Gas tank always full
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,072
Likes: 1
From: Oklahoma City OK
St. Jude '10
Gas tank always full
Wouldn't it be nice.
Actually my gage seems to be stuck on full. The only thing I've done to the car is replace the cat back pipes. Is it possible I may have created a short. And, if there is a short, will the gage will read full instead of going dead or reading empty.
Actually my gage seems to be stuck on full. The only thing I've done to the car is replace the cat back pipes. Is it possible I may have created a short. And, if there is a short, will the gage will read full instead of going dead or reading empty.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
It's could be the fuel level sender unit in the gas tank. It's part of the fuel pump assembly and is easy to remove and check using a digital volt meter. I didn't make a note of the readings you should get - full Vs empty - but they may be posted in the Tech Tips section OR someone can probably post them for you.
On a previous 86, my gauge was very inaccurate even left me stranded w/o gas once. I pulled the pump and level sender and after a little tweaking fixed the problem.
Hope this helps.
Jake
West Point ROCKS!
On a previous 86, my gauge was very inaccurate even left me stranded w/o gas once. I pulled the pump and level sender and after a little tweaking fixed the problem.
Hope this helps.
Jake
West Point ROCKS!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Chapin South Carolina
It is probably the fuel level sender. I believe it gets 0 Ohms for full and 90 Ohms for an empty tank. So a break in the line will read full.
It also come be a wiring problem which I had both on mine. There is a harness connect under the carper behind the passenger seat in the back. If you have a vert this can become a problem.
You can test the fuel sender with an ohm meter without pulling it out. I am work and don't remember which ones to test, but the connector is just under the rubber gas spillage holder. Pull the rubber gas spillage holder out, you should see the connector and be able to figure it out. I believe there is three wires. One is for the power on the fuel pump, one is the ground, and one to the fuel sender. The ground is obivious and you can check for 12 volts to find the power and that leaves you with the fuel sender wire.
It also come be a wiring problem which I had both on mine. There is a harness connect under the carper behind the passenger seat in the back. If you have a vert this can become a problem.
You can test the fuel sender with an ohm meter without pulling it out. I am work and don't remember which ones to test, but the connector is just under the rubber gas spillage holder. Pull the rubber gas spillage holder out, you should see the connector and be able to figure it out. I believe there is three wires. One is for the power on the fuel pump, one is the ground, and one to the fuel sender. The ground is obivious and you can check for 12 volts to find the power and that leaves you with the fuel sender wire.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 2
From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
When I got my 88 2 years ago, the gauge always read full. I had to replace the cluster power supply and after that the gauge worked pretty well. Now at 1/4 it is empty. Ethanol added to the gas about the same time. Now I try to top it off when the gauge gets to 1/2. One less thing I worry about. 
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
There is a whole thread on here from like 06, it is a great write up, and shows every step to fix it.
he just took the fuel door off, bought a new seal, and pulled out the 9 little bolts, and I think he pulled the whole thing out, I will try to find it.
he just took the fuel door off, bought a new seal, and pulled out the 9 little bolts, and I think he pulled the whole thing out, I will try to find it.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,383
Likes: 4
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
From: Chapin South Carolina
Then you have a wire cut somewhere along the way. Look at the harness connector in the back behind the passenger seat, pull the carpet up in the back. The wire has probably pulled away from the connector which mine did. I just cut the wire on the other side and put them together.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Caruthersville MO
Thanks I found a 14 wire connector lying in water in the rt. rear compartment. 6 wires were rusted completely into. I cut the conn. and sliced and heat shrink all of them and drilled a hole for future water. this is a convertible with a bad top seal (i just got the car last week) this fixed my problems. Thank U and God bless. Billy