Fuel gauge / cluster wiring problem!

Hi All

Since owning my 73 the fuel gauge has never worked.

First thing I did was to ground the sender and check the wiring but this was ok.

So without pulling the cluster I bought a new voltage regulator as I was ordering other parts anyway. I fitted the regulator which made no difference at all. So now I know I either have a faulty gauge or wiring!

I studied the wiring diagram and couldnt get my head around it at first because of a difference in wire colors, but I think I know where the issue is but before I go flashing a live wire I wanted some confirmation.

On the cluster connector, position 17 shows as black/with green, on my vehicle its a solid black wire. Now when looking at the diagram the black/with green is an ignition live which terminates and feeds several different components. All the other components on the vehicle are working.

So my question is:

1. Should position 17 (top left in pic) on the connector in fact be a 12v ign live (this position feeds the voltage regulator)?

2. In the diagram there is some kind of termination/splitting of the wires (in orange highlight pen). Is this a connector somewhere, or is this all soldered together & taped somewhere in the loom?




If my theory is confirmed, it should just be a case of running a new ign live to the cluster in pos. 17

 

Ok, went with my instinct and powered up pos. 17 on the connector. This gave power to the regulator and the needle moved every so slightly to the E line.

Knowing I have at least half a tank of fuel knew this still wasnt right.

So I also bridged the sender connector and the gauge immediately went to full.

So it seems I had two problems which is good and bad

Now I have solved the cluster issue, I now have to purchase a new sender, and hopefully that will be the end of it

 

Yeah, going to have a look before I order one, I just need to keep a can of gas in the trunk and run down whats in the tank

 

When I took my sending unit out, the float was missing. It wasnt even in the tank anymore.

 

Floated away??

 

If fuel tank is less than half full. Jack up left side of car so rear left tire is approx. 6 inches off the ground...you can now pull sending unit out without dumping fuel on the ground...