Fuel Sender Question

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Oct 28, 2002 | 08:51 PM

redeye rye

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Joined: Oct 2002

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From: Indiana

Fuel Sender Question

I had to splice the wires to my fuel sender on my 78 f250. Now my guage doesn't read right at all. Could my problem be that I used slightly heavier guage wire on part of the run? Thanks.
Also, who makes the best aftermarket sender?

Oct 29, 2002 | 11:04 PM

Mike W

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Joined: Apr 2002

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From: Central Kali

Fuel Sender Question

The wire size would not affect the reading. You could pull out the sender and check it with an ohmeter. May just be dirty. If you go to an aftermarket sender, be sure it will work with your stock gauge.

Oct 31, 2002 | 07:06 PM

redeye rye

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From: Indiana

Fuel Sender Question

Thanks for the info. What would I clean it with? Is there anything I could pour in the tank? If not, that's ok. I would be willing to drop the tank for an accurate guage.

Nov 1, 2002 | 01:41 PM

Mil1ion

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Fuel Sender Question

If you check (search) for Fuel gauge related threads on this,73-79 & 80-86 forums you will find a test procedure for the system.

You may buy a quality S/U from motorhaven.autoanything.com

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Nov 2, 2002 | 01:47 AM

Polkat

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Joined: Aug 2002

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From: CA

Fuel Sender Question

If your sender has two spade connectors for attaching the wires, and you got them backwards when you spliced them, then you're gauge will read wrong (probably show empty or full all the time). One spade simply goes to ground while the other goes to a fine length of silver wire wrapped around a piece of phenolic, which acts as a variable resistor. If you mix the wires, this resistor gets grounded out. The float arm moves a brush (usually a brass or gold plated rivet) against the wire wrap, and is essentially self cleaning from the friction, but they can wear out. There's a place in California called Transfer Flow, Inc. that makes good senders and can repair older ones as well.

Nov 4, 2002 | 07:35 PM

redeye rye

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From: Indiana

Fuel Sender Question

Grounded out as in "Ruined"? or just backwards? I didn't mention that the truck just sat under a tree for over two years. The p.o. said allthe guages worked fine when he parked it. None of them worked when I got it. This is the last one to fix. Also the tank has been drained and cleaned, and the strainer replaced, but it didn't occur to me to clean the sender. Shucks.