GAs tank sending unit

I need some help with this:
I put some Autometer gauges in my car, including a new gas gauge and the matching sender for the tank. I know I followed the instructions to the letter, but I can't seem to get the gauge to read correctly. I've removed the tank twice to bend the float lever rod and have made only slight improvement. Wondering what I'm doing wrong? This is a gas tank in a 32 Tudor. It's a PITA to continue to remove the tank and then guess at what I'm doing.
Anyone have this problem?
Thanks for any ***ist

Jim

 

have you checked the grounds? both for the sender and the gauge

is there power to the gauge? is it wired correctly?

 

Do you have the right gauge? If it reads empty when full you have the wrong gauge. I just run into this,thats how I know. Hope this helps....

 

did you measure the ohms from empty to full ? should be 0-90 . also take the lead and ground then un ground the wire and watch the gauge . should do a complete sweep to and fro . how is the dash gauge powered ? key on only ?

 

...most likely a ground problem, you need a good ground on the tank & guage.

 

do a search here too - lots of info posted -above advice good

 

I feel your pain. You might try the Auto Meter website, they have a troubloeshooting guide for troubleshooting their fuel guage. As mentioned, it seems most time the problem is ground related, but my AutoMeter fuel sending units keep going bad, the $90. ones. I use the 90 ohm sending unit that has a styrofoam looking half circle that runs in an enclosed guide rather than a float on an arm. The car has been built about 6 years and I've replaced 2 fuel gauges and 3 sending units. The replacement always repaired the problem but I don;t think the units, both gauge and sending unit, are very good quality. I only drive the car on the weekends and its my opinion that the failure rate is much to high.
Good Luck....
BOutlaw

 

I always wire up the gauge/sender/battery on the bench before I install it in the car. If it works on the bench and I have a problem, I know the glitch is my installation.

 

Thanks for the advice, Guys. I'm sure of the grounds. The gauge moves, but nowhere as it should. I'll try the Autometer site and see if there's something that might help. What a Pain.
Jim

 

The two most common issues are poor ground, as already mentioned, and a gauge and sender that are not built to work in the same Ohm range (33-240, 0-90 etc). Almost all gauge manufacturers build their gauges with more than one rating so be sure your gauge and sender are matched. It is always wise to bench test before installation to save you excessive aggravation.