Fuel sender hassles, still

Jack21 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-2002, 05:45 PM

Think we discussed this on previous posts. Fuel gauge oscillates wildly with about a half tank of fuel. Now it's starting to damage gauge. Pointer hangs on facia plate screw.

Replacement sending unit and tank fuel pickup nonexistant from CR. On backorder.

Problem could be a defective sending unit, or bad ground. Whichever, the tank has to come out, and the car taken off the street while I repair it. Looking to have parts to fix it on hand to minimize down time.

Got a 0 - 90 ohm sender from JC Whitney for $15. Can use it for circuit diagnostics, and install it if it solves the problem. Fairly decent quality part for fifteen bucks.

As a backup, got Autometer replacement gauge and sender, both 240 - 33 ohm, the only option for sending unit from AM.

Keep you posted as this progresses. You never realize how much you'll miss your tank gauge until it doesn't work, and you have to track your mileage.

Mr.Fixit · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-2002, 05:50 PM

When it starts popping in the corners from going lean, time to add gas.

BCompy · #3 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 04:05 PM

Jack ,had the identical problem. Cr was no help ,no gauge no how.The back of my old gauge was 0 -90 ohm. VDO has it in summit. Almost matched the Classic gauges ,pulled glove box and good as new . Good Luck

Jack21 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 07:29 PM

Thanks bcompy. If it was a defective gauge, it would be an easy fix. Gauges are all Autometer. Autometer service is quite good. Return a defective part and for a few bucks, they fix it or replace it. The problem I suspect is the sending unit in the tank, or the wiring to it.

The hassle is going to be the fuel pickup and sending unit is one piece. If the CR sending unit is defective, I'll have to graft the replacement sending unit onto the fuel pickup, or cut an additional hole in the top of the tank just for the replacement sending unit. Pisses me off I can't just get a replacement pickup and sending unit from CR.

Double Venom · #5 (**permalink**) 10-20-2002, 08:04 PM

Jack,

When you get around to pulling the sending unit from the tank..give me a couple days notice, OK?

I don't think I want to be here when you find the problem. It's not hard to adapt a new sending unit, but it is a pain in the arse!

OK, here tis, chances are you will find the sending unit, along with the pick-up tube covered in rust. Seems a lot of "Tanks" came in to Roadsters without enough "presevative" to keep the tanks clean and rust free before they actually got used.

I haven't seen this problem for more than two years. Maybe you got one of the old ones.

DV...if this is the case, their is a slight chance a simple and thorough cleaning will fix the problem.

Jack21 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-21-2002, 09:51 PM

Thanks DV. A simple and thorough cleaning may very well be the problem. There are also some street rod folks that could build me a new pickup/sending unit if I provided example to work with.

Trying to minimize downtime while repair is made by having options on my shelf. Car is too much fun to drive to take off street for every nit-noid glitch.

May take complete unit out and send to street rod tank builder for replication. Then we'll all have a second source for for fuel pickup/sending unit assemblies. Just like the '91 - '94 "Good old days", right? (Who elce makes the parts I need, or I could modify, to finish this car?)

Damn, this is what sours me on CR!

Double Venom · #7 (**permalink**) 10-22-2002, 06:31 AM

Jack,
Sorry, but I forgot the make of your gauges? The original sending unit is based off GM, 0-90 OHMS. If you can check for me, once you get it out, let me know. I have half a dozen units (new) lying around the shop. If I've got one to match, I'll send it to ya...$0.00.
OK?

DV

Jack21 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-23-2002, 05:07 PM

DV. Thanks,

Gauge is Autometer "Z" Series, 0 - 90 ohm. If the gauge is broken, AM will repair or replace it for a nominal charge.

What I could use is a factory fuel pickup/sending unit. Even to "borrow" it to use as a model to have a replacement made by a street rod fuel tank shop. This way, the swap out would be a remove and replace.

Double Venom · #9 (**permalink**) 10-23-2002, 07:58 PM

Jack,
Send me an address and it will be on the way!