1971 C-10 gas gauge ot working...
 

I helped a friend locate this 71 C10, around Covid time, March 2022.
It seemed like the gas gauge worked when he got it, but has seldom work for quite a while.
I had the sender out of it, recently. This is a California emissions pickup (350), sender has 3/8 and 1/4" pipes on it.
I tested the float movement with an ohm meter. That functioned fine.
Right after I reinstalled the sender it went to 1/8 tank reading, which was likely correct. Now it just reads a fuzz off the "E" mark. I put $35.00 gas in it a minute ago, gauge did not move....

I'm wondering what the common problem could be with these pickups, if there is one...
Gauge cluster is original, old...it is the 6 hole type.:metal:

Thanks!!!

Re: 1971 C-10 gas gauge ot working...
 

Did you try hooking up a ground wire from the sender tube to the body? A piece of wire with alligator clips on each end would work.
.

Re: 1971 C-10 gas gauge ot working...
 

The float itself will fail.

Re: 1971 C-10 gas gauge ot working...
 

Here is a link to Tbone1964's great troubleshooting guide for fuel guages. The guages are pretty trouble free but they are 50 plus years old so they might just need some love.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=640615

Re: 1971 C-10 gas gauge ot working...
 

Thanks, all.
My next stab at working on his pickup will be in a couple of weeks.
Jeff

Re: 1971 C-10 gas gauge ot working...
 

An extreme example of what can happen to the 50 plus year old brass fuel sender floats:


https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...1&d=1709769320