C1 Gas Guage

[Bob Malone #35242]

Okay, I've looked at all my reference material and can't find anything to help me troubleshoot an inoperable gas guage on my 60. The gauge has been rebuilt and the wiring is new. I suspect the sending unit may be stuck down because the gauge reads "E". When I turn the ignition on, it does deflect slightly from below "E" up to "E". I can bang on the gas tank and get the gauge to jump slightly. I've tightened the gauge wires and insured that I have a good ground. I'm running out of ideas short of pulling the sender out of the tank. I'd like to take some voltage reading before doing that but don't know what it should read.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Bob Malone

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C1 Gas Guage

Disconnect the sender wire from the gauge. Momentarily ground the sender terminal at the gauge with the ignition on. The gauge should read full scale when grounded. If not, the gauge is faulty. If it does read full, then pull the sender and repair or replace.

[Bob Malone #35242]

Re: C1 Gas Guage

Ed,
Because it's easier to get to, I disconnected the sender wire at the tank. Once disconnected, without being grounded, the gauge pegged full scale. When grounded, it went to "E". What does this tell you? Does that sound like the leads are reversed at the gauge?
Bob

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C1 Gas Guage

Sounds like something's wrong for sure. The power wire goes to the outboard terminal. Once upon a time there was a red paper tag on the gauge cautioning against hooking it up incorrectly. Check that out and get back to me. The gauge is readily accessable if you remove the headlamp switch. Mater of fact you can remove the temp/gas gauge pod with the HL switch removed without having to pull the cluster out.