Epileptic Gas Gauge - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

toddtheodd · 09-14-2004, 08:49 AM

My gas gauge bounces around like an epileptic after playing video games and smoking crank. I "think" I remember mention of a "resistor" or "something" that goes "somewhere" that prevents this.
Am I crazy?

If not, what is the part number. Where does it go. Anybody have pictures of it hooked up? (The reason I ask for pictures is that I have to play with the po's wiring to do this.)
Todd

toddtheodd · 09-14-2004, 10:47 AM

ttt

ddsmith · 09-14-2004, 04:44 PM

If your gas gage is bouncing around I would lift up your door sill plate and thoroughly inspect the wire which runs back to your sending unit. If it gets the insulation wore off in a spot, and frequently does, it could cause this as the truck goes over bumps and the wire grounds then ungrounds the feed from the gage.

Longhorn Man · 09-14-2004, 04:48 PM

I agree with ddsmith. I was thinking this very thing as I read your post.

toddtheodd · 09-14-2004, 05:54 PM

It only bounces around as the tank gets empty. A full tank does not bounce. This "dancing" is due to the gas sloshing inside the tank (sorry I didn't make that clearer in the beginning). The emptier the tank gets, the worse the gauge... jiggles. I "thought" that there was mention of a resistor or something that goes inline to "cut down" on the slosh readings. It was there from the factory, and goes bad or something. It was in an old post from a long long time ago. But now that there is no search I cannot find it.
Todd

cableguy0 · 09-14-2004, 06:30 PM

thats pretty much normal for these old tanks with no baffles nothing you can do about it

toddtheodd · 09-14-2004, 08:21 PM

I can't believe that these trucks had "floppy" gas gauges off the show room floor without people complaining.

68w/sbc406 · 09-14-2004, 08:32 PM

mine doesnt move around unless i am on a hill or something. dont know whats different though

toddtheodd · 09-14-2004, 08:47 PM

I know there was mention of a resistor. It supposedly kept the gas gauge from being so "sensitive" to flucuations. I think it went on the back of the gauge between the wire and the gauge.
You must still have a working resistor 68w/sbc406.
Todd

ddsmith · 09-15-2004, 06:27 AM

Are you sure it was a resistor? I can understand a capacitor as a filter maybe but not a resistor. A resistor would add resistance to a circuit which uses resistance to figure out how much fuel is in the tank.

70c10 · 09-15-2004, 07:13 AM

I thought the resistor was for the amp gauge. I would buy a new fuel sending unit, maybe the float is bad.

toddtheodd · 09-15-2004, 08:18 AM

I thought it was a resistor, maybe it's a capacitor.
Does anybody have the electril diagram for the wiring of the fuel gauge. It should show on there if there is anything.

09-14-2004, 08:49 AM	#1
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	Epileptic Gas Gauge My gas gauge bounces around like an epileptic after playing video games and smoking crank. I "think" I remember mention of a "resistor" or "something" that goes "somewhere" that prevents this. Am I crazy? If not, what is the part number. Where does it go. Anybody have pictures of it hooked up? (The reason I ask for pictures is that I have to play with the po's wiring to do this.) Todd

09-14-2004, 04:44 PM	#3
ddsmith Glowing since 1978 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Lusby,MD,USA Posts: 532	If your gas gage is bouncing around I would lift up your door sill plate and thoroughly inspect the wire which runs back to your sending unit. If it gets the insulation wore off in a spot, and frequently does, it could cause this as the truck goes over bumps and the wire grounds then ungrounds the feed from the gage. __________________ 66 Chevy C30 Stakebody Dump, PS,PB, 327cu in 71 Corvette Coupe 454 4 speed 69 Chevy C20 Custom Camper

09-14-2004, 06:30 PM	#6
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	thats pretty much normal for these old tanks with no baffles nothing you can do about it __________________ 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.

09-14-2004, 08:32 PM	#8
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	mine doesnt move around unless i am on a hill or something. dont know whats different though __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

09-15-2004, 06:27 AM	#10
ddsmith Glowing since 1978 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Lusby,MD,USA Posts: 532	Are you sure it was a resistor? I can understand a capacitor as a filter maybe but not a resistor. A resistor would add resistance to a circuit which uses resistance to figure out how much fuel is in the tank. __________________ 66 Chevy C30 Stakebody Dump, PS,PB, 327cu in 71 Corvette Coupe 454 4 speed 69 Chevy C20 Custom Camper

09-14-2004, 10:47 AM	#2
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	ttt

09-14-2004, 04:48 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	I agree with ddsmith. I was thinking this very thing as I read your post.

09-14-2004, 05:54 PM	#5
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	It only bounces around as the tank gets empty. A full tank does not bounce. This "dancing" is due to the gas sloshing inside the tank (sorry I didn't make that clearer in the beginning). The emptier the tank gets, the worse the gauge... jiggles. I "thought" that there was mention of a resistor or something that goes inline to "cut down" on the slosh readings. It was there from the factory, and goes bad or something. It was in an old post from a long long time ago. But now that there is no search I cannot find it. Todd

09-14-2004, 08:21 PM	#7
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	I can't believe that these trucks had "floppy" gas gauges off the show room floor without people complaining.

09-14-2004, 08:47 PM	#9
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	I know there was mention of a resistor. It supposedly kept the gas gauge from being so "sensitive" to flucuations. I think it went on the back of the gauge between the wire and the gauge. You must still have a working resistor 68w/sbc406. Todd

09-15-2004, 07:13 AM	#11
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	I thought the resistor was for the amp gauge. I would buy a new fuel sending unit, maybe the float is bad. __________________ 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

09-15-2004, 08:18 AM	#12
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	I thought it was a resistor, maybe it's a capacitor. Does anybody have the electril diagram for the wiring of the fuel gauge. It should show on there if there is anything.



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