GAS GAUGE HELP

[ikeslayer]

my gas guage has never worked in my boat there is lots of wires behind the dash but when i look at the fuel tank this is all i got:

What do i need to hook up where? thanks in advance

[Macgyver55]

If it is like most systems, there should be a wire coming from the gauge to the center stud of the sender. The tank (or sender) needs to be grounded also.

But unless the gauge in the dash is properly connected, running the wire to the tank may not be all that is needed.

[ikeslayer]

ok thanks for the help

i planned on trying that but the next thing i don't get is shouldn't there be some type of insulation between the sending wire and the ground?

[Macgyver55]

The terminal on the tank has an insulating washer on it where it goes through the mounting plate.

[propster]

I don't know much about the electrical part, if it is indeed electrical, but on my 150 it turned out the speedo was run from a tube run back and down the motor and it was water pressure that ran the gauge. Turned out there was a tear in the tube. It's just a little black hose, maybe 3/16" diameter. Good luck.

[marine_man]

Check out this thread:

Gas Gauge Trouble Shooting

that should give you a pretty good idea how it works and get you headed in the right direction.

marine_man

[Valv]

Be sure to read Marine_Man post very well. There is absolutely NO positive (+) going to the sending unit, just 2 negative (-) wires, pink on center post and black on side.

[slammer]

My gauge never goes past half even when full. It does register when the tank is running low but never goes to full. Does the sending unit need to be replaced?

[boatfixer]

Its (the sender) either bad or is binding up somewhere

[Big Buck Buster]

Slammer could also check to see if the gauge is bad by jumping the signal wire to ground. It will read completely full if the gauge is good. If it doesn't, then the gauge is bad. Disconnect the signal wire and the gauge should read empty.

[slammer]

Ok. I'll try that. Headed for Rainy on Thurs. so it will have to wait till I get back. Thanks for the help guys! Are the gauges all the same or are they brand specific? Its from a Lund boat.

[Big Buck Buster]

Personal preference on what gauge you want. Generally speaking, they are wired the same. If you want them all to match, go with the same.

[slammer]

Sorry. I meant to ask if the sending units are the same? Are there different types for different size tanks?

[Big Buck Buster]

There are many types of sending units you can use. I have been looking at them and may be installing one in my tank soon. Many universal types that have to be modified/calibrated to your size tank, or you can get the OE replacement.

[marine_man]

The sending units all function the same.. the difference will be if you have to bend the float and arm to work with your tank (which isn't difficult) or if you get the one that's a drop in replacement with no adjustment required.

marine_man

[Big Buck Buster]

marine_man,

What do you think about the sending units with the float that travels straight up and down the sending unit stick?

BBB

[marine_man]

I think that it would work pretty well... not as easy to customize probably, but should work for you.

marine_man

[Big Buck Buster]

I will be pulling the old one out to see what type is in there right now. Will have to decide then which type to put back in. Not too sure about the one I described above. I would think that that type would be prone to sticking in one location when it is going down. Will be taking a good look at different ones. Don't want to do this again any time soon.

BBB

[boatfixer]

Some of the sdjustables have a rod that can be cut to fit your application. Simply remove the old one, hold them side by side and cut the rod on the new one to match it.

Moeller makes the reed style sending units, the ones with the float that goes straight up and down. They claim its more reliable.....

[marine_man]

As far as bending a new arm.. there's a good chance you'll be able to pop the old arm off your old sender and pop it on the new one... it's not a guarantee, but there's a good chance.

marine_man