?

Cheers Nige


vw54 - April 1st, 2003 at 06:25 PM

Sounds like it check all the wiring first


70AutoStik - April 2nd, 2003 at 08:27 PM

A bad connection can cause this (corrosion on the spade lug connection to the tank is common,) but it can also be the sender itself - try the same check with an ohmmeter.


Tnate - April 3rd, 2003 at 06:52 PM

No, no,no. If the needle is swaying, it is a sign that the vibrator/resistor is about to die.

The vibrator is a metal thingy that attaches to the +ve side of the gauge.
But yes, also check the wiring thoroughly.

Cheers
Tnate