Fuel sender/gauge help

[Wiz]

Got the tank all refitted, put the fuel back in - no leaks as yet.

Nothing showing on the gauge.

Can't remember if the fuel gauge works with the ignition on or if its engine running?

Have turned ignition on and nothing on the gauge. Assume the sender is fitted correctly -



Seems to be the same as the pic of Geralds.
When i fitted the sender the other way the float would be very close to the side of the tank.

Connetions are clean and tight.

Can't run it just yet to check if its stuck.

[tvrgit]

the gauge should work with ignition on.

take the feed wire off the sender, and earth it (not to the tank - to a good earth) - gauge should go to "full". If it does, then the sender is wrong (upside down?) or the tank itself isn't earthed, if the gauge doesn't move - then the fault is elsewhere in the wiring.

Edited by tvrgit on Sunday 14th February 12:57

[mep12345]

tvrgit said:

the gauge should work with ignition on.

take the feed wire off the sender, and earth it (not to the tank - to a good earth) - gauge should go to "full". If it does, then the sender is wrong (upside down?) or the tank itself isn't earthed, if the gauge doesn't move - then the fault is elsewhere in the wiring.

Edited by tvrgit on Sunday 14th February 12:57

+1

[Barkychoc]

That push on connector that attaches to the side of the tank - you need to make sure that it has a good connection to that wire - so that means scraping the paint off or whatever you have coated it with, put a smear of vaseline on the bare metal to stop rust.
I assume that wire gives the tank an earth - but does the body of your sender connect to the tank body - if its all nicely coated now with rubber washers retaining the sender you may not be getting continuity from the tank to the sender earth - easy enough to test with a multimeter.

[Wiz]

Took the feed wire off and connected through a meter to chassis earth, with ignition on getting 6V on the meter and nothing showing on the gauge.



The battery isn't fully charged as its been stood so putting that on charge overnight.

[tvrgit]

No don't connect it through a meter - ground it straight to earth.

[Wiz]

Will give it a try tomorrow night.

Off out for quiz and now

[DJ8226]

Hi Alan your tank is looking mighty fine now, well done you, bet your well pleased with it. I am sure the glitches with the sender will soon be sorted. Currently painting the front chassis on mine and working backwards spent 5 hours at it on Saturday but I can see where I have been, more to do and still have the swirl to fix. I am away with work on Wednesday (overnight)so not sure what time I will be back but on Thursday but if I am back in good time and I am not too tired I will pop in to the regional meet and you can download the tank overhaul to me. Speak soon Regards, Damon

[jimed]

Is it possible that the tank has now has been so well protected that it isn't actually earthed to the chassis very well? Could be worth trying a wire from the tank earth to the rear lights chassis earth which is probably nearby?
I did have a simlar problem years ago with a Marina (OK I know but someone had to have one!!) when I replaced the petrol tank and gave it a really good dong with red lead before fitting it and the gauge didn't work after that - I think I eventually (and very carefully! - not too sure I'd do that these days) drilled a small hole in the tank flange and used a self tapper to connect the earth to - problem solved.
Jim

[tvrgit]

jimed said:

Is it possible that the tank has now has been so well protected that it isn't actually earthed to the chassis very well? Could be worth trying a wire from the tank earth to the rear lights chassis earth which is probably nearby?
I did have a simlar problem years ago with a Marina (OK I know but someone had to have one!!) when I replaced the petrol tank and gave it a really good dong with red lead before fitting it and the gauge didn't work after that - I think I eventually (and very carefully! - not too sure I'd do that these days) drilled a small hole in the tank flange and used a self tapper to connect the earth to - problem solved.
Jim

That's a possibility - that's why I suggested earthing it to a good earth, not the tank!

[Wiz]

Connected the feed to the chassis earth - bingo! gauge working fine, so either the sender is upside down or the tank earth isn't working.

The tank itself isn't earthed to the chasis directly because the straps are rubber lined as it was originally when it worked, so the wire going to the tank body must be providing an earth i guess.
Have an other go at that earth later and if thats good -

Will take the sender back out and try it the other way up. Not hard as everything is clean with new seal.
Just the hassle of draining the tank again.

[Gerald-TVR]

Wiz said:

Just the hassle of draining the tank again.

Wealthy man - full tank of petrol!!!

[tvrgit]

reconnect the sender, and then put a big jump lead on the tank earth terminal, to an earth on the chassis. If the gauge jumps, the tank needs earthed. If it doesn't, the sender is wrong.

ETA - don't connect the jump lead with the ignition on in case it makes sparks!

Edited by tvrgit on Monday 15th February 17:39

[Wiz]

Gerald-TVR said:

Wiz said:

Just the hassle of draining the tank again.

Wealthy man - full tank of petrol!!!

Thought it was a good idea to winter it with a full tank - forgot about the sender leak

[Wiz]

tvrgit said:

reconnect the sender, and then put a big jump lead on the tank earth terminal, to an earth on the chassis. If the gauge jumps, the tank needs earthed. If it doesn't, the sender is wrong.

ETA - don't connect the jump lead with the ignition on in case it makes sparks!

Edited by tvrgit on Monday 15th February 17:39

Must be the sender 50/50 it was the right or wrong way up.
Must remember to make a note or take a picture next time.

[Wiz]

Barkychoc said:

That push on connector that attaches to the side of the tank - you need to make sure that it has a good connection to that wire - so that means scraping the paint off or whatever you have coated it with, put a smear of vaseline on the bare metal to stop rust.
I assume that wire gives the tank an earth - but does the body of your sender connect to the tank body - if its all nicely coated now with rubber washers retaining the sender you may not be getting continuity from the tank to the sender earth - easy enough to test with a multimeter.

Turns out the sender will only fit the way i have it.
On taking it out again found the problem, as you pointed out Chris - the sender body must earth to the tank on this version. Through the locking ring and face of the sender body into the tank. Both were well coated with paint.

Sorted now