Yet another fuel guage problem... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Longhorn Man · 11-13-2005, 03:05 PM

Seems we have been having a few of these lately huh?
Now, I have yet to troubleshoot this, and in all reality, I may not get to it for a while... I have more pressing things on my mind, and more important things to fix on my truck...esp a hand full before the snow flys.
Anyways... on to my goofy POS.
At first, back in the day of the Pontiac 350, and then into the caddy 425 days (or day to be a bit more acurate) the fuel guage worked fine.
The Cad 500 got tossed in there, but nothing was noticed/not noticed right away due to a couple problems.
I did end up removing the tank, thinking it was filled with peeling POR15, which I was wrong, the fuel pump (electric) crapped out on me, however, there was nothing chainged, the same tank and same sender was reinstalled...and the tank IS grounded fine. (I am very anal about my grounds)
Also, at the same time, I removed my inst panel to replace my aftermarket bum mechanical temp guage (ever seen a mechanical one goe bad???) and installed an electric aftermarket one. The printed circuit board was looked at, like I always do when the inst panel is in my lap. I've seen too many with burnt lines on them to just ignore them.
Full is at 1/2 tank, and the lowest I have run it was to 1/8 tank, but I filled up and put in 21 gallons (!!!!!) at that point, so I was 100 feet from running dry most likely. (stock in cab tank)

So, I know there are eleventy billion variables here... however, has anyone seen this before? Just looking for some quick checks before setting aside a bunch of time to look at it.
Oh yeah, and since my speedo cable broke, and I have YET to locate a replacement, I can't just go by the miles driven. I don't know if I should trust this guage to get worse, or if it is going to stay like this. I do know that the top end (1/2 on the guage) has continued to be full.... and I try not to run it below 1/2 tank (1/4 on the guage)... makes it feel cheaper when refueling.

byrd · 11-13-2005, 06:16 PM

I would change the resistor, being that the gauge is good but not accurate. I know I don't have to explain this to you, but in my opinion it is the resistor for that main reason. not enough resistance to give accurate readings from the sender or too much resistance to give accurate reading. plus it is the cheapest part to replace and te easiest to boot. Randy

Longhorn Man · 11-13-2005, 08:13 PM

That's kinda what I was thinking... just wondering if anyone else has seen it before.

jhow66 · 11-13-2005, 08:19 PM

Look here"
www.fix-a-gauge.com

**68 Stepside** · 11-13-2005, 08:43 PM

I've seen it before, but the problem was never diagnosed in that case...so I guess I can't help. My buddy had a late 80's S15 that did the exact same thing.

**VetteVet** · 11-13-2005, 10:37 PM

My Haynes manual shows a resister in the fuel sender or at least there is a symbol for one. I don't know the value for it offhand but the sender wire runs to the fuse block as you know so check the connection across the fuse and see if there is any corrosion or bad contact there. The sender may be bad also. I agree that it is probably the guage resister. At least we know what it's value should be. I see the thread you started made it to the FAQS.

byrd · 11-13-2005, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhow66

Look here"
www.fix-a-gauge.com

Iagree best place and great price imo

Longhorn Man · 11-13-2005, 11:25 PM

the fix a guage thing... bummer you don't know what you're getting.

Or did I overlook something.
Plus, they ask if you are stuck on 1/4 tank... mine works, just on a much smaller scale.

I can look at the fuse and connections....resistance causing corrosion makes sence.

70c10 · 11-13-2005, 11:58 PM

Andy, when my dads was reading low it was because of a pinhole in the float. I refused to believe it. I popped it out and submerged it under water only to see the air bubbles prove it.

Longhorn Man · 11-14-2005, 12:20 AM

You know, i thought about that...but it has been consistant for 3 months now.

byrd · 11-14-2005, 08:22 AM

Andy,

The fix a gauge, is a resistor with two short leads and fork lugs on the ends dipped in plastic(to hide the color bands to decifer the amount of resistance)
Installs in about 1 minute flat and if you get one from them and it doesn't fix your problem I will buy it from you, so that you are out nothing and I can always use an extra one around. Randy

Longhorn Man · 11-14-2005, 04:36 PM

well honestly, i couldn't even ask that of you...buying a $75 item becouse it doesn't fix my junk...and besides, I don't have 75 bucks.

I WILL however, book mark that and keep it for reference and look back if need be.

jhow66 · 11-14-2005, 05:48 PM

Costs $7.95

Longhorn Man · 11-14-2005, 05:54 PM

wow... i feel like an @ss now. lol!
I coulda SWORN it said 74.99....
oh well.
I guess it IS something to consider then huh?

70rs/ss · 11-14-2005, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

wow... i feel like an @ss now. lol!
I coulda SWORN it said 74.99....
oh well.
I guess it IS something to consider then huh?

Man a whole guage is $29.95! I am too am trying the resistor as my guage is stuck at a quarter of a tank as well, wanna buy mine if it doesn't work!?

byrd · 11-14-2005, 08:41 PM

where are you getting fueal gauges for 29.99? everywhere I have seen them they are asking at least $69.99 to 79.99. and yes 70rs/ss I will buy it if it doesn't fix the gauge, Randy

byrd · 11-14-2005, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

wow... i feel like an @ss now. lol!
I coulda SWORN it said 74.99....
oh well.
I guess it IS something to consider then huh?

I keep saying it is the CHEAPEST thing to replace and also happens to be the easiest as well

70rs/ss · 11-14-2005, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byrd

where are you getting fueal gauges for 29.99? everywhere I have seen them they are asking at least $69.99 to 79.99. and yes 70rs/ss I will buy it if it doesn't fix the gauge, Randy

I believe it was LMC, I know nobody likes LMC, but that guage price is just right.

byrd · 11-15-2005, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70rs/ss

I believe it was LMC, I know nobody likes LMC, but that guage price is just right.

Just looked it up and you were close $38.98, still a good deal, but I bet their s/h would be at least, $10.00 or more. Thanks for the tip .

70rs/ss · 11-15-2005, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byrd

Just looked it up and you were close $38.98, still a good deal, but I bet their s/h would be at least, $10.00 or more. Thanks for the tip .

I must have an older catalog, and yeah I think they charge a minimum for shipping. I am doing the resistor, because my guage is set at 1/4 tank which is tell tale for the resistor, but I mentioned new just as a frame of reference, especially if it might be more than the resistor.

70rs/ss · 11-22-2005, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byrd

Just looked it up and you were close $38.98, still a good deal, but I bet their s/h would be at least, $10.00 or more. Thanks for the tip .

I just went back and looked in the fall 2005 catalog and they are 29.99, (they list for $34.99, but they sell them for $29.99) anyways I just ordered the fixaguage part, hopefully mine will join the world of the working guages soon!!

Longhorn Man · 03-04-2006, 10:19 PM

Update....
it was the resistor.
Thanks.

11-13-2005, 03:05 PM	#1
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Yet another fuel guage problem... Seems we have been having a few of these lately huh? Now, I have yet to troubleshoot this, and in all reality, I may not get to it for a while... I have more pressing things on my mind, and more important things to fix on my truck...esp a hand full before the snow flys. Anyways... on to my goofy POS. At first, back in the day of the Pontiac 350, and then into the caddy 425 days (or day to be a bit more acurate) the fuel guage worked fine. The Cad 500 got tossed in there, but nothing was noticed/not noticed right away due to a couple problems. I did end up removing the tank, thinking it was filled with peeling POR15, which I was wrong, the fuel pump (electric) crapped out on me, however, there was nothing chainged, the same tank and same sender was reinstalled...and the tank IS grounded fine. (I am very anal about my grounds) Also, at the same time, I removed my inst panel to replace my aftermarket bum mechanical temp guage (ever seen a mechanical one goe bad???) and installed an electric aftermarket one. The printed circuit board was looked at, like I always do when the inst panel is in my lap. I've seen too many with burnt lines on them to just ignore them. Full is at 1/2 tank, and the lowest I have run it was to 1/8 tank, but I filled up and put in 21 gallons (!!!!!) at that point, so I was 100 feet from running dry most likely. (stock in cab tank) So, I know there are eleventy billion variables here... however, has anyone seen this before? Just looking for some quick checks before setting aside a bunch of time to look at it. Oh yeah, and since my speedo cable broke, and I have YET to locate a replacement, I can't just go by the miles driven. I don't know if I should trust this guage to get worse, or if it is going to stay like this. I do know that the top end (1/2 on the guage) has continued to be full.... and I try not to run it below 1/2 tank (1/4 on the guage)... makes it feel cheaper when refueling.

11-13-2005, 08:13 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Yet another fuel guage problem... That's kinda what I was thinking... just wondering if anyone else has seen it before.

11-13-2005, 08:19 PM	#4
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Re: Yet another fuel guage problem... Look here" www.fix-a-gauge.com __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

11-13-2005, 08:43 PM	#5
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,690	Re: Yet another fuel guage problem... I've seen it before, but the problem was never diagnosed in that case...so I guess I can't help. My buddy had a late 80's S15 that did the exact same thing. __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

11-13-2005, 10:37 PM	#6
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,719	Re: Yet another fuel guage problem... My Haynes manual shows a resister in the fuel sender or at least there is a symbol for one. I don't know the value for it offhand but the sender wire runs to the fuse block as you know so check the connection across the fuse and see if there is any corrosion or bad contact there. The sender may be bad also. I agree that it is probably the guage resister. At least we know what it's value should be. I see the thread you started made it to the FAQS. __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative.

11-13-2005, 11:25 PM	#8
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Yet another fuel guage problem... the fix a guage thing... bummer you don't know what you're getting. Or did I overlook something. Plus, they ask if you are stuck on 1/4 tank... mine works, just on a much smaller scale. I can look at the fuse and connections....resistance causing corrosion makes sence.

11-13-2005, 11:58 PM	#9
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Re: Yet another fuel guage problem... Andy, when my dads was reading low it was because of a pinhole in the float. I refused to believe it. I popped it out and submerged it under water only to see the air bubbles prove it. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

11-14-2005, 12:20 AM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Yet another fuel guage problem... You know, i thought about that...but it has been consistant for 3 months now.

11-14-2005, 04:36 PM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Yet another fuel guage problem... well honestly, i couldn't even ask that of you...buying a $75 item becouse it doesn't fix my junk...and besides, I don't have 75 bucks. I WILL however, book mark that and keep it for reference and look back if need be.

11-14-2005, 05:48 PM	#13
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Re: Yet another fuel guage problem... Costs $7.95 __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

11-14-2005, 05:54 PM	#14
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Yet another fuel guage problem... wow... i feel like an @ss now. lol! I coulda SWORN it said 74.99.... oh well. I guess it IS something to consider then huh?

03-04-2006, 10:19 PM	#22
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Yet another fuel guage problem... Update.... it was the resistor. Thanks.

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