Gas gauge stuck on full

[djjones64]

Hello All. 1st time boat owner, 1st forum post. I have a 1994 Spectrum with a 70hp Force by Mercury Marine outboard. Purchased boat used a month 1/2 ago from an estate. Have had the boat out a few times. Gas gauge is stuck on full even after running engine non-stop for about an hour & 1/2. Is there an easy way to check if it's the gas gauge or if it's some sort of float in the tank?? Thanks for your thoughts. I'm definately learning as I go...

 

[mjf55]

Djjones... welcome.
First, try this link ( from thw stickies in this forum ) http://forums.iboats.com/electrical...-gauge-where-start-looking-repair-483016.html
Also, there is a comprehensive debug guide on the net for teleflex gauges. I can't post a direct link due to forum rules. Google "Troubleshooting Teleflex Fuel Gauges' and you will find it.

 

[bobkat1864]

Hi there...Welcome to iboats. Here is a basic troubleshooting procedure for your gage and sender.
If you remove the sender wire from the gage, the gage should read empty. Short that gage terminal to ground, and the gage should read full. If so, the gage is probably good.
Now, re connect the sender wire to the gage, at the gage. If the sender wire is grounded, the gage will read full. When disconnected from the sender, it should read empty. If the gage drops to empty when the sender wire is disconnected from the sender, either the sender is stuck, or its terminal is shorted to ground. If the gage stays on full when the wire is disconnected from the sender, then the wire is probably shorted to ground somewhere along its path to the gage.
Hope this helps...let us know how ya make out. Bob.

 

[Twhjelmgren28]

I just recently had an issue with my gas gauge pegging all the way up - it ended up being the ground that was loose...attached it in a different spot and it worked like a charm.

It's most definitely a good idea to go through the above troubleshooting tips as every boat / issue is different but I'd do a quick check on the ground wire...