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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: California
Posts: 151
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Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
I have read every gas gauge thread that I could find, but I am still having trouble figuring out what is wrong with my gas gauge. The gauge reads approx. 1/3 tank when FULL. The needle will go down as the level in the tank gets lower...all the way to empty.
I have checked continuity on my sending unit wire and it is fine. I have checked the resistance of the sending unit and various gas levels in the tank. I know its supposed to be a 0-90 ohm scale, but I topped off the tank and it was reading 100 ohms?? Could be my cheap multimeter...not sure I pulled the fuel gauge out of the cluster and tested the resistance across each stud and compared this to the readings given in this thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=640615 My readings are shown in the picture below (sorry for bad diagram) The other pictures are from the thread listed above I also pulled the resistor off the back of the gauge and tried to check resistance, but I was unable to get a reading. Does this mean the resistor is bad? The previous owner installed two saddle tanks on the truck and I don't know if they are wired into the gas gauge somehow. I don't believe they are because the wiring on the back of the gauge/cluster looks untouched. Both saddle tanks are currently bypassed and the electric transfer pump is completely disconnected. Where do I start? |
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#2 |
Who Changed This?
![]() Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 10,397
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
Don't know what the resistances are supposed to be, but you could have a heavy float. My brass float sprung a leak and was half full (or so) with fuel, so it was hanging low. I put in a plastic float from a sender that I was going to use in my '68 Buick, but I ended up putting a '69 tank in it that had a recirc line. I then had to bend the arm a little to get it to read correctly. When it says "Empty", I have about 2 gallons left, which is good enough for me.
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~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA |
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#3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: California
Posts: 151
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
Quote:
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: California
Posts: 151
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
I pulled the sending unit out of the tank and confirmed that it is working properly and the float does not have a leak. Any ideas on what might be the issue here? I am leaning towards resistor...
Last edited by SavageC20; 03-24-2019 at 09:55 PM. |
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#5 |
Workin to live...
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Texas Hill Country
Posts: 261
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
Check your grounds
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Jason |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: California
Posts: 151
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
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#7 | |
The Older Generation
![]() ![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montezuma, Iowa
Posts: 25,490
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
Quote:
Also make sure there is a ground strap from the engine to the frame. LockDoc
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Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - |
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#8 | |
The Older Generation
![]() ![]() ![]() Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Montezuma, Iowa
Posts: 25,490
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
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You might take the drivers side sill plate off and make sure that the wires are not bad under it. It is a fairly common problem. Have you removed the wire from the sending unit and grounded it to the tank? This was posted in a thread by member VetteVet: Quote:
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Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 - |
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#9 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Waterford California
Posts: 2,526
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
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#10 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: California
Posts: 151
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
Quote:
I cleaned up the cab to frame ground and checked continuity, its fine. I checked the ground just below the cluster under the dash and that is fine. I also loosened the tank to cab bolts and tightened them back up. Still the same reading. |
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#11 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Elkhart, Texas
Posts: 1,700
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
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#12 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: California
Posts: 151
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: California
Posts: 151
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
I installed a new (used) resistor on the gauge and it works as it should now. I also replaced my ground going from the battery to the passenger side fender and I installed a ground from the engine block to the frame for good measure.
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Nevada
Posts: 7,237
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
Same symptoms in my C20, was told it's probably the resister. When the gauge shows an 1/8th of a tank I stop for another $20-30. 1/8th tank is more like a 1/4 or so. No intentions of fixing it either, I just like to drive it. No heat, no A/C, rust. If I'm lucky the windshield wipers work, other times just takes a boost
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Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025 |
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#15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: California
Posts: 151
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
Quote:
Yeah I would do the same thing when mine got to 1/8 tank. It wasn't much of a problem because you still know approximately how much fuel you have left, but it started annoying me so I decided to fix it. |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Bennettsville sc
Posts: 105
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Re: Can't Figure Out What's Wrong With My Gas Gauge
I bought a used cluster with tach. The fuel gauge in it would only show a quarter or less. I had to use my other gauge. I already have a new sending unit. I could tell when it was low also as when it got near the empty Mark it was low.
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1972 c10 cheyenne. 383 stroker 10-1 280 magnum comp cams 700r4 tranny. |
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