Gas Tank Sending Unit

[CKOT]

I finally got around to replacing the gas tank on my GT. When installing it I replaced the sending unit with a new one from SI. Prior to this install, the highest I could get the gas gauge to read was between 1/2 and 1/4. I suspected the old float was saturated, and upon deinstall it was(and full of crud as well)not allowing it to float fully. With the new tank/sending unit in place I cannot get the gas gauge to read anything. This install of the sending unit seemed pretty starightforward to me. I have visually checked the wiring and connectors, but nothing seems to jump out at me. before I start checking for resistance/grounding, etc. any quick ideas of what I might be missing?

[r1lark]

quote:Originally posted by CKOT

I finally got around to replacing the gas tank on my GT. When installing it I replaced the sending unit with a new one from SI. Prior to this install, the highest I could get the gas gauge to read was between 1/2 and 1/4. I suspected the old float was saturated, and upon deinstall it was(and full of crud as well)not allowing it to float fully. With the new tank/sending unit in place I cannot get the gas gauge to read anything. This install of the sending unit seemed pretty starightforward to me. I have visually checked the wiring and connectors, but nothing seems to jump out at me. before I start checking for resistance/grounding, etc. any quick ideas of what I might be missing?

The sender must have a good ground. I have gone so far as to add a ground wire from one of the sender attachment screws to a good place on the frame. Make sure the connection points are clean, and I use some electrical corrosion inhibitor on the ground wire connections too.

Paul
Winston-Salem NC

[wagone]

And you might have a bad sending unit. Remember................they only come with a 30 day guarantee. As do all other parts from SI. Now how long is that? Oh, about 720 hours. And if you live in the part of the country I do and buy the gauge in late February and install it on March 1st the guarantee is up before spring arrives and you get to try it out.

wagone

[glen]

Or you have hit the "Murphy's Law in regards to Studebaker's"
If you put in a new sending unit and/or new gas guage....it
just may not work as good as the orignal when it was new."
Been there.....done that....

glen Brose - Perkinsville, AZ

[CKOT]

when I completed the project, that is exactly what I was thinking....took me three years to get around to getting time to do it all (I also detailed the frame, new shocks, new brake lines, replaced differential fluid, etc.) while under there. More time to tinker I guess. My bet is ground at this point...we'll see.....does the tank to frame connection part of the grounding process for this? Just curious as the new tank got a liberl coat of pain, and so did the frame area where all around it.

[r1lark]

quote:Originally posted by CKOT

when I completed the project, that is exactly what I was thinking....took me three years to get around to getting time to do it all (I also detailed the frame, new shocks, new brake lines, replaced differential fluid, etc.) while under there. More time to tinker I guess. My bet is ground at this point...we'll see.....does the tank to frame connection part of the grounding process for this? Just curious as the new tank got a liberl coat of pain, and so did the frame area where all around it.

Yes, the tank grounds through the tank mounting brackets to the frame, so liberal painting will impact the ability of the tank to ground to the frame.

Been there, done that!<G> I have a habit of painting small parts prior to reassembly into bigger units. Usually this does not give me trouble, but on things that have to have good grounds, it can be a hassle. One place that I am very careful nowdays is on the engine and starter - pretty paint on the starter nose and on the engine plate will cause grounding problems with the starter! Don't ask how I figured this out.........

Paul
Winston-Salem, NC

[CKOT]

Bad ground. All that new paint was the culprit. Ran a seperate ground to the unit, works like a charm. Tested it out of the tank. Just as an FYI, when I put it back in the tank for assembly I could not get it to read again. I had about 3/8 tank of gas. After scratching my head a bit, I figured out that the new sending unit arm was not bent down far enough. After a bit of tinkering I got it "calibrated" (read bent the arm to the right position) and working well now. Can't wait to actually put it into use and drive with a totally functioning gas gauge.