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10-12-2010, 11:30 AM
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#1 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Kansas city
Posts: 756
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Gas gague troubles.
This week my trucks gas gague has been kind of acting up. It pegs way past full. Then when I turn it off the gague will some times go back to where the needle should be pointing. Could this be a ground issue? It was working this morning on the way to school.
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***My 84 short bed build up***** http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...68#post3481968 |
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10-12-2010, 02:42 PM
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#2 |
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Arrived on a Pale Horse
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SnagTown Indiana
Posts: 2,524
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Re: Gas gague troubles.
A bad ground will cause them to read below empty all the time is what I've typically seen. Check the connector on top of the sending unit to see if it's loose/corroded.
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Jason 87 V30 350TBI/400 White w/Boss V-plow 89 R3500 CC SRW |
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10-12-2010, 09:16 PM
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#3 |
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Desert Rat
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Mojave Desert
Posts: 169
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Re: Gas gague troubles.
Also make sure that this thing is plugged into the firewall. After a recent carb swap on my 77, I had the same problem with the gas gauge showing WAY above full. After I plugged this in, all was well.
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10-12-2010, 09:28 PM
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#4 |
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78K & 79C Jimmys
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA
Posts: 7,901
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Re: Gas gague troubles.
short the sending unit to ground = empty,
unhook it it will go over full but what does that wire hook to?
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John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350 |
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10-13-2010, 01:27 PM
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#5 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Mpls, MN USA
Posts: 151
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Re: Gas gague troubles.
On my '85, there is a single-wire connector, orange wire just barely accessible between the cab and bed. When that comes disconnected from it's post on top of the tank, the gauge will do what you described, read way over past full. I'm betting your problem lies there as well.
creativity will be required to get it reconnected if it came off, or needs to come off.
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TomS. '98 S-10 Blazer 4dr 4wd - 4.3, AT, stock & '85 K-10 w/ 305, 700r4, np208, and RUST! SOLD Dec 2014 |
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10-13-2010, 01:33 PM
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#6 |
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Arrived on a Pale Horse
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SnagTown Indiana
Posts: 2,524
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Re: Gas gague troubles.
Get a 6 or 7 year old kid to reach in there and plug it back in.
 Otherwise you may need to loosen the bed bolts and raise it a few inches.
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Jason 87 V30 350TBI/400 White w/Boss V-plow 89 R3500 CC SRW |
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06-15-2011, 05:05 PM
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#7 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: salt lake city, Utah
Posts: 10
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Re: Gas gague troubles.
thanks everyone for your input, im trying all your ideas so keep em coming!!!
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06-17-2011, 07:39 AM
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#8 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Junction City, KS
Posts: 26
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Re: Gas gague troubles.
If that don't fix could have a faulty sending unit. That is a bit more to check but not that bad yet.
Last edited by nelsonadam84; 06-17-2011 at 07:39 AM. |
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06-17-2011, 07:54 PM
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: laurel hill Fl
Posts: 645
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Re: Gas gague troubles.
Its normal if at full its past F for a good while. i have to use 5 gallons before my truck hits Full when its off it goes down slightly
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1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ]  1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e |
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06-17-2011, 08:06 PM
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#10 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 3,189
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Re: Gas gague troubles.
I heard an interview with a Ford engineer on NPR a couple months ago who said that drivers have an expectation of "fullness" on the gauge when the tank is filled up, and an inclination to run the vehicle to the limit on empty. This is apparently a kind of "getting your money's worth" from a tank of gas mentality.
So Ford, and all other vehicle manufacturers, purposely design the fuel gauges/sending units to overestimate the fuel level when the tank is filled up ("I got my money's worth") and underestimate the fuel level when the tank is near empty ("I better get some gas soon before I run out"). Human psychology in automotive design. |
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06-17-2011, 08:18 PM
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#11 | |
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2010
Location: laurel hill Fl
Posts: 645
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Re: Gas gague troubles.
Quote:
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1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ] 1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e |
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06-17-2011, 08:35 PM
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#12 |
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Moderator
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Wentworth, NH
Posts: 4,977
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Re: Gas gague troubles.
I read the same thing in one of my mid 70s Chevrolet Service News publications. GM re-calibrated the CK truck fuel gauge and sender system around somwhere between 74 & 78 so that F-1/2 was more like F-5/8 or F-11/16. That makes 1/2-E actually 3/8-E or 5/16-E in the tank. That's why the bottom half of the gauge drops so fast.
A direct result of the artificial OPEC oil shortages in 1974. Back on topic. A loose or pinched sender wire and a loose or missing ground will cause the gauge to peg intermittently. The tank can still ground poorly through contact on the straps and frame. I had this happen with my 1985 C10 after i replaced the tank. The ground was completely missing from the old tank. After I installed a ground strap from the frame to the sender my problem went away. |
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06-17-2011, 10:56 PM
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#13 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Junction City, KS
Posts: 26
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Re: Gas gague troubles.
Yea the ground wire could be bad. Multimeter could be your best friend.
Last edited by nelsonadam84; 06-18-2011 at 12:57 AM. |
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06-18-2011, 12:53 AM
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#14 |
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Chevys Kick A$$
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Zootown, MT
Posts: 12,699
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Re: Gas gague troubles.
Yea it doesn't sound like a ground it sounds like the power wire coming out of your tank hopefully. Cause if it's sending unit have to pull the bed or drop the tank!
Posted via Mobile Device
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*HOODS is what I answer too* -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold  -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit  -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER  I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!
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