I recently bought my first OBS ford and im not really a wiz when it comes to fixing them up, but i have a problem that not even the people around me seem to know. 3 out of 4 of my gauges dont work. i first noticed straight away that my fuel gauge doesnt work but also realized the temp and oil pressure dont work as well. the only working gauge other than the speedo is the battery gauge. i decided to dig into the dash to hopefully locate the problem but it only made me more confused. i ended up taking the gauge panels off and started messing around with the needles. i noticed that my 1 working gauge needle would shoot right back into place if it was moved at all. the other 3 did not do that. they just floated where ever that wanted to. im not sure if they are supposed to just float around or if they are supposed to snap back into place. when you turn the key the fuel gauge jumps all the way to the right passing the Full mark and it sits there until you turn the key off and it will slowly make it way back, but it wont go all the way to E. it just floats. the others dont move much. they jolt when the key is turned but they dont move after that. im not sure if im just stupid and maybe it is just my fuel gauge that doesnt work and im avoiding a new sending unit, but i figured i would ask people that know more than me what they think. i took my issues to reddit and got all kinds of stuff so maybe things will be a bit more centered here. if you do have any solutions or pointers, please link a youtube video so i can fully understand what it is. i love learning how to fix my truck but unfortunately i dont have a clue as to how to do it. thank yall!

 

NOTE: it is a 1987 ford f250 in case yall are wondering. i did notice when i was watching some youtube videos that a bronco from the same year basically is the same vehicle. so if you have a 1987 bronco and have this issue as well or did please let me know what it was or how to trouble shoot!

 

Your oil pressure sending unit and temperature sending unit have one wire going to each of them.
I would try cleaning the connections at the sending units first.
What engine is in your truck?
Temperature gauge not moving off of cold - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...f-of-cold.html

 

it’s a 5.8 351W

 

Turn key to on/not start. Remove single wire from water sensor on front/left corner of intake.

Firmly ground connector while key is on. Temp needle should swing fully to right.

Repeat with single wire from oil pressure sensor between filter & timing cover on left side of engine.

If needles swing full right, wiring between sensor & cluster is OK. Sensors may be bad or there is a build up of corrosion on sensor threads.

Excessive teflon tape will do same.

If needles don't move, there may be corrosion on connector to cluster or it is loose.

Fuel gauge inop can be missing/damaged float, corrosion on resistor sweep of sending unit, wiring or damaged/fouled connector.

You should be prepared to do continuity tests with a DVOM.

 

Do the post 5 test
That is what to do 1st
Your gauges are probably no good
The fuel gauge reads empty or full?
The floats fall off or get heavy on the senders
That signal goes through the tank selector switch
You can check the resistance of the sender at the cluster connector is what we did if we pulled the cluster out, otherwise you can check the ohms at the selector switch if you have dual tanks

 

the fuel gauge reads past full. and i went ahead and replaced the sending unit that my truck had. its supposed to have dual tanks but the other tank was taken off by the previous owner. the sending unit that the truck had was junk. it was very rusty and very corroded but after replacing it, it still reads the exact same. im no electrical genius so imma have to figure out how to test all the wires and stuff and make sure nothing is wrong with them.

 

Verify the resistance signal from the sending unit is making it through the tank selector switch