The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Fuel sending unit - minor success story

Just thought I'd post a small success story, since I'm so pleased by it. My fuel gauge has been stuck on half since I got the truck last year. I wasn't sure if it was a gauge or a sending unit issue, but I figured it would be easier to pull the sending unit than the gauge. I finally got around to removing it, and when I did, it appeared to be extremely rusty as if it had been sitting outside for the past 75 years.

I took a wire brush to it, and it started cleaning up really nice. I then realized it was 75 years of fuel deposits, not rust. The float was stuck, but after repeated brushing, alternately soaking in solvent and penetrating oil and gentle tapping, it started to move. Finally got it to where it moves freely. Put it back in, and viola! it works! Not the most accurate, but it's better than being stuck on half. At least now I have a rough idea of whether or not I'm about to have to get out and push.

Sometimes you catch a break!

Good job. A lot of small successes often add up to a big success.

Did you figure out a way to test before re-installing? I just got mine mechanically functional last night.

I just connected an ohmmeter to it. One lead to the terminal on the top, and the other to the body of the unit. I could then see the resistance change as I moved the float up and down. I suspect the rheostat is kind of worn. The readout isn't always very smooth and it jumps around a little. Still, at least it's working now.