1987 Corvette Gas Gauge Broken
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Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 52
Likes: 3
From: Southern California
1987 Corvette Gas Gauge Broken
Ive run into a new found issue in my corvette, I've had it for a little while and was worried that the fuel gauge was broken since it always stayed at full even though i've driven it a good bit this month. I saw one time at idle that the gauge slowly climbed down until it was almost empty, but upon shutting the engine off and turning it back on the gauge was back up to reading at full. What could be going on here? Im at a lost and could use some help from the forum.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 304
From: Timra, Sweden
I have been playing around with my fuel sensor signal trying to control the gauge from my aftermarket ECU.
The fuel gauge has a very slow filtering. It takes minutes to go from full to empty or back if you instanty change the sensor resistance from full to empty.
When powering on the dash first use the sensor value as is, then start filtering from there.
The fuel level sensor is a variable resistor to ground. A faulty sensor or wiring that result in an open circuit will give you full tank on the gauge.
You could test to groud the sensor wire back under the fuel lid and turn on ignition. The gauge should read empty.
The fuel gauge has a very slow filtering. It takes minutes to go from full to empty or back if you instanty change the sensor resistance from full to empty.
When powering on the dash first use the sensor value as is, then start filtering from there.
The fuel level sensor is a variable resistor to ground. A faulty sensor or wiring that result in an open circuit will give you full tank on the gauge.
You could test to groud the sensor wire back under the fuel lid and turn on ignition. The gauge should read empty.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 438
From: Marlton NJ
What I discovered with my 86 was very similar then the gauge stayed on full constantly and I pulled the pump assembly out of the tank, bent the 3 little tabs on the sending unit to get the cover of it off and cleaned the inside of WD-40 sprayed on about 6 Q Tips. Put it all back together and works great again
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 52
Likes: 3
From: Southern California
What I discovered with my 86 was very similar then the gauge stayed on full constantly and I pulled the pump assembly out of the tank, bent the 3 little tabs on the sending unit to get the cover of it off and cleaned the inside of WD-40 sprayed on about 6 Q Tips. Put it all back together and works great again
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 4,208
Likes: 1,328
From: LeClaire Iowa
The replacement ones are about $120.00. The problem is they are all aftermarket and do not read correctly in our cars. At least mine did not. Here is a post I made about calibrating mine. Dan
calibrate fuel sender float - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
calibrate fuel sender float - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
