Gas Gauge Doesn't work

I'm having a bit of trouble getting my gas gauge to work. When I turn the key to the 2nd forward ignition position, it moves a little but not very much. The car sat for about 2 years so I think the sending unit is wasted.


Here's what I've done so far. At this point I think it's the actual sending unit but not sure.

1. Visually checked the connection/plug and the wires at the tank. It's all in good shape.

2. Checked the ground on the plug with a meter by putting one lead of the meter in the hole for the black wire and touching ground on the chassis and got continuity between two.

3. Removed the plug from the sending unit and turned the key to the ignition hot position. The gauge read all the way empty.

4. Check with a meter between the 2 terminals on the sending unit and got total continuity. Not sure if I was supposed to get continuity or not.

Thanks for checking out this post guys, any help would be appreciated.

Later,
Josh

 

i think you need a sending unit. the 71-75 units are supposed to be different from the 76-77 ones but people mis-match them all the time with no problems. you can usually find a good used one here in 'wanted' section. but yeah, i think it's the sender...

*note: be sure to make sure your float doesnt have a hole in it. that's happened to me before

 

Thanks a bunch. I kind of thought that's what was up but wanted some other opinions. I'll check the float when I take it out!

 

Pull the plug and short the 2 pins together, with the key in the run position. If the gauge goes to full, its the sending unit. If not, its probably the little voltage regulator mounted on the back of the dash, or the gauge itself.

 

Thanks Mavaholic, I will try that!

 

Hi Guys, I have a 69.5 that has only 1 pin on the sending unit. How do you test the sending unit. It seems to work up to 1/4 tank then goes to empty.

 

...is that...up to...or...down to... 1/4 before going to empty?


......

 

Take the wire off the sending unit and ground that wire. If the gauge goes to full, the circuits are ok and the sending unit is bad.

 

OK I'll do that. Thanks for the help!

 

Got the fuel sender in on Saturday. No leaks and it's working great! Thanks for the help guys.

Rock on,
Josh

 

I was going to suggest putting gas in it...

I thought mine was going out as it said the tank was empty. I messed around with it for an hour or so, and finally decided to put some gas in and lo and behold!!! it started to work again

 

Funny how the gauge works when there's gas in it!