Found the ground for the sending unit and it probably needs redoing, so I hooked up a test wire as a new ground and ran it to a good ground that I have.
It didn't change anything and the needle just stays at E.
You lost me.
You originally stated that with the key on, the gauge goes to full.
Now, with a good ground, "It didn't change anything and the needle just stays at E."
Since it no longer goes to full with the key on, is that not a "change"?
If it reads E with the key on, either the tank is empty or nearly so, or you have a bad sending unit.
Carl