Fuel gauge reads 1/2 all the time w/key on.

[muskie hunter]

Even after draining most of the old fuel it still says 1/2. I completely filled the tank (80 gallons) turn the key on and it jumps right to half. The sending unit has 2 wires going to it.
Can someone tell me the proper way to diagnose the problem as.. Wireing, gauge or sending unit? The boat is a 1996 Wellcraft excel 26 SE 7.4 Bravo II. If it is the sending unit does anyone know where I would come up with a part # or place to get the sending unit?

Thanks Steve.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Fuel gauge reads 1/2 all the time w/key on.

It may be froze. You will have to pull it to check. http://www.iboats.com/Sending_Units....238171--view_id.238171--search_type.category

 

[crb478]

Re: Fuel gauge reads 1/2 all the time w/key on.

Pull the wires off and it should go to empty, you can then jumper your two terminals at the gauge if it then reads full the gauge is fine Then it is either the sending unit or the fuel arm is stuck in the tank at the 1/2 full mark.

 

[craig stevens]

Re: Fuel gauge reads 1/2 all the time w/key on.

had the same problem in my fiberform, the float arm was bent. replaced the sending unit, now it works fine. first remove your ground wire if the gauge does not move its probably your gauge, if it does its your sending unit

 

[thrasher]

Re: Fuel gauge reads 1/2 all the time w/key on.

As others have said, find the sender unit and disconnect the two wires, with the ignition on the gauge should show empty. Then connect the two wires that aren't connected to the sender (ie the wire from the gauge and the negative wire) together and the gauge should show full. If the gauge only shows half full then you either have a wiring problem or a problem with the gauge. If the gauge does read full, then the problem is a stuck float or a bad sender unit.

Gary