Fuel Gauge & Sending Unit Troubleshooting

This video will help you troubleshoot your fuel gauge and sending unit, to verify if it is good or needs to be replaced.

[@hanscloss4063]

thanks! , finally someone explained it clearly speaking at the right rate without mouth full of pasta

[@air_cooled_andy]

😂

[@cloubydoo]

Very helpful today as I was troubleshooting my boat sending unit. Thank you!

[@christopherworkman5470]

In my 1986 F-250 I have the instrument cluster took off. Following all instructions, I used an analog multi meter I just bought yesterday. My sending unit wire on the wiring harness inside the cab reads 100 OHMs(it read 10 on the scale, but you're supposed to multiply it by 10 in the "X10" setting), BUT the sending unit is supposed to read between 73(empty) & 10(full) OHMs. The tank is about 1/8 full.

[@stevesmith-ny8jb]

Thank you so much for the simple instructions. My Peterbilt has been wigging out and I've been trying to figure it out. Now I have a much better understanding of the situation. 👍🏻

[@henrytupper6959]

This is very good info for a gauge not working. Mine is responding but not accurate. I ran out of gas at 1/3 full. After filling it goes past full. 1967 g 10 van. Thanks Henry

[@josuemundo5253]

Thank you very much for the explanation now I understand how that system works

[@ralphrich5188]

Best of vids on this subject. Thanks

[@CausticSociety]

Informative video , thanks for posting.

[@awdhootkanawade]

Thank you for the video , i was confused about how to check if gauges are bad or the wiring

[@MrAakash407]

Thanks for sharing this useful information it helped a lot in diagnosing fuel gauge.

[@douglasbattjes3991]

What a great video,,about time someone who can speak clearly and does a wonderful demonstration, 12 stars , One Q,, 6 V willys pickups , this work with all gauges, like Oil, heat, also, they would reg. 0 if disconnected and hot if grounded, and same with oil. Thanks again,,,

[@jimmyrice598]

Great explanation of fuel gauge

[@marklohmeier3458]

Thank you for this concise explanation. Very useful and time saving information

[@keycontrol7077]

Very helpful for future .

[@boydjoiner4652]

I looked through the listed videos, have you created one to test for GM Temperature Gauges? I have bought several of the American Autowire harnesses and am pleased with the quality, thank you!

[@daves.9479]

After my parked '86 Toyota 2WD truck was bashed in the rear by a car, the gas gauge reads, w/ a full tank, HALF full, and then drops normally from there as gas is used, reaching the empty mark when the tank is half full. The "empty" warning light comes on only when the tank is actually near empty, so it is working as it should. Could this be a problem with the sending unit? Or is it more likely to be a float problem?

[@williamcrazylacyfurmage9953]

My 67 Chevy II Nova reads just under 1/2 tank all the time after I put LED Lights in the cluster. I ran out of gas today and had to call AAA to bring me gas :( If I unplug the L shape connecter in back of cluster, it still read just under 1/2??

[@williamcrazylacyfurmage9953]

Also On my 1971 pinto, I put a 1973 unit in the tank. it read 3/4 of gas when It only has a gal in there. when I put in like 5 gals , it pegs the hell out of it ?

[@robert574]

I don't know if you're still reading posts but I have a 2003 BX22 with a similar problem except my fuel sending unit is under one of the ROPS connections on the (driver's ha) side. My fenders are metal and all the sheet metal comes out in 4 pieces. I removed the fuel tank and my sending unit was frozen and looked crudded up and rusted like yours. The old sending unit frame was all steel including the pivot for the arm which was rusted solid. The new one has some brass pieces in the pivot and may last a little longer. How has your replacement held up? is the gauge still working?

[@zaino660]

Nice explanation....

[@MrTarkus007]

really well explained great

[@storman7609]

Show my video TEST : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHyrhoilpJZriq8

[@johnengland8619]

Thanks for the content

[@vernonsteinkamp1088]

I have a hunch that the float on my sending unit has a pin hole and has been filed with gas. My gauge reads just above empty. When the key is turned on, the gauge moves from just below empty to just above empty. I know my gas tank is at least 3/4 full. It is a major job to pull the sending unit because it requires dropping the tank , and that requires dropping the rear differential/axle, which includes u bolts and shocks. The car is a 1956 Chevy Sedan Delivery.

[@paulwicks254]

Ok thanks for the video could you help explain this for a 2555 john deer agricultural tractor? Always reads full

[@alexhenry5594]

my truck is doing this it stays on full but after awhile of driving for a bit so do you think it has a break in the wire

[@douglasbattjes3991]

Have a few old Willys ,,,,how do I check the fuel gauge and others if the gauge is out of the vehicle,, or do I need a sending unit to check it, 6 V system

[@brimendis]

Could it be a problem with the sending unit wire or sending unit is when full the gauge reads full, but then goes to empty and stays at empty after 5 mins of driving?

[@cornelliousbigshipzhawu6669]

Very eloquent thnk yu

[@stever4181]

I have a 1937 Plymouth that has been converted to !2VDC. Can I run 12 volts on my 6 volt sending unit and gauge?

[@SunnyDaysRFun]

If you detect that you have power to the sending unit, and you disconnect the wire at the sending unit and your gauge is non affected, doesn't that mean you have a bad gauge? Isn't the gauge responsible for sending power to the sending unit?

[@mikemaxey5779]

what would cause a sending unit to read at the full position and the empty position. any other position reads as empty. the fuel gauge is brand new and tested to work.

[@johnhawkins4819]

How do I down load a w ireing diagram in colours for Yamaha xt125x 2008 ed

[@theoldshooter9011]

I've got a 2019 Crest 220SLC pontoon boat. I will fill the gas tank up and the guage will read full as suppose to do. However, after 4 hours of running the motor it will still show full having not moved at all. If I loosen the gas cap for a minute, put it back on, then the needle will move but still not read very accurately in my book. Is it a guage problem or some kind of venting problem????

[@MrBoogty]

Great info

[@GulabKhan-tp3qy]

Very nice

[@drizzle008]

What if the gauge seems to work but not very accurate, meaning that at one point shows half tank and at one go goes down by a noticeable bit? Thanks.

[@ikl2097]

You found a solution to this? Im thinking it the cluster

[@paullemon27]

What would cause the gauge to read opposite? Empty reads full and full reads empty?

[@douglasbattjes3991]

Is the sender wire the positive wire? These are 6 volts systems,,,thanks

[@NoName-tm2yq]

Where do you get specs on what the sending unit should be on a 1986 Toyota truck with an OEM replacement sending unit?

[@tomference4618]

..I measured the resistance of the sending unit and it seems to correspond to what is in the tank. I used two different meters and got the same reading. I pulled the sensor wire off the gauge and applied power to it,..the needle did not go to full. Is the new gauge faulty?

[@heesanoice7637]

Thanks !!!

[@ploxplox1109]

Ok I need help my 1990 Mazda b2600i is stuck on empty so what is exactly I should please help really trying to fix my truck me and my dad we’re messing with the wires and switched them and it would read full but switch them back and it would read empty so what should I do please help ??!

[@RGDancinMachine]

What if you have new sending unit in the tank and your gage on the dash is not taking it all the way to full when the tank is full?

[@Kiran-nb5xi]

Is it possible to make video to explain sending and receiving end both meter working principle with drawing

[@neilwinger9430]

Thanks

[@Cat_eye03]

Can someone help me out please. I have a 1980 corvette and I’m having trouble getting accurate reading. When I have full tank my gauge only goes up to 1/4 I thought it could’ve been the sending unit so I bought a new one and I’m still having the same problem. When I unplug the signal wire from the sending unit the gauge goes automatically to full tank and if I ground the signal wire the gauge goes to empty. I tried unplugging the ground wire and nothing changes on the gauge. I also tried jumping a ground wire straight from the battery to the ground of the sending unit and no changes. At this point I feel like I have a problem with the ground not making good contact behind the gauge but I don’t want to disassemble my dash if I don’t have to. Thanks for any help

[@bouldernelsonbigfoot]

Awesome .

[@JustPete65]

If the gauge is unplugged does it reads full or empty?

[@rudyjavurek2817]

Recently purchased a 76 CJ-5 with none working gage seller installed LED gage also none working. Will be troubled shooting sending unit and gage with limited electrical trouble shooting skills because keeping track with pencil and paper is annoying

[@billwilliams6338]

AMERICAN AUTOWIRE \\ I disconnected the Temperature sending unit/temp sense, so How can I test the instrumentation temp gauge in my cars dash board by itself to check if its working correctly, what do I need to do?

[@inderpreetsingh7448]

I have Cascadia freighter 2013 Model. It has no 12V at the fuel gauge where we basically plug in at fuel sensor. It has only 5V . I checked there is no fuse for that. Please help me to solve this issue.

[@ardmallor]

I have a slightly different problem than this video shows. My fuel gauge seems to work fine however it is waay off in my old 72 Firebird. When I fill it up the gauge goes way past full, when its close to empty its between a 1/4 and 1/2 tank. Would this just be a faulty gauge?

[@jon964]

When I turn the key, the fuel gauge shows full, when I turn the ignition off, it shows empty. Tested sensor with measuring instrument it has the correct Ohm value. It is both a wema and a wema instrument. Has worked before and also not replaced anything previously. When I disconnect the sensor's 2 cables it still shows full. what do you think is wrong then?

[@BOC4ALL]

What if you don't know what the reading should be? I have a 1970 Chevelle and the gas gauge usually reads 1/4 tank no matter how much gas you have. So it's either the gauge or sending unit.

[@nopenottanoway]

Did you find out how to fix it? I have a 1985 motorhome with the same issue.

[@markk3652]

Fill the tank completely with water, then you'll know it's full.

[@supercrusher99]

when i connect the wires to my gauge it blows my fuse. I do have 12 volts to the gauge with the car running

[@sylvial6845]

I am having issues with my the gauge that reads dte and the actual needle. I have not been getting an accurate reading. My car is a 2015 and the dealership has changed the sensor, but this is the second time I have taken it in and they claim that it is not misreading. Last weekend when I filled it up, drove and looked at the gauge it read 3/4 of a tank which was accurate. The next time I drove my car it read full tank and both gauges had "reset" to full, then after driving back to 3/4. I have had these issues for two weeks and they claim that it is not duplicating the issue. I am so frustrated as to what it could be. No code has come up.

[@moza260]

what if its show empty in the fuel meter when i remove the fuel sender connector, but its always show full when i reconnected the fuel sending unit to the connector socket?

[@Tightwad64]

? I am Familiar with how the gas gauge works great video I have a ? I have put Several sending units in this one has me Puzzled it’s past fuel but when you turn on the key on it works if I add gas it goes the way it should as I drive and use gas it goes towards empty Which is right any help would be appreciate Tks

[@alvin2894]

If the sending unit is faulty, is there any way to fix it? Or replacement is the only answer?

[@tdmfan750]

Can someone give a link to the sending unit pictured at the very start of the video? Looks like the one I need for my Simplicity Sunstar Model # 1691018. Nobody makes the OEM one anymore, and I'm looking for a replacement one.

[@storman7609]

Show my video TEST : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHyrhoilpJZriq8

[@68air]

Okay but how about a bad gauge resistor?

[@rogielao3944]

Hi..Sir how about my issue was I already disconnected the wires from the the fuel tank going to the fuel gauge and when I turn the key On the fuel gauge needle move to Full,how it is possible?

[@frankdavidson9675]

look into reed switch fool proof 33-240 ohms USA standard start at about 35.00 depending on length ( depth of tank)

[@EdzPl]

Does the ground on the sending unit have to be attached to the ground on the gauge?

[@jasonvargas4611]

Was wondering the same? Ever get an answer?

[@fordinlinestraight]

So theres no voltage to test?

[@deanconaway4501]

My fuel guage is not steady the needle bouces around when not full, 2013 Tri Glide

[@wolfenstein1040]

Sir..Do I need to connect the wire to a power or battery when troubleshooting that with Multimeter?

[@wiicchooo]

wolfenstein1040 not when testing for resistance. If you are testing for voltage yes

[@williamyobbagy6356]

Hi you seem like you understand this pretty well these units come with a backlight and I hooked the red to the positive on the gauge and the ground to the Neg. thinking that would work. now my gauge quit working Did I short out the fuel gauge by doing this and not hooking up the back light separately ?

[@saadyousuf9562]

Cultus 2002 ka fuel guage kahan milega

[@c.electricalsupport2751]

good

[@siamteahrahsel4665]

My car maruti 800 increase a fuel meter when turn off

[@DixonJohn]

Hello. I did follow all your method (outside the fuel tank) and I found no faulty with my sensor. But once I put it back on the tank, I start my car, and the gauge goes to Empty. Why is that? Sorry for the language, i am not an English native speaker

[@danielreijer607]

My 04 Silhouette’s gauge turns all around when you turn the van on like a clock second needle and stops right underneath empty Is that the cluster issue or the sending unit?

[@thetreyrich1]

working on a '65 ford and it seems to be backwards from this video. Jumping the sender post on the gauge to ground causes the gauge to jump to full not empty. Can anyone confirm that older cars/fords are like this?

[@michaelq7738]

Maybe a positive earth vehicle. Some very old vehicles were

[@modeljetjuggernaut4864]

my buick lesabre is the same way. disconnecting the sending unit wire from the truck and grounding it to the trunk latch catch makes the gauge read empty. A bad or open ground makes it read full.

[@ResponsiveWeb24]

My scooter is same on full tank sending unit reads 33ohm on empty tank it reads 300ohm this video say's backwards.

[@GoldensRule45]

My 1966 ford tbird is that way as well and I cannot get the ohms to change on the sender from over filled to minus 15 gallons pumped out the ohms read 45.8 to 46.3 hardly any change and is a new sender tried shacking car no difference must be a bad sender

[@paulreitz1095]

Many European vehicles have VDO gauges/senders that work exactly opposite this description. Suggest you add a caveat up-front about that.

[@joshuagerlitzki1092]

Tell me this fuel gauge experts.......I have a 1987 chevy van I pulled the tbi computer out, all gauges working except fuel!! So know all of this knowledge of grounding the the fucking gauge wire and it going from full to empty, I've done this on my 68 chevelle actually this wire will read 8 volts, this through me off when I was in my van trying to find the sending wire to the fuel gauge without pulling the gauge cluster apart and tracking the wire. When I tested my chevelle and had the sending from the fuel gauge read 8 volts and I knew there was a wire in the van that read the same volts, I felt confident that if I hooked that wire to ground the gauge would go to empty....and sure enough it did! But now the gauge won't go back to full when it's not grounded........so my question is this did I just have fluke and the gauge just blew itself?

[@moza260]

my fuel meter show full when its connected to the fuel sender unit, when i remove the fuel sender unit connector its shows empty in the fuel meter, which one at faulty in my case? anyone can help?🤔

[@bluedog373]

Never said how to check the gauge itsself. I have done all those things. No matter what I do the gauge maxes out. Doesn't matter if sender post is connectrd or not

[@camleenc]

Appears there is no use asking a question on this video as they are not answering anyon's question

[@mdrafiqul3358]

😀😀😀

[@neilwinger9430]

How to fix broken wire n gas tank? What do u use bc it will be n gas?

[@storman7609]

Show my video TEST : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHyrhoilpJZriq8

[@thewedge8823]

So if my gauge always show empty, does that mean that my Fuel sending Unit is bad?

[@STROKER.69]

Im having this same issue on my 03 carburated dyna

[@billgibson7130]

Y

[@stevethomas7463]

?

[@vernonsteinkamp1088]

Don't bother asking any questions. This guy will not answer you.

[@fishin11]

Fuel sender wire SHOULD BE PINK, not brown. They have been that way for years, get up to date!!! Don’t confuse people!! Black is ground, (but some manufacturers are changing black to yellow for ground). AT THE GAUGE, it should be purple for ‘keyed power’ to turn gauge on, and blue wire for lights to gauge. I’m sorry but if you don’t bring people up to date they can/could have problems, and with the fuel system it could be fire. One time a customer brought boat to me, customer couldn’t get gauge to work even after replacing sender and gauge. He had POWER, 12 volts going to sender. He thought 12 volts to sender then black will complete the circuit. Asked where he got info to do this, he said a KZbin mechanic. Some day someone will get hurt then these KZbin know it alls will get sued.

[@armandopena9080]

P

[@josemelara7101]

To many questions 0 answer. And all those who like this video o Say is useful can tell me how many of you already tried to do it just like that?

[@markfeuerherdt2338]

So my fuel gauge on my 1980 CJ5 Renegade reads before E when off to only on E after I start her. I never really had a full tank. Tank is poly 15 gallon. My temp gauge works great. Sending unit is pretty new, but I did not check the calibration when I dropped it into tank. I will drain and drop tank, check my grounds and check sending unit. Anything you can tell me why gauge is acting like that? Thanks. I am sure it is something simple. I do have another gauge from MTS as that is where I got my poly tank. Ohms reading says it is 73 - 80 empty, and 8 - 10 full. Thanks.

[@markfeuerherdt2338]

Also can you explain at 1:00 on the video about sending unit touching ground. Is that the grounding wire from the sending unit to the frame?

[@ROVITTv]

Thanks