Is it my gauge or sending unit?

85Sunbird

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 25, 2004
Messages
91
My fuek gauge on my boat will not read any lower than 1/4 tank and no higher than 3/4 tank. If I fill the boat up till it runs out the filler neck, it only show 3/4 full. And when she starts to show 1/4 tank...you better look out cause you are about to start paddling. Is it the gauge casing this or the sending unit?<br /><br />Thanks:<br />Jason
 

Trent

Captain
Joined
Nov 17, 2001
Messages
3,333
Re: Is it my gauge or sending unit?

Get a piece of wire and with the key on ground the sending unit wire to a known good ground. Your gage should go to MAX FULL. If not its the gage. If it does go max full you have a sending unit problem.
 

ThomWV

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 19, 2003
Messages
701
Re: Is it my gauge or sending unit?

I have to ask, has it always been that way? the only reason I ask is that if the one they installed in the tank was one of the generic ones, like the kit ones that Tempo puts out, then there is an adjustable arm on the sending unit. You have to adjust it to match up with the depth of your gas tank. Sometimes folks just stick them in like they come out of the package, without adjusting them. You get some odd, but consistant, effects from doing that. Its not at all hard to adjust one, but you have to do it when the level of fuel in the tank is down, so you can remove the sender.<br /><br />Before you go do all of that though let me tell you something. I've had my boat for 13 years now. The boat has 3 gas tanks. Since I've had it I have had to replace at least a half dozen fuel guages (it has 3 of them) but only one sending unit. I have had to rewire the tanks twice in that time. <br /><br />Thom
 

JasonJ

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 20, 2001
Messages
4,163
Re: Is it my gauge or sending unit?

Thom is right...on my tank, I adjust my arm so when the gauge reads empty there is still a gallon or so fuel in there, and when it is full, it is full. Of course, I don't really need the gauge as I can look over my shoulder and see the fuel through the poly tank, but one day I will cover it so the gauge will be usefull then.
 

85Sunbird

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 25, 2004
Messages
91
Re: Is it my gauge or sending unit?

Thanks guys,<br />I'll try and test it tonight when I get home. I ran out of gas last summer because of it. Luckly I was real close to a marina. <br /><br />Thom,<br />As far as know....it's always been like that.<br /><br />Thanks again:<br />Jason
 

ThomWV

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 19, 2003
Messages
701
Re: Is it my gauge or sending unit?

If its always done it you may assume that it is just the adjustment of the arm on the sending unit. Pull it and adjust it.<br /><br />Thom
 
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