Fuel gauge

[86bluecobra]

Ok so the fuel gauge seems to have given up the ghost. Was working when she went to bed last winter now it doesn't. I have a new fuel sender in the car. Was put in last spring. The car is a 86 mustang. the low fuel light is on. There is 1.5 volts between the two wires going to the gauge. What kinda volts am I supposed to be getting? Obviously there is power because the little low fuel light on the little computer in the center console. They feed off the same power i believe. Anyways does anyone know how to check these gauges?

 

[Vipersix]

I assume you are referring to the stock fuel gauge? If your sender is good and there are no breaks in the connection prior to the gauge itself, your gauge decided to kick the bucket. I'm not intimately familiar with the '88 but I would assume it is virtually impossible to check the gauge as it is in the later years.

 

[jrichker]

The red/yellow wire (power supply to gauge & sender) should have 12 volts when the ignition is in the start or Run position.

All resistance measurements should be made with the power off.

The yellow/white wire will show a voltage that varies with the movement of the float on the sender unit. To test the sender, set your Ohmmeter or DVM on low Ohms. Then disconnect the sender and connect the Ohmmeter or DVM to the yellow/white and black wires from the sender unit. Move the float arm while watching the Ohmmeter or DVM. You should see the reading change from 22 to 145 ohms +/- 10%.

Note from bstrd86 - 86 and older fuel tank sender units are 73 ohms empty, 8-12 ohms full.

If the Ohmmeter or DVM resistance readings are way off, replace the tank sender unit.

Use extreme caution if you do the next step. Fumes from the gas tank can easily ignite and cause a fire or explosion.
With the sender unit out of the tank and connected to the body wiring harness, turn the ignition switch to the Run position. Move the float arm and the fuel gauge indicator should move. If you are very careful, you can use a pair of safety pins inserted in the connector for the yellow/white and black wires to measure the voltage as you move the float arm. The voltage will change, but I have no specs for what it should be.
Do not short the safety pins together or to ground. If you do, you may damage the anti-slosh module or crate a spark. A spark with the fuel tank open could cause a fire or an explosion.

If the voltage does not change and the tanks sender passed the resistance tests, the anti-slosh module or gauge is bad.

 

[5.0Droptop]

sounds like the float is stuck to me.

 

[86bluecobra]

looks like it was a loose connection on the sender itself. Thx for the help peeps. I was checking for voltage at the sender with a pin and it starts working. so now I have to drop the tank and fix the connection it looks like.