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64 1/2 gas gauge reads empty

  • Thread starter Thread starter tbr
  • Start date Start date Apr 13, 2019
T

tbr

Member
Oct 19, 2018
14
1
13
CO
Apr 13, 2019
#1
  • Apr 13, 2019
  • #1
My gas gauge reads empty with 5 gallons of gas. It is a new sending unit. All the wiring harnesses have been replaced in the car. I did an ohm sweep and the sending unit reads 10-70 ohms on the bench. I removed the new sending unit and it works outside of the tank. The gas gauge reads correctly in the different levels (empty, half, full) outside the tank. When I reinstall it in the tank, it reads empty and 63 ohms. I tried an additional ground to the sending unit while it was in the tank and there was no change. Thanks in advance for any suggestion! My friend's 66 Falcon has the same issue.
 

The Shemdogg

Active Member
Mar 15, 2016
137
23
38
san jose CA
Apr 13, 2019
#2
  • Apr 13, 2019
  • #2
You need to bend the arm that holds the float downwards as it would sit in the tank so the arm on the resistor sits higher. Its pretty common to have to adjust new sending units

shem
 
Reactions: 2Blue2
T

tbr

Member
Oct 19, 2018
14
1
13
CO
Apr 14, 2019
#3
  • Apr 14, 2019
  • #3
Hi Shem,
Thanks for the reply. But why does it read empty and 63 ohms? Full is around 10 ohms and empty is 70. After putting 5 gallons in wouldn't it read more than empty?
Sorry a little confused on this one.
Thanks!!!
 

The Shemdogg

Active Member
Mar 15, 2016
137
23
38
san jose CA
Apr 15, 2019
#4
  • Apr 15, 2019
  • #4
That might be a gauge issue or old wire causing no or lower ohms at the gauge. Maybe your gauge isnt that sensitive and the 63 ohms isnt enuf to make it move from empty. Does the gauge work if you move the float up and down by hand?

shem
 
T

tbr

Member
Oct 19, 2018
14
1
13
CO
Apr 15, 2019
#5
  • Apr 15, 2019
  • #5
Hi Shem,
I bent the float down 1-1/4" and it works!! the gauge reads just over 1/4 with 4.5 gallons. And it reads on the empty line with no gas.
thanks for all your help.
Glenn
 
Reactions: 2Blue2

The Shemdogg

Active Member
Mar 15, 2016
137
23
38
san jose CA
Apr 15, 2019
#6
  • Apr 15, 2019
  • #6
Well done!

shem
 

Joe Medeiros

Member
Nov 16, 2014
8
2
13
East providence RI
Apr 18, 2019
#7
  • Apr 18, 2019
  • #7
My gauge on my '65 coupe reacts the same way. It reads empty with about 5 gallons left. Everything checks out including having just installed a new sending unit. Thanks to Shem I now know how to address the problem. Thanks again.
 
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