Can you unstick a stuck sending unit? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1Low53Burb · 09-07-2008, 02:43 PM

What it is, my gas gauge on my '67 stopped working. It will read a 1/4 tank with the key off. When I crank it, it will go to empty.

Would that be my sending unit in the tank has gone bad or just maybe stuck? Or, could it be my gauge?

ChevLoRay · 09-07-2008, 02:51 PM

I don't know the basis for the reading on the guage in your truck. I know you're running a '53, right? Are you using the stock guage, or what? Is it the stock sending unit? I reckon it doesn't matter as far as the system is concerned if all the components are original. I guess what I'm saying is I don't know if a lack of resistance generates an empty reading or vice-versa. I'm gonna guess that a ground issue may be the reason for the incorrect reading, but not gonna rule out that the float may be hanging up inside the tank and generating the error. You may have to pull the tank and see what's going on, but be sure the guages are properly grounded. Then again, there's the wiring between the sending unit and the guage. Should be one wire, right?

1Low53Burb · 09-07-2008, 02:52 PM

No sorry, I mean on my '67. Sorry!

Ilike 72"s · 09-07-2008, 02:55 PM

I have found that it usually is the wire under the sillplate . The chrome piece that's on top of the rocker. It gets rust, dirt and gravel under it that rubs the wire until it ground out. Take the cocet off, lift the wire out so its not touching anything-- then try the gauge. Good luck. Dennis

1Low53Burb · 09-07-2008, 03:46 PM

UPDATE-

With the key off, I disconnected the wire at the tank, the gas gauge shot up past the full mark almost to the three o'clock position!

I reconnected the wire, turned the key to the on position and the gauge shoots back down to empty.

Now I have at least a half tank so I know I'm not empty. So would this be electrical or mechanical?

PanelDeland · 09-07-2008, 04:06 PM

Could be either, check the wire like "Ilike72's" said.

1Low53Burb · 09-07-2008, 04:23 PM

Sorry, I did check that wire. Nothing changed. I looked it over real good and it looked fine.

cdowns · 09-07-2008, 04:23 PM

floats go bad sometimes

Longhorn Man · 09-07-2008, 04:37 PM

The wire is fine.
If the wire is grounded out, it'll go to empty, disconnected, it'll go to way past full as indicated.
By unplugging it, and it shooting to the 3 O'clock position, that tells us the wire is not grounded out anywhere else.
Not only does this tell us the wire is good, but it also tells us the guage is good, it's getting power, and it is recieving the signal from the sending unit.

Your problem is going to be a bum sending unit, or a float with a pin hole in it, which causes it to fill with fuel, and sink to the bottom.

1Low53Burb · 09-07-2008, 05:08 PM

So I need to break down and spend 39.99 and get a new one from Jim Carters?

Thanks!

Longhorn Man · 09-07-2008, 05:49 PM

unless the float is just full of gas

09-07-2008, 02:43 PM	#1
1Low53Burb Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Little Rock, AR Posts: 87	Can you unstick a stuck sending unit? What it is, my gas gauge on my '67 stopped working. It will read a 1/4 tank with the key off. When I crank it, it will go to empty. Would that be my sending unit in the tank has gone bad or just maybe stuck? Or, could it be my gauge? Last edited by 1Low53Burb; 09-07-2008 at 02:52 PM.

09-07-2008, 02:51 PM	#2
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Can you unstick a stuck sending unit? I don't know the basis for the reading on the guage in your truck. I know you're running a '53, right? Are you using the stock guage, or what? Is it the stock sending unit? I reckon it doesn't matter as far as the system is concerned if all the components are original. I guess what I'm saying is I don't know if a lack of resistance generates an empty reading or vice-versa. I'm gonna guess that a ground issue may be the reason for the incorrect reading, but not gonna rule out that the float may be hanging up inside the tank and generating the error. You may have to pull the tank and see what's going on, but be sure the guages are properly grounded. Then again, there's the wiring between the sending unit and the guage. Should be one wire, right? __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

09-07-2008, 02:52 PM	#3
1Low53Burb Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Little Rock, AR Posts: 87	Re: Can you unstick a stuck sending unit? No sorry, I mean on my '67. Sorry!

09-07-2008, 02:55 PM	#4
Ilike 72"s Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: eastern oregon Posts: 623	Re: Can you unstick a stuck sending unit? I have found that it usually is the wire under the sillplate . The chrome piece that's on top of the rocker. It gets rust, dirt and gravel under it that rubs the wire until it ground out. Take the cocet off, lift the wire out so its not touching anything-- then try the gauge. Good luck. Dennis

09-07-2008, 03:46 PM	#5
1Low53Burb Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Little Rock, AR Posts: 87	Re: Can you unstick a stuck sending unit? UPDATE- With the key off, I disconnected the wire at the tank, the gas gauge shot up past the full mark almost to the three o'clock position! I reconnected the wire, turned the key to the on position and the gauge shoots back down to empty. Now I have at least a half tank so I know I'm not empty. So would this be electrical or mechanical?

09-07-2008, 04:06 PM	#6
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Can you unstick a stuck sending unit? Could be either, check the wire like "Ilike72's" said. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

09-07-2008, 04:23 PM	#7
1Low53Burb Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Little Rock, AR Posts: 87	Re: Can you unstick a stuck sending unit? Sorry, I did check that wire. Nothing changed. I looked it over real good and it looked fine.

09-07-2008, 04:23 PM	#8
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Can you unstick a stuck sending unit? floats go bad sometimes __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

09-07-2008, 04:37 PM	#9
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Can you unstick a stuck sending unit? The wire is fine. If the wire is grounded out, it'll go to empty, disconnected, it'll go to way past full as indicated. By unplugging it, and it shooting to the 3 O'clock position, that tells us the wire is not grounded out anywhere else. Not only does this tell us the wire is good, but it also tells us the guage is good, it's getting power, and it is recieving the signal from the sending unit. Your problem is going to be a bum sending unit, or a float with a pin hole in it, which causes it to fill with fuel, and sink to the bottom.

09-07-2008, 05:08 PM	#10
1Low53Burb Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Little Rock, AR Posts: 87	Re: Can you unstick a stuck sending unit? So I need to break down and spend 39.99 and get a new one from Jim Carters? Thanks!

09-07-2008, 05:49 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: Can you unstick a stuck sending unit? unless the float is just full of gas

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