C1 & C2 Corvettes General C1 Corvette & C2 Corvette Discussion, Technical Info, Performance Upgrades, Project Builds, Restorations

1962 electrical problem

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 22, 2008 | 08:11 PM
  #1  
magrag's Avatar
magrag
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 82
Likes: 5
From: Bucyrus Ohio
2017 C1 of the Year Finalist
Default 1962 electrical problem

I have had my 1962 Vette since 1980 and it has always had this problem ( The gas gauge needle jumps up about 1/4 of the gauge when the turn signals are on and even move when I press on the brake pedal.)
I have been working on turning this car into a Vetterod for the last 1 and 1/2 years and now that it is about 95% done I am making all the electrical connections and this same problem is still there!!!
I have cleaned all connections and grounds, but I do not have all of the ground straps on as I am not using a radio (just CD player).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2008 | 08:42 PM
  #2  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Default

Here is your answer in the first 3-4 paragraphs:
http://www.vetteclub.org/technicalti...lGaugeTech.pdf
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2008 | 08:52 PM
  #3  
AZDoug's Avatar
AZDoug
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,468
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
Default

Here is your answer in one sentence:

Run a new seperate 12 gauge ground wire from the fuel sender unit to the frame.

Doug
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2008 | 09:24 PM
  #4  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Default

I think after fighting the problem for 28 years this fella might want a bit more info on the cause of the problem Doug... I sure would.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 01:41 AM
  #5  
AZDoug's Avatar
AZDoug
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,468
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
Default

I only solved his problem, you offered background.

Doug
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 08:32 AM
  #6  
kenmo's Avatar
kenmo
Le Mans Master
Conversation Starter
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,158
Likes: 395
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada NS
Default

Originally Posted by AZDoug
Here is your answer in one sentence:

Run a new seperate 12 gauge ground wire from the fuel sender unit to the frame.

Doug


Doing this fixed my similar problem....
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 04:48 PM
  #7  
Last 62's Avatar
Last 62
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 278
Likes: 1
From: Mukilteo Washington
Default

My car has been doing that for at least 43 years. I think I'll just leave it alone.

Jim
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2008 | 07:42 PM
  #8  
magrag's Avatar
magrag
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 82
Likes: 5
From: Bucyrus Ohio
2017 C1 of the Year Finalist
Default

Thanks for the help I will try it soon and post my results.

Thanks again
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Apr 24, 2008 | 08:10 PM
  #9  
magrag's Avatar
magrag
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 82
Likes: 5
From: Bucyrus Ohio
2017 C1 of the Year Finalist
Default Good news and Bad on my 62 gas gauge bouncing

After reading the solutions you guys gave me it started to sound familar and sure enough when I removed the tank cover there was the extra ground wire I installed about 6 months ago when I wired up the rear half. So I followed this wire found and the end was in the drivers side kick panel. Screwed it down and now the gauge only bounces about an 1/8 of an inch much better!!!!! But it still bounces. So I added another ground from sender to frame no difference!!! Next I ran a jumper from the sender to the - battery terminal. Still bounces!!

Any suggestion now or should I just be happy witha little bounce?!?!?!

Thanks for all your help!!!!
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2008 | 08:55 PM
  #10  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Default

Originally Posted by magrag
After reading the solutions you guys gave me it started to sound familar and sure enough when I removed the tank cover there was the extra ground wire I installed about 6 months ago when I wired up the rear half. So I followed this wire found and the end was in the drivers side kick panel. Screwed it down and now the gauge only bounces about an 1/8 of an inch much better!!!!! But it still bounces. So I added another ground from sender to frame no difference!!! Next I ran a jumper from the sender to the - battery terminal. Still bounces!!

Any suggestion now or should I just be happy witha little bounce?!?!?!

Thanks for all your help!!!!
I too get a small bounce after applying the extra ground to my '61 - but the gauge is usable now so I'll live with it - you should prob do the same. This may have been as good as it ever was even when the cars were new.
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2008 | 09:17 PM
  #11  
TopLess62's Avatar
TopLess62
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
From: Detroit MI
Default

Originally Posted by AZDoug
Here is your answer in one sentence:

Run a new seperate 12 gauge ground wire from the fuel sender unit to the frame.

Doug
CRAP!!!! I wish you had told me this YESTERDAY befor I put my tank cover back on with new dumdum and put my seats back in!!!!


Reply
Old Apr 24, 2008 | 09:20 PM
  #12  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Default

Originally Posted by TopLess62
CRAP!!!! I wish you had told me this YESTERDAY befor I put my tank cover back on with new dumdum and put my seats back in!!!!


You may not have the problem Pete. I'd test drive it before I opened things back up.
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2008 | 09:29 PM
  #13  
TopLess62's Avatar
TopLess62
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
From: Detroit MI
Default

Originally Posted by fdreano
You may not have the problem Pete. I'd test drive it before I opened things back up.
Oh, I have it alright!!! I always have and after my maiden voyage today, I still have it!!!
Reply
Old Apr 24, 2008 | 09:44 PM
  #14  
Frankie the Fink's Avatar
Frankie the Fink
Team Owner
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,145
Army
Default

Originally Posted by TopLess62
Oh, I have it alright!!! I always have and after my maiden voyage today, I still have it!!!
Went through the same drill - after replacing my faulty fuel sending unit and 'buttoning up the patient' I find out the gauge is whacky and had to break everything open again and add the ground wire. Had to open it again a THIRD time when I found out later that my drain tube from my gas cap filler area was missing ! All within a couple of months.

Bite the bullet and do it and move on or it will bug you every time you drive off.
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2008 | 12:27 PM
  #15  
AZDoug's Avatar
AZDoug
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,468
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
Default

Originally Posted by magrag
Screwed it down and now the gauge only bounces about an 1/8 of an inch much better!!!!! But it still bounces. So I added another ground from sender to frame no difference!!! Next I ran a jumper from the sender to the - battery terminal. Still bounces!!

May i posit that you now have an improved ground, but you don't have a good ground.

Good ground: soldered terminals, not just crimped, clean both surfaces to fresh bright metal where the terminals attach to the sending unit screw and the frame.

It also helps to amke sure the rest of your grounds are good, if your frame to battery/frame to engine ground is bad, you still don't have a good ground.

I grounded the snot out of my car when i had the engine out last time.

Doug
Reply
Old Apr 25, 2008 | 12:56 PM
  #16  
Jims66's Avatar
Jims66
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,540
Likes: 51
From: Lexington Park Maryland
Default

I too have "grounded the snot" out of mine as well. I've put multiple extra grounds along with retaining the stock ones. You can never have too many groung wires. Someone told me a long time ago that most electrical problems are Grounding related.
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2008 | 06:30 AM
  #17  
TopLess62's Avatar
TopLess62
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 0
From: Detroit MI
Default

Originally Posted by fdreano
Went through the same drill - after replacing my faulty fuel sending unit and 'buttoning up the patient' I find out the gauge is whacky and had to break everything open again and add the ground wire. Had to open it again a THIRD time when I found out later that my drain tube from my gas cap filler area was missing ! All within a couple of months.

Bite the bullet and do it and move on or it will bug you every time you drive off.
The part that ticks me off is that I cleaned EVERYTHING up very nicely and even replaced my complete wiring harness - albeit a few years ago now. When I did the wiring, I added several new grounds that were not factory.
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2008 | 08:02 AM
  #18  
babylonvette's Avatar
babylonvette
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,098
Likes: 1
From: west babylon new york
Default

on later model cars[ 70/80,s ] they use a strap that has teeth[jaws] it is about 2'' long it clamps on the fuel line where the lines go together from the tank to the chassis it is a 2 second fix it is avaible thru parts houses and wrecking yarks
Reply
Old Apr 26, 2008 | 09:11 PM
  #19  
magrag's Avatar
magrag
Thread Starter
Advanced
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 82
Likes: 5
From: Bucyrus Ohio
2017 C1 of the Year Finalist
Default

Thanks to all that have replied to my problem.
The good news is that after running a second ground to the frame (That makes 2 extra ground wires) my needle moves so little that I can hardly see it move when turn signals and brakes at applied.

Hope this might help others.

Thanks again
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 1962 electrical problem





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:52 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE