81 gas gauge pegged way past full.
07-01-2012, 07:36 PM
#1
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81 gas gauge pegged way past full.
My gauge is reading waaay past full at about 3-4 o'clock. I have always had problems with the floaty gas gauge but this is crazy! I have this weird feeling it has something to do with this insane heat we have been having here. My car was parked outside the other day when it was about 116 outside and thats when I noticed it, it was fine the night before. Not really sure what could cause this. Thanks in advance for the help! 
07-01-2012, 09:40 PM
#2
Race Director
If the wire connector at the tank sender falls off, the tank will read past full.
If that same wire is cut in 2, it will read past full.
No input signal from tank will make the gauge read past full.
edit- this should help
http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructi...nual_ver_4.pdf
If that same wire is cut in 2, it will read past full.
No input signal from tank will make the gauge read past full.
edit- this should help
http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructi...nual_ver_4.pdf
Last edited by ...Roger...; 07-01-2012 at 09:45 PM.
07-01-2012, 10:28 PM
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Well now its back at E. I had put about $10 in earlier today when it was still reading all the way full, and I didnt drive it that much. Leaving a friends house and it looks like its working but it was very low so I decided to throw a couple bucks in just to check to see if it was working and it doenst look like its moving at all now. Not even doing the regular ole gm float. I dk whats going on.
07-01-2012, 11:19 PM
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
sounds like the ohms wire is breaking.. broke or somewhere in between....
If you pull the ohms wire from the gas tank sender the gauge should go to full.... If you ground it out (touch it to the frame) it should go to empty....
If you try this test and the gauge performs in this manner you have established that the gauge has good power and ground as does the sending unit and the issue is in the ohms wire.
If it fails.. go read the write up that Roger posted the link too... And should you still have questions feel free to post again.
Willcox
If you pull the ohms wire from the gas tank sender the gauge should go to full.... If you ground it out (touch it to the frame) it should go to empty....
If you try this test and the gauge performs in this manner you have established that the gauge has good power and ground as does the sending unit and the issue is in the ohms wire.
If it fails.. go read the write up that Roger posted the link too... And should you still have questions feel free to post again.
Willcox
07-02-2012, 09:34 AM
#6
Race Director
So in other words if the wire falls off ,the gauge goes to full
Then you can drive forever without stopping for fuel. 
Actually its a good thing to remember , when ever any of the 3 gauge wires fall off the sensors or break in two,the gauge responds in a positive manor.
fuel tank = FULL
temp gauge = COLD
oil gauge = LOTS OF OIL PRESSURE
So , BEWARE if things are looking TOO good.
07-02-2012, 10:04 PM
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
NO all you have do is remove the wire
So in other words if the wire falls off ,the gauge goes to full Then you can drive forever without stopping for fuel.
Actually its a good thing to remember , when ever any of the 3 gauge wires fall off the sensors or break in two,the gauge responds in a positive manor.
fuel tank = FULL
temp gauge = COLD
oil gauge = LOTS OF OIL PRESSURE
So , BEWARE if things are looking TOO good.
So in other words if the wire falls off ,the gauge goes to full
Then you can drive forever without stopping for fuel. Actually its a good thing to remember , when ever any of the 3 gauge wires fall off the sensors or break in two,the gauge responds in a positive manor.
fuel tank = FULL
temp gauge = COLD
oil gauge = LOTS OF OIL PRESSURE
So , BEWARE if things are looking TOO good.
07-02-2012, 10:50 PM
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Race Director
07-02-2012, 11:36 PM
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
She's gonna kick my A$$ if I stay on this computer much longer... that's a fact! I'm getting that evil glare right now....
02-02-2016, 07:57 AM
#10
Racer
Troubleshooting
If the wire connector at the tank sender falls off, the tank will read past full.
If that same wire is cut in 2, it will read past full.
No input signal from tank will make the gauge read past full.
edit- this should help
http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructi...nual_ver_4.pdf
If that same wire is cut in 2, it will read past full.
No input signal from tank will make the gauge read past full.
edit- this should help
http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructi...nual_ver_4.pdf
02-02-2016, 12:49 PM
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
On the 1981 the ohms wire is in the pcb connector.
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; 02-02-2016 at 12:50 PM.