Fuel Gauge Stuck as Full

[dm36415]

I'm new to this forum, as I just bought a 1994 20' Lowe Pontoon boat with a 50HP Evinrude, so I anticipate I will be posting several questions as I fix up the little glitches with her.

First task is the fuel gauge is stuck showing full. How do I diagnose (gauge vs. stuck float in the tank), and if the float in the tank is the culprit, how do I go about repairing it?

If this is not the correct forum for this type of question, I apologize, and would be grateful for someone to let me know the proper forum.

Thanks in advance,

Dave

 

[Lone Duck]

Re: Fuel Gauge Stuck as Full

I'm new to this forum, as I just bought a 1994 20' Lowe Pontoon boat with a 50HP Evinrude, so I anticipate I will be posting several questions as I fix up the little glitches with her.

First task is the fuel gauge is stuck showing full. How do I diagnose (gauge vs. stuck float in the tank), and if the float in the tank is the culprit, how do I go about repairing it?

If this is not the correct forum for this type of question, I apologize, and would be grateful for someone to let me know the proper forum.

Thanks in advance,

Dave

check all wires make sure there are no cracks etc. Then make sure the fuel in tank is low , if it is then remove sender and make sure your grounds are connected . If so,turn on ignition and move float and check gauge. if gauge still on full get a new sender which comes with gasket & screws. But make sure all wires to sender and gauge have clean contacts have power, and are in good shape.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Fuel Gauge Stuck as Full

A simple test is to unhook the sender wire and see if it makes a gauge change. If I remember right when empty the sender will show resistance and as the resistance decreases the gauge swings to full. So when the sender is unhooked it should drop to empty unless the sender wire is grounded.

May help to locate the problem before you tare into the tank.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Fuel Gauge Stuck as Full

MH has it correct. Unhook the sender wire and turn the key to the ON position and the gauge should read empty. If you short the send terminal to ground and turn the key on, the gauge should read full. You can test the sending unit after removing it from the fuel tank with an Ohmmeter. Red lead on the sending unit center terminal, black to ground on sending unit. Should see something in the 30-240 Ohm range as you move the float arm. Reading should be smooth as you move it.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Fuel Gauge Stuck as Full

This diagnostic procedure covered in over 100 different posts in the ELECTRICAL section and includes diagrams. Use the SEARCH feature. There are even instructions in that section on how to use the SEARCH feature. And those instructions happen to include the fuel gauge as an example.