Fuel Gauge reads correctly until engine is started

[Brad_Ct]

1994 Baja Blast: I have done a search and don't see anything that covers this issue. If I turn the key to the run position the fuel gauge reads correctly (1/2 tank) but when the engine is started the guage starts to bounce. The higher the RPM the wider the bounce is. This is with the boat on the trailer as well as in the water.

 

[Grub54891]

Re: Fuel Gauge reads correctly until engine is started

Bad wire connection someplace? Bounce as in " jumps" quickly or smooth. Could be a faulty sender or no baffled in the tank to stop it from sloshing around.

 

[Brad_Ct]

Re: Fuel Gauge reads correctly until engine is started

I have checked all the wire connections. It bounces from 1/4 to 3/4 at a idle and the speed of the bounce increases with engine RPM. The boat is not moving when this occurs the fuel is not sloshing around.

 

[glenn property of pam]

Re: Fuel Gauge reads correctly until engine is started

check all the ground wires at the gauges also check the one at the fuel tank that goes from the sender plate to a ground point. Check with a meter or a jumper wire from the negative of the battery (bad grounds allow other gauges to try finding a ground and as the fuel gauge uses a ground on the sensor it will try to use that). If thats not the problem then you will need a meter to test each part.

 

[Brad_Ct]

Re: Fuel Gauge reads correctly until engine is started

I went out the garage yesterday and found that the bilge pump would not work and the blower ran intermitantly. Started checking with a volt meter and found there was power to the pump but no ground. I traced the main gound wire from the engine to the volt meter, from there it went to the fuel gauge, horn ect.. Not sure why they did not run the main ground to a terminal block and then to the devices but it is what it is. I disconnected all the ground wires cut them back and replaced all the ring connectors. The pump and blower now work correctly but I will not know about the fuel gauge until I get in into the water.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Fuel Gauge reads correctly until engine is started

You would almost think that the tachometer lead is shorted to the fuel gauge :noidea: