The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Gas Gauge needle

Not sure where to post this question so I put it in General and hope for the best. I am in the process of finishing the installation of a new wire harness in my 1953 3100 and I installed the instrument cluster yesterday after making my connections. I noted the needle for the gas gauge was not visible, so I removed the cluster to see what the issue was. While taking the cluster out the needle reappeared. Again, I proceeded to install the cluster only to find the needle was not visible again. Is this normal? or do I need to replace this gauge? I would hate to get the truck back together only to have to tear this all apart again. Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.

Deegs

I moved to thread here in Interiors for better responses to your issue.

Deegs, the needle should appear just below the mark for E when the ignition is off. Is there any way you can attach images for us? I'll show you what it ought to look like (below).

Jon,
I attached a photo. My needle is not visible. When I take the cluster out and remove the glass and trim the needle is just below the "E " pointing downward. It was visible before I removed the cluster and replaced my temp and oil pressure gauges and it remained in place until I worked the cluster back into place. That is when I noticed the needle moved. I took it back out of the dash and repositioned the needle but it did not stay in place.

Deegs

Is it a new aftermarket gas gauge? What happens when you turn the key on? Has it ever worked correctly?

Make sure you have power to the gauge.

The gauge worked correctly. I only had the cluster out to replace the water temp and oil pressure gauges. When I reinstalled the cluster into the dash I noticed the needle was not visible. I am not finished with installing a new wire harness so I don't know what will happen when I apply power yet.

Deegs

With no power at all, your fuel gauge should look just like the image I attached. If it doesn't, my guess is something has happened to your gauge while it was out. The needle (with or without power) should never drop down where you can't see it. There is an image attached...your fuel gauge with the face plate removed. The longer pink arrow points to a small brass piece which should stop the needle in its downward movement.

Jon is right. A needle "pegs" on E and F. Bend the peg/stop. That could be the "something happened" he speaks of. It's possible needle will "power" to proper place depending on the design of gauge..... and correct sender install and ohmage.

Thanks guys I ordered a new gauge. Not taking any chances with this one based on the feedback and photos provided.

Deegs

Deegs if you buy a new one, please don't discard your old one. If you don't want it, I or others here would be happy to pay the postage to get it.

Deegs, you should at least try to fix your old one as the quality of most new parts is severely lacking. It's probably something simple.

Jon,
I sent you a PM.

Deegs

Excellent plan, especially considering the total pain of taking out the gauge cluster and put it back in an extra time.
I don't know what a gas gauge costs, but I do know what I charge to take one out and put it back in and that IS expensive.

I installed a new fuel gauge, and the needle is now visible. The needle on the new gage did float a bit but not past E or F like my old one did. Instrument cluster is installed again, hopefully for good this time.

Deegs

That's an improvement! Good for you.

Your gauge face cardboard needs to be rotated slightly clockwise.