74 fuel gauge trouble

[Jim R.]

This car has sat for the last two years with the gauge working before storing and now the gauge is pegged to the right side all the way, any ideas as what to check for first.

[Edward J.]

Re: 74 fuel gauge trouble

Jim, Have you looked at the connections at the rear of fuel tank sender? Also if you take the gas cap off car sometimes if you have small hands you can reach in and pull up on float and watch the fuel gage with the key in on position to watch for movement as you pull up on the lever. another way to pull up on float is to bend a coat hanger with a small bend and use thatto pull upward.

[Jim R.]

Re: 74 fuel gauge trouble

Thanks Ed the connections looked ok and I will try and move the float, there is some rust in the tank and under the cap that could be part of the problem, also I think I have some instructions on how to trouble shoot to see if it is the sending unit that I received from one of the ncrs members,

[Tom R.]

Re: 74 fuel gauge trouble

Jim

When it sits that long and with a car with age, a varnish-like substance can affect sending unit performance. If you find electrical connections do aren't the fix, you may consider removing the sending unit and do some maintenance...no easy task on early C3s. Here's link to an article that describes some fixes to sending units.

http://www.hunt4cleanair.net/Articles/FuelSendingUnitRestore.pdf

[David H.]

Re: 74 fuel gauge trouble

Thanks Ed the connections looked ok ...

Did you check the connection for the ground on the sending unit? (License plate lamps/tail lights)

[Bruce D.]

Re: 74 fuel gauge trouble

Using a clean coat hanger bent just right is better to test the float and work the sending unit rather than risk getting your hand stuck in a tank......