Fuel gauge not working on Palm Beach

[cvtech1]

I own a 2006 Palm Beach 185 Bay Dancer and my fuel gauge just stop working several months ago. My boat mechanic said I need to take it to a fiberglass guy to replace sending unit. Not sure if he did any testing or just know it needs replacing. Is there anything else I could do first?

 

[nola mike]

I own a 2006 Palm Beach 185 Bay Dancer and my fuel gauge just stop working several months ago. My boat mechanic said I need to take it to a fiberglass guy to replace sending unit. Not sure if he did any testing or just know it needs replacing. Is there anything else I could do first?

You could give us a hint as to what engine you're working on and what the problem is.

 

[mike_i]

Can you access the top of the tank, mainly the sending unit? Or the back of the gauge?

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, there are 3 parts to a fuel gauge, Sender, gauge and wiring. The wiring is easy to check. The gauge requires ground, +12VDC and sender wires, that are clean, tight and supply the correct signals.

First check: Grounding the sender post should make the gauge react. If it doesn't the wiring or gauge is likely bad.

Second check (after gauge is proved good and wiring is good) The senders are simply variable resistors. They need a good ground, plus a clean tight sender wire to the gauge. If you pull the sender out of the tank, and manipulate the float, the gauge should deflect.