fuel gauge dosnt work

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 6, 2007 | 01:28 PM

nate_m

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 50

Likes: 0

From: south jersey

fuel gauge dosnt work

1979 f250, one rear tank. should i just drop the tank, and check the sending unit? if so, how would i check it to see if it works? are there any common problems that cause the fuel gauge to stop working that i might check first?

thanks guys,
-Nate

Jun 6, 2007 | 01:55 PM

Jermafenser

Postmaster

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 4,956

Likes: 10

From: MD

No, you don't have to drop the tank. That's the last thing to do.

First pull the sending unit connector from the rear gas tank. Make sure the ignition is OFF. Insert a wire or paper clip on both terminals on the sending unit connector. This will short the sending unit wires out. Then turn on the ignition. If the gauge pegs to full when shorted out, you have good wiring & ground and your sending unit is kaput.

If it does not peg to full when shorted out, look for bad ground or wiring. Bad ground is the common cause. Find the fault and repair. Repeat the short-out instructed above. If it pegs to full, reinstall the sending unit connector. Test again. If it reads the level, you're good to go. If not, then the sending unit is no good.