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Old 05-30-2020, 11:49 AM   #1
Oscar the grouch
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1983 Chevy k10 fuel gauge

I’m fairly new to squarebodys as I was with the 67-72 trucks. I just got an all original 1983 Chevy k10 with the mighty 305 and 4 speed. I searched and read the treads on my issue but no luck fixing the issue, what I have going on is my dual tanks switch like they should but the gas gauge stays on 1/4 tank all the time, 1 tank is full and the other is empty as it ran out on me.
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Old 05-30-2020, 02:44 PM   #2
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Re: 1983 Chevy k10 fuel gauge

Probably the sending unit or the ground has gone bad. Start by checking the tan wire near the tank to make sure it has a good ground.
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Old 05-30-2020, 05:30 PM   #3
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Re: 1983 Chevy k10 fuel gauge

The truck has dual tanks and reads the same for both
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Old 05-31-2020, 09:29 AM   #4
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Re: 1983 Chevy k10 fuel gauge

Quote:
Originally Posted by Oscar the grouch View Post
The truck has dual tanks and reads the same for both
Here's a good thread to read up on dual tanks:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=754061

I had a similar issue to yours and it ended up being 2 electrical plugs were crisscrossed underneath the cab. Not saying that is your problem, as mine is an 87 TBI with fuel pumps in tank.

Last edited by Hart_Rod; 05-31-2020 at 09:38 AM.
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Old 06-05-2020, 07:41 PM   #5
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Re: 1983 Chevy k10 fuel gauge

Thank you for the link, I read through it a couple times and did some testing. When I got the gauge cluster apart it’s looking like I need the circuit board in the back of the cluster as I have some lights in that area not working and the fuel gauge ohms seem to be high from some reading I did. The bulbs are good the sockets are good and seat well when put in but no power to them, so am I going in the right direction with this?
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Old 06-05-2020, 08:10 PM   #6
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Re: 1983 Chevy k10 fuel gauge

If you still have one full and one empty tank, measure the ohms on the full tank from the cluster connector. Switch and repeat for the empty tank. Should be near 90 for full and near 0 for empty. This will check your fuel gauge wire from the connector to the tanks.

If the circuit board isn't burnt or melted, you can sometimes clean the contacts with 400~800 grit sandpaper, an eraser or sometimes a mild cleaner like vinegar. Same for the metal clips in the cluster and bulb holders. Gentle is the prime word here.

If you wind up ordering a new circuit board, might add in a few new gauge clips. They don't cost much and probably won't add to the shipping costs.
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Old 06-05-2020, 11:29 PM   #7
Oscar the grouch
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Re: 1983 Chevy k10 fuel gauge

When I checked the ohms on the connection for the fuel gauge I got 120 for the left tank and 115 for the right tank which is still empty,do I need to go to the plug for the whole cluster and check the ohms there on the fuel gauge wire
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Old 06-06-2020, 11:47 AM   #8
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Re: 1983 Chevy k10 fuel gauge

Yes, check at the cluster plug. While there, might check anything that is supposed to be 12V and anything that is supposed to be ground. Possible some of the other issues could be bad supply or ground.
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Old 06-07-2020, 07:53 PM   #9
Oscar the grouch
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Re: 1983 Chevy k10 fuel gauge

Ok tore into the dash today and now scratching my head. Checked the ohms at the plug and the left tank that I filled last night is coming up 71.1 ohms, the right tank is still empty and came up at 96.6 ohms, this is really confusing me.
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