fuel gauge reads empty all the time? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kauaiman · 08-16-2018, 09:23 PM

I know this has been gone over a lot, but i can't seem to figure it out after reading previous posts. Fuel gauge stays at empty with known fuel in tank. If i pull tan fuel sender at fuse panel, gauge goes to 2-3 o'clock like its suppose to. if i ground the fuse panel ,gauge goes to empty. take sender out of truck, using ohm meter it tests up to 90 ohms at full. seems fine? what am i missing?
using the tried and true fuel stick method down the tank for now.
Thanks for any input.

ray_mcavoy · 08-16-2018, 09:39 PM

The 2 most common reasons for the fuel gauge reading empty all the time are:

(1) Short to ground in the sending unit wire. The most common location for that to happen is where the wire passes under the driver side sill plate. Remove the sill plate and carefully check the wire to make sure it hasn't been pinched under the plate or poked with a screw. And if you don't find the problem under there, check the rest of the wire for a short to ground. Note, you don't have to check the section of wire that runs from the fuse panel up to the instrument cluster (your test of unplugging the wire from the fuse panel and seeing the gauge go to 2-3 O'clock has shown that section of wire is not shorted).

(2) Bad float. Filled with gas and staying at the bottom of the tank.

**Canuckvetter** · 08-16-2018, 10:18 PM

My float had a hole in it. Always read empty. Easy fix with a new float.

kauaiman · 08-16-2018, 10:19 PM

thanks, i just put a new brass float in so probably not the problem. I ran a continuity ohms test of the tan wire from the sending unit to the end that plugs into the fuse panel. the wire checked out with no break in it. i will look under the sill plate .

Shinysideup · 08-16-2018, 10:29 PM

If you have a brass float,change that. Mine didnt even seem full of fluid but would not float,switched to plastic float.

71meangreenc10 · 08-17-2018, 12:15 AM

Plastic float solution....

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=666161

Smitty

08-16-2018, 09:23 PM	#1
kauaiman Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: kapaa kauai Posts: 19	fuel gauge reads empty all the time? I know this has been gone over a lot, but i can't seem to figure it out after reading previous posts. Fuel gauge stays at empty with known fuel in tank. If i pull tan fuel sender at fuse panel, gauge goes to 2-3 o'clock like its suppose to. if i ground the fuse panel ,gauge goes to empty. take sender out of truck, using ohm meter it tests up to 90 ohms at full. seems fine? what am i missing? using the tried and true fuel stick method down the tank for now. Thanks for any input.

08-16-2018, 09:39 PM	#2
ray_mcavoy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sherman, ME Posts: 2,363	Re: fuel gauge reads empty all the time? The 2 most common reasons for the fuel gauge reading empty all the time are: (1) Short to ground in the sending unit wire. The most common location for that to happen is where the wire passes under the driver side sill plate. Remove the sill plate and carefully check the wire to make sure it hasn't been pinched under the plate or poked with a screw. And if you don't find the problem under there, check the rest of the wire for a short to ground. Note, you don't have to check the section of wire that runs from the fuse panel up to the instrument cluster (your test of unplugging the wire from the fuse panel and seeing the gauge go to 2-3 O'clock has shown that section of wire is not shorted). (2) Bad float. Filled with gas and staying at the bottom of the tank.

08-16-2018, 10:18 PM	#3
Canuckvetter How did I get this OLD! Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Lamont County, AB, CANADA Posts: 1,047	Re: fuel gauge reads empty all the time? My float had a hole in it. Always read empty. Easy fix with a new float. __________________ 1967 Oshawa built LWB Fleetside. 327,3 OTT, 515 Vermilion, CST, PS, PB, Shoulder Harness, Tach,Vac, Speed Warning, Choke Delete, Manual Throttle, Fawn interior. Dealer installed A/C 04/2015, N34 Rosewood Wheel 06/2023 Members who I have met personally. Metaldoc, chevnkevin, 62 Longbed, 72LHorn, 72MARIO, YBNORML, TBONE1964, Classic Bowties, Chevemall, Dagnabbitt.

08-16-2018, 10:19 PM	#4
kauaiman Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: kapaa kauai Posts: 19	Re: fuel gauge reads empty all the time? thanks, i just put a new brass float in so probably not the problem. I ran a continuity ohms test of the tan wire from the sending unit to the end that plugs into the fuse panel. the wire checked out with no break in it. i will look under the sill plate .

08-17-2018, 12:15 AM	#6
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,179	Re: fuel gauge reads empty all the time? Plastic float solution.... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=666161 Smitty __________________ 71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time 70 G20 Red-E-Kamp Conversion "I'm your Boogy Van"



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