1965 gas gauge

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Mar 9, 2006 | 07:36 PM

ozzie65

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1965 gas gauge

I've got a 65 4x4 and have replaced all the wiring with a universal Painless Wiring Kit, but can't figure out the stock gas gauge. All other gauges are non stock replacements and work ok. I put in a new sending unit and ran the power from the cpnstant voltage unit to the gauge. When I hit the key, the gauge shoots over to full (got a half tank), acting similar to the firt gauge I burned up.
Am I getting too much power ? Appreciate any ideas, it's the last thing keeping me in the garage and off the street.

Mar 9, 2006 | 09:03 PM

seetwisted

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From: las vegas nv.

The gas gauge has an amperage range of so many amps from empty to full.Could the sending unit be wrong?Wires crossed on the gauge? Have you had the unit out of the tank? The reostat on the sender can start coming apart from wear and stick.And the sending unit is basicly a varible ground...the ground to the sending unit has to be good also.Have an amp meter to amp out every thing? A cheap meter from the local parts house can help find a lot of "ghosts".

Mar 9, 2006 | 10:16 PM

ozzie65

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I followed the wiring diagram for the gauge, but will recheck. The sender is new and I ran a good ground from the tank to the frame. Sounds like the meter is the next step.

Mar 10, 2006 | 07:10 AM

brider

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From: Orange, CT

The common test of a gas guage is to ground the power lead and see if the gauge pegs to the max (gauge is good, in that case). Sounds like your gauge is grounding as soon as you supply power to it.

Mar 10, 2006 | 01:14 PM

drof46

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Joined: Nov 2005

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From: Benton, AR

I bought a new temperature sending unit for my engine and the guage didn't work. Put in a replacement temp guage and it pegged out in a second and a half. I know a cold engine won't peg out a guage, so I pulled the voltage regulator thingy on the back of the guage panel and replaced it. Worked like a charm. The problem I think your having is similar. The voltage regulator seems to work like a blinker. It does not provided constant power, rather it provids an on then off type power. I noticed this when using my tester. It was constant before I replaced the regulator then with the new working one it flashes and the guages work properly. I would guess that you will need to run the power through the regulator if your not going to use new guages. Just my .02 cents.

Mar 10, 2006 | 08:10 PM

seetwisted

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From: las vegas nv.

Regulater pulse? now I want to put an amp meter on mine and see!

Mar 11, 2006 | 01:10 PM

big-boss

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From: Exeter, CA

If you put in a new gauge, chances are you got the wrong one. There is a specific Ford one. To match to your Ford gauge you need a Ford sender. I found this out while going to a non Ford new gauge I had from another project. I had to change the sender to match- would have been cheaper to throught th guage out and get right one. Good Luck.