The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Speedo & Fuel Gauge Problems

1962 C10

When I bought this truck the speedo cable was squeeking so bad that I had to pull over and disconnect it from the gauge itself. The needle was bouncing all over the place and screaming something horrible. Is the gear stripped out in the gauge itself or what else could it be.

The guy I bought this truck from said they had the fuel tank sealed a few years back. I just noticed that the fuel gauge is not working. I looked behind the seat and the wiring "looks" correct but who knows. How is the best way for me to tackle this fuel gauge not working problem??

Try to run the speedo with a drill on the cable instead of the tranny. Inspect the speedo drive cable in the housing for damage or lack of lubrication. Most likely the cable is the problem. If the fuel gauge wire is grounded somewhere the gauge will always read empty. The float may have filled with gas. Try to remove the wire from the sending unit on the tank, turn on ignition and look for the needle to move towards full. Then ground the wire and look for the needle to move to empty. Don't hold the wire on ground, just a touch to look for movement. If it does move the problem will be in the sending unit (sealer may have gummed it up). If you still are on empty with the wire removed the problem is in the wiring or the gauge. Be sure that you have voltage to one side or the gauge or it won't work.

Found a easier solution, bought a complete assembly (original gear for this truck) in perfect working condition, shipped for $45. My time would have been more than that just tracking down the problem; let alone fixing it. Thanks!!!