• Welcome to For E Bodies Only !

    We are a community of Plymouth Cuda and Dodge Challenger owners. Join now! Its Free!

fuel gauge ground issue

RJH

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
67
Reaction score
11
I have a 70 non rallye fuel gauge that did not appear to be working. I removed it from the cluster and it works if i ground the body of the gauge. My question is , Is one of the studs on the back of the gauge is not a ground stud. Also my gauge with 4 volts supplied the the one stud only reads 3/4 full . Is there a easy way to calibrate the gauge itself. Thanks
 

Adam

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
1,647
Reaction score
698
Location
Washington
There is a short piece of rubber hose where the fuel line connects to the gas tank, there is supposed to be a jumper strip bridging that rubber hose. See if that is in place...
 

Steve340

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 19, 2016
Messages
907
Reaction score
338
Location
New Zealand
I believe the gauge itself has no calibration. What voltage are you getting from the cluster regulator?
 

Mopars & Missiles

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 1, 2012
Messages
234
Reaction score
104
There is a short piece of rubber hose where the fuel line connects to the gas tank, there is supposed to be a jumper strip bridging that rubber hose. See if that is in place...

Here's what Adam is talking about.......it's called a "ground strap".

Ground Strap.jpg
 

RJH

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
67
Reaction score
11
Thanks guys.I know about the grounding strap on the tank . I was bench testing the gas gauge. it was removed from the cluster. I found a broken wire on the bi-metal strip. Also the power into the gauge was grounding out to the housing . What a shame as it was a very clean unit. I had another gauge and combined the two into one unit. This unit will only read three quarters of tank with 4.5 volts.It should read full. As a millwright I know every thing mechanical must be able to be calibrated. Here is a couple of pictures . The arms with cut teeth at the ends and accessible through the little holes on the back of the cover is where I think you calibrate the gauge. I will attempt this, in the morning and let you know how I made out. thanks for all your help
DSCN1869.JPG
DSCN1870.JPG
 

cudamark

Member
Joined
Dec 12, 2009
Messages
10
Reaction score
0
Thanks guys.I know about the grounding strap on the tank . I was bench testing the gas gauge. it was removed from the cluster. I found a broken wire on the bi-metal strip. Also the power into the gauge was grounding out to the housing . What a shame as it was a very clean unit. I had another gauge and combined the two into one unit. This unit will only read three quarters of tank with 4.5 volts.It should read full. As a millwright I know every thing mechanical must be able to be calibrated. Here is a couple of pictures . The arms with cut teeth at the ends and accessible through the little holes on the back of the cover is where I think you calibrate the gauge. I will attempt this, in the morning and let you know how I made out. thanks for all your helpView attachment 48553 View attachment 48554

You need to include the sending unit, voltage limiter, and wiring harness in your calibration attempt. Those other items will effect the resistance in the circuit and therefor the calibration.
 

RJH

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
67
Reaction score
11
That's actually makes a lot of sense, Thanks every body for all your input. I'll find just how accurate my calibration is, when i run out of gas and the needle shows 1/8 tank
 
Back
Top