Need some help on that Gas Guage

[mmarino]

1996 Starcraft Fishmaster. Most of the time it reads full, once in awhile it jumps around. Any ideas on where to begin? The tank, the gas guage itself, or both? Thanks for your help whoever comes through.

 

[tboltmike]

Re: Need some help on that Gas Guage

My gas gauge would read full if no power to the gauge. Irradic and spuratic movement indicates poor connections/ground or corroded/broken wire but still in the insulation.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Need some help on that Gas Guage

It is my understanding that if you disconnect the sending wire(+), ground it to the (-) wire, turn the key on, the needle should peg full and stay there. If it does, the gauge is fine. I have the same issue. My gauge appears to be fine. Mine jumps around more when I get down to about 1/2 a tank. Maybe it's just the gas sloshing around in the tank, for me anyway...

 

[stylesabu]

Re: Need some help on that Gas Guage

there are many a post on this in electricaL section.the senders take a beating on boats. key on, sender wire grounded, gauge should peg full

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Need some help on that Gas Guage

Sender is a moving part that is replaceable by a back yarder. They do wear out. You can remove it from the tank and check with an ohm meter. Go to the electrical forum and search fuel sender, there are lots of answers.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Need some help on that Gas Guage

Clean the connections on top of the sender and test it by touching the sender wire to ground...like already said the gauge should peg out on full.

If that test works then the gauge is ok and the sender is the most common cause.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Need some help on that Gas Guage

One question on the sending unit:
This is the unit I have.
http://www.iboats.com/Moeller-Conve...7231827--**********.066704577--view_id.391788

Slightly different connection. Maybe the plastic piece is a cover for the connections. Anyway, can a guy just replace the sight gauge(I call it a puck. I've had it off before) by taking out the 2 screws, or, does the whole unit that goes into the tank need to be replaced too? I see the site gauge doesn't connect to anything in the tank. Is there a magnet or something that senses the level of fuel by the postition of the float in the tank?

Sorry to hijack. Just needed 1(turned out to be 2, I lied) question(s) answered. Didn't feel the need to start a new thread on the same subject.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Need some help on that Gas Guage

You change the entire sending unit. It's very easy, instructions are in the package. There are some for deep tanks and others for flatter tanks.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Need some help on that Gas Guage

Thanks. Probably no different than changing the sending unit in my GTO's tank....

 

[mmarino]

Re: Need some help on that Gas Guage

Thanks, Guys. I'll follow up on the suggestions and definitely go to the electrical posts and read up. Gives me a great starting point. Much appreciated.

 

[cokeman22]

Re: Need some help on that Gas Guage

mine jumps around too. But every once and a while it shows the truth. Thats good enuf for me