1970 Fuel Gauge question

[robc7622]

my fuel gauge is stuck at 3 o'clock position. As you know the e>f is 11 to 1. have not tested anything yet just thought I would see if you guys could point me in the right direction.

[Livrat]

When the gauge goes to the 3 o"clock spot it means that the electrical connection between the gauge and the sender is open, I would start at the fuse box by unplugging the brown wire marked "fuel" then take a wire, hook one end to a ground and the other to the fuel terminal you removed the brown wire from, turn on the ign and see if the fuel gauge drops to empty, if it does you know that from that terminal to the gauge is all good. if that works, I would reconnect the brown wire to the fuse box, then go behind the seat and unhook the brown wire from the fuel sender, turn on the ign, touch the brown wire to a ground and see if the fuel gauge goes to empty, if it does that means there is an issue with the sender, if the gauge stays at 3 o"clock that means the brown wire from the fuse block to the sender is broken some where.

[67chevemall]

That is a good explanation! Thanks
Have to get this gauge going.

[robc7622]

thanks for the very through explanation

[Steven R]

I realize this is a old post but by doing a search I found this very help full to diagnose my problem and eliminate other issues with my fuel gauge. I followed Livrat's advise and still the gauge was not reading right.

I then pulled the sending unit out of the tank and hooked up the brown wire and then touched the sending unit to the tank to ground it , fuel gauge went to "E" like it has been doing from the start. I then lifted the arm with the float and the gauge went ti 1/2 and then to full. and back to whatever I was holding it to. I did a wood stick test in the tank to make sure I had enough fuel in tank to read and was about 1/4 full. Reinstalled and nothing but "E" with the gauge.

Stumped

I found and old sending unit on the parts pile but it is for a tank that has a return line. mine is only a single fuel line. Installed any way and gauge was reading about 1/3. pulled it out and I compared them side by side. Thats when it DAWNED on me the original was heavier. I removed the old float bulb and replaced with the other one, reinstalled and gauge now reads just under 1/4.

I cleaned the old float bulb and cant find a hole but can feel and hear liquid in there. It will float in water. But still no hole. Came back two hours later after doing some more research and the float bulb had a very small wet spot under it. Most have a ultra small hole in it.

I want the last 5 hours of my life back. for a 6 dollar part.