Fuel Gauge Problems - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

orange72350 · 11-02-2003, 10:59 PM

I installed my new sending unit in my stock gas tank, and something is fishy. i pull the wire off the gauge, and it pegs. gauge should be good then. Problem is, the gauge is only reading 1/4 tank when the tank is full. after the tank gets under 1/4, it seems to work fine. as it normally should. sounds like the float is hooking up, but its installed the same way the old one was(as far as i can remember). Any ideas what to look for, and other ways to test the components?I only want to do this once more, as taking the seat out to get at the sending unit really sucks
thanx in advance
dale

rustyold69 · 11-02-2003, 11:08 PM

maybe the float is getting hung up on something inside of the tank

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 11-02-2003, 11:11 PM

Does the float point toward the driver's side?

cableguy0 · 11-02-2003, 11:23 PM

bad floats outta the box arent unheard of could be leaky to start with. pull it out and see what the deal is make sure it isnt sticking anywhere in its travel range

lukecp · 11-02-2003, 11:25 PM

I had a similiar problem and the float was somehow binding...i removed and reinstalled the sending unit and it worked again

orange72350 · 11-02-2003, 11:50 PM

no, the float is facing the passenger side. is that wrong? does anyone have pics of a stock sending unit? something tells me i have a differnet setup or something happening.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 11-03-2003, 09:58 AM

Hey orange, all of the floats I have pulled the pickup tube (with the screen) and the float all faced toward the drivers side. So with the tank in the cab looking directly at the sending unit the float and lower pickup tube point to your right. And the top tube points to the passenger side. I just pulled the tank on mine last week to change the tank, I had to use my original sending unit because the other one did not work. And I also pulled the one on my '67 and the one on my buddy's '69, so I am 100% positive they all faced to the drivers side.

Ihope this helps!!!

11-02-2003, 10:59 PM	#1
orange72350 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cold, Snowy High Level, Alberta Canada Eh Posts: 394	Fuel Gauge Problems I installed my new sending unit in my stock gas tank, and something is fishy. i pull the wire off the gauge, and it pegs. gauge should be good then. Problem is, the gauge is only reading 1/4 tank when the tank is full. after the tank gets under 1/4, it seems to work fine. as it normally should. sounds like the float is hooking up, but its installed the same way the old one was(as far as i can remember). Any ideas what to look for, and other ways to test the components?I only want to do this once more, as taking the seat out to get at the sending unit really sucks thanx in advance dale __________________ 2003 yamaha raptor. Stock, but it still hauls!!!! 2000 skiddo mxz 700. Camoplast 1.5 inch track, jaws twin pipes, b+b can, custom built and weighted clutch, wiseco piston, high comp heads. its very fast. wow. 72 c-10 longbox. Bright Orange. Brand new 350, rv cam, performer intake, qjet, headers, 2 1/2 inch exhaust into hooker areo chamber mufflers. Body work coming soon. "dont let yer mind wander, its to little to go places by itself." "Forget the herse, cause i'll never die"-ACDC Back In Black "If It's To Loud, Yer Just Too Old" "I Love Anything Fast Enough To Do Something Stupid In" "Instant idiot, just add beer!!""

11-02-2003, 11:08 PM	#2
rustyold69 student wrench turner Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: wrightstown, wisconsin Posts: 192	maybe the float is getting hung up on something inside of the tank __________________ 1969 Chevy C-10 with 250 L6 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax with banks six gun

11-02-2003, 11:11 PM	#3
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Does the float point toward the driver's side? __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

11-02-2003, 11:23 PM	#4
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	bad floats outta the box arent unheard of could be leaky to start with. pull it out and see what the deal is make sure it isnt sticking anywhere in its travel range __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

11-02-2003, 11:25 PM	#5
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	I had a similiar problem and the float was somehow binding...i removed and reinstalled the sending unit and it worked again __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

11-02-2003, 11:50 PM	#6
orange72350 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cold, Snowy High Level, Alberta Canada Eh Posts: 394	no, the float is facing the passenger side. is that wrong? does anyone have pics of a stock sending unit? something tells me i have a differnet setup or something happening. __________________ 2003 yamaha raptor. Stock, but it still hauls!!!! 2000 skiddo mxz 700. Camoplast 1.5 inch track, jaws twin pipes, b+b can, custom built and weighted clutch, wiseco piston, high comp heads. its very fast. wow. 72 c-10 longbox. Bright Orange. Brand new 350, rv cam, performer intake, qjet, headers, 2 1/2 inch exhaust into hooker areo chamber mufflers. Body work coming soon. "dont let yer mind wander, its to little to go places by itself." "Forget the herse, cause i'll never die"-ACDC Back In Black "If It's To Loud, Yer Just Too Old" "I Love Anything Fast Enough To Do Something Stupid In" "Instant idiot, just add beer!!""

11-03-2003, 09:58 AM	#7
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Hey orange, all of the floats I have pulled the pickup tube (with the screen) and the float all faced toward the drivers side. So with the tank in the cab looking directly at the sending unit the float and lower pickup tube point to your right. And the top tube points to the passenger side. I just pulled the tank on mine last week to change the tank, I had to use my original sending unit because the other one did not work. And I also pulled the one on my '67 and the one on my buddy's '69, so I am 100% positive they all faced to the drivers side. Ihope this helps!!! __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

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