Hello again Stovebolters . . I have a fuel gauge issue.
Yes, I have read through most of the fuel gauge questions/answers from older posts. I did not see my issue addressed . . . when I turn on the dash key switch, the fuel gauge needle drops below empty, it does not register any fuel? I know there are at least 8 gallons in the tank.
I am guessing that the gauge is original (?) to the '51 2-ton truck. Old posts usually said that electrical issues and not the gauge was the typical problem. It was not working when I bought it because most of the truck wires had been shredded. After removing the seat today I checked voltage at the tank. It was only 1.53 volts. Battery, headlight and starter all showed 6.54 volts. ALL wiring on the truck was replaced with a new harness and anytime a wire goes through the firewall, floor or other metal area, the wire is encased with a rubber grommet. I read that when the gauge trim ring is painted (as I have done) the fuel gauge may not be properly grounded . . . I attached a temporary grounding wire to one of the threaded studs holding the gauge group to the dash to make certain the gauge is grounded.
So, I am at a loss . . the voltage drop at the tank, the needle drop when the key is turned on and the fact that this is the only electrical issue I have experienced since replacing the harness?!
Any suggestions will be appreciated . . . . thanks.
Dennis in Austin
"After removing the seat today I checked voltage at the tank. It was only 1.53 volts." I will assume by "tank" you mean the sender. There is no voltage at the sender. So I don't know what you "read" on the meter and at what meter setting.
You say you have read old posts and most of the problems are electrical not the gauge. The gauge IS the bulk of the "electrical". Actually the most typical problem is ground. You need a wire from a sender screw to the chassis. You need to verify that you have a hot wire to the proper gauge terminal and that the other terminal has the wire that goes to the sender center tap.
We need to settle down and begin a trouble shoot. As usual we are jumping all over the place with ideas and explanations. You are not up on electrical yet. No problem. Make sure that if there is a fuse associated with the gauge, that it is checked. Make sure you check voltage at the gauge terminal.
You need to go back and review the "old" posts more carefully. We have gone over every possible issue and tests in those old posts. There are dozens of posts to study. It will take time but it's all there. Your issue IS addressed many times. So I see you have not read much.
There are some red flags here:
1. Gauge not working when truck purchased means you don't know anything about it I assume. Could be the wrong gauge or is bad.
2. Everything else is "new" so points to gauge as you say. but we don't know who installed the new?
3. Thinking there is supposed to be voltage at the sender.
