Sending Unit on a Chaparral 180SL?

[jclayto]

I am having a fuel gauge issue on my boat so I am looking to find my sending unit. I am sure that I am over looking something but I cannot find the sending unit on this boat. can anyone tell me where to look? It is a 1990 180SL with the 3.0L Merc I/O<br /><br />Also, I am a new chaparral owner and have not found much out about the model I purchased, is anyone familiar with it? Does it seem to be a good model? <br /><br />Thanks!

 

[chuck216]

Re: Sending Unit on a Chaparral 180SL?

I am also a new chaparral owner and I am having the same problem with the fuel gauge. I bought 2001 196 SSI with 5.0 merc I/O. Also anyone have problems with their JBL radio?

 

[jclayto]

Re: Sending Unit on a Chaparral 180SL?

my fuel gauge worked untill i replaced the factory tape deck with a cd player. The next time I took the boat out it did not work. I am assuming that is total coincidence though. I know if i can find the sending unit i can ground the wire out and see if the gauge moves, to help decide if its the gauge or unit. <br /><br />Hoepfully someone can help us out here! thanks everyone

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Sending Unit on a Chaparral 180SL?

I am not familiar with your model, Jon, but I'll give you generalities. First, find the fuel tank. Mine is under the floor, ahead of the engine. It has a special "hatch lid" that you turn hal revolution, and it lifts out. The pickup tube and sender are right there. You boat very easily could have the tank in one of the rear corners. I'd look on the top of the tank for it.<br />But first, look at the wiring under the dash. Chances are, you knocked that loose, or broke a wire there, when you changed the radio. best of luck

 

[jclayto]

Re: Sending Unit on a Chaparral 180SL?

thanks for the response.. i'm going crazy trying to locate this. on my old boat the tank was under the floor with a little screw off access panel to the sending unit.. I cant find anything at all like that in this boat. I even checked down in the ski locker etc. <br /><br />I did another double check of the dash area, no blown fuses or broken wires so I am assuming its in the gauge/unit. <br /><br />Thanks again for the help everyone

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Sending Unit on a Chaparral 180SL?

Well, you speak of the same access panel that I was talking about. If you don't have one of those, your tank isn't under the floor. Look behind one of your rear "jump" seats. Especially if your fuel fill is at the back of the boat. You're gonna have an 18 to 25 gallon tank in one of the rear corners. I'll guess the port rear corner. Be warned, if it's back there, it may have been installed before the top deck was attached to the hull, so working on it may be a pain!