Weak Starter and Gas Guage not moving

[1965c1O]

Hi,

1956 C10.

All at the same time:

Turing the ignition to start the engine, the starter makes a grinding/crunching sound, just barely starting the engine.

Then, noticed the gas gauge not moving, stuck at 1/3 full no matter how much gas is filled.

(However, if I remove the wire at the fuse box near the fuel fuse, the gas gauge jumps to full.)

The actual turn signal on the dash work but not at the front of the hood.

Have a feeling some wire, relay or circuit somewhere is bad/cut/exposed/not working.

Is there any specific area in the engine bay or cab that could cause all this?

Any help is appreciated.

Thank You.

[vince1]

How does it crank with a jumper/screwdriver across the solenoid? Any power out at the light? Not sure but is there a way of shorting the sending unit to check gauge operation? It kind of sounds like your gauge is good. Mine did what you describe and I had to replace the sending unit in the tank.

[j.rigby15r]

Sending unit is bad. Mine did the same thing replaced it and it works great. The only difference is mine was stuck at a different level. But I'd bet it your sending unit. Make sure you get a new gasket too.

As far as your lights not working in the hood. I'd check to see if you have power. When I had a bulb out or bad wiring my dash wouldn't blink just stay on. Id start at the hood and see if you have power and work your way back.

[1965c1O]

vince1,

I am a newbie....if I jumper the starter solenoid, what do I look for and what does it tell me? (Also, that won't cause any other issues?)

Is the only electrical connection from the gas tank the 1 wire to the fuse box, or are there others for the gauge (only seeing one).

[1965c1O]

j.rigby15r,

Will removing just that one wire (to the fuse box from the tank) remove the sending unit from the electrical system all together (just as a test) ?

Thank you.

[1965c1O]

Solution if this helps anyone:

Took the sending unit out.

Hooked it up to a multi-meter. The Ohms reading was fluctuating all over the place and it was hard to get a reading. I then decided to sand down the ground connector as it looked "dirty". Hooked it up to the multi-meter, good solid reading between 0 and 30 Ohms as I moved the sending cork up and down (I believe this is the original from '65).

Next, hooked the sending unit wiring back up in the truck without putting it back in the tank. Turned on the power, move the cork up and down and the gas gauge moves accordingly.

So I guess this is considered a short by a dirty contact ? Either way, if yours is not working, at least make sure the two wires connected to it are making good connections, save you a lot of time.

Also, the starter is no longer grinding.

In addition, I also got the battery re-charged.