Fuel gauge won’t go below 1/2 full

[Dannich]

I am having issues finding the problem with my fuel gauge.
The gauge will not go below 1/2 full. It will go to full and travel to 1/2 but not below.
I have put in a new sending unit and new gauge but still shows no less than 1/2. I am moving the sending unit by hand to see travel. I have confirmed him reading on The new sending unit and is from 33 to 240. Ohms.
has anyone seen this??
what is the voltage range I should be seeing at the gauge as the sending unit is moved?
please let me know your thoughts.

 

[dingbat]

I have confirmed him reading on The new sending unit and is from 33 to 240. Ohms

Hopefully you confirmed with a voltmeter.

If so, are you seeing 33-240 at the gauge as well?

Guessing a bad ground, connection or wire

 

[alldodge]

You can manually move the sender full up to full down and the gauge moves full scale, correct?

If correct
Measure the depth of the tank. Then see if the sender full up to full down is the same distance

Also is the new sender the same design as the old?

 

[Dannich]

I am using a multimeter. Where on the gauge do you measure the resistance?
also I have the sender out if the tank so I sm moving by hand and no it only goes to 1/2 even when in the empty position out if the tank

 

[alldodge]

Where on the gauge do you measure the resistance?

Place meter across the 2 terminals (Sense and ground)

I have the sender out if the tank so I sm moving by hand and no it only goes to 1/2 even when in the empty position out if the tank

No need to test sender, its the gauge that is hanging. Need a new gauge

 

[Dannich]

I have both new sender and gauge
still shows no less than 1/2 tank

 

[GA_Boater]

Is the sender the same type as the original? Is the arm the same length as the original?

 

[alldodge]

I have both new sender and gauge
still shows no less than 1/2 tank

OK measure the sender, should be 240 empty and 33 full

 

[Dannich]

They are 33 and 240

 

[Dannich]

Both sender and gauge are brand new from the box. But still same issue as with old sender and gauge

 

[alldodge]

They are 33 and 240

I'm old and slow, but are your sure its 240 empty and 33 full, and maybe not the other way around like in the European type, 33 full and 240 full?

 

[dingbat]

They are 33 and 240

You getting 33 and 240 at the meter as well? Suspect not

 

[Dannich]

And if not at the gauge what causes that?

 

[dingbat]

And if not at the gauge what causes that?

Bad wire and corroded or loose connections

 

[tpenfield]

Look at the bright side . . . at least you will never run out of gas

 

[Grub54891]

And if not at the gauge what causes that?

As stated, bad wire or connections. Fasten a new wire to the old, pull it through, if you can't you will have to fish it through. Make sure the ground is perfect also.

 

[alldodge]

And if not at the gauge what causes that?

Is the sender the same as the first?
Is it a float arm or tube type?

If float arm, does the arm when full down no lower then the depth of the tank?
If float arm was the arm positioned in the same direction as the old?

 

[Dannich]

Old sender not made anymore but it was a 240 ohm
new us a modeler 33 to 240 ohm gauge is new also.
i will wire up with new wire and see what I get.
new sender is out of tank do arm length does not come in to play as I am moving up and down from full to empty by hand to see movement on gauge

 

[GA_Boater]

Look at the bright side . . . at least you will never run out of gas

Or...............................................He really has half a tank. :smile:

 

[GA_Boater]

Old sender not made anymore but it was a 240 ohm
new us a modeler 33 to 240 ohm gauge is new also.
i will wire up with new wire and see what I get.
new sender is out of tank do arm length does not come in to play as I am moving up and down from full to empty by hand to see movement on gauge

You keep saying you see movement on the gauge. A wiggle, partial or full movement?