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chickentender
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the last time i filled up the gas tank on my 60 BT7, it appears that the level indicator in the tank is stuck at the full tank position. any suggestions on how i free the level indicator?
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gas gauge
- Thread starter chickentender
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This may sound too simple, but, when my gauge shows either full or empty and it doesn't fluxuate, I have found that the needle of the gauge has hung up and when I tap the gauge it returns to normal readings. It is a easy way to start problem solving.
Charlie
Charlie
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chickentender
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i tried tapping the gauge . that doesnt seem to be the problem.
richberman
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:lol:
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chickentender
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if it is normal and driving it will cure it. by the way, it has happened before and driving it did cure it. is it the gauge getting stuck or the float in the tank getting stuck?
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chickentender
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that makes sense and sounds easy, thank you.
Roger P. Main
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Switch off the ignition. Disconnect the wire from the sender unit on the fuel tank, tape the end of the lead with electrical tape to prevent shorting, remove the sender unit, and check the float for freedom of movement. Connect an analog ohmmeter to the terminal on the sender unit and the body of the sender unit, which is grounded by the fastening screws when the sender unit is installed on the fuel tank, and slowly move the float up and down. The resistance should vary smoothly. If that is the case, the sender unit is OK. If not, the sender unit is defective and will have to be replaced. I found that the sender unit on my Healey had been installed backwards. The float should face the front of the car for the gauge to indicate properly. Also remake all electrical connections. Clean the fastening screws for the sender unit, the tapped holes on the tank flange, and use serrated washers under the nuts on the sender unit and the gauge. If that does not help, then the gauge is the problem and will have to be replaced. I always switch on the ignition and watch the fuel gauge while I am filling the tank. If the fuel gauge shows an increasing fuel level ans the tank is filled and shows full wheh the tank is full, then everything is operating as it should. Nevertheless, I never trust fuel gauges and carry two, filled, five-liter, gas cans in the car at all times.
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Dipsticks:
This is a scan of the distances on two gas tank dip sticks arrived at by experimentation. The one labeled Bruce was done in the car with the stick in the indentation at the bottom of the tank; the one labeled Steve was done in a straight spare tank with the stick at the bottom of the outside edge of the filler tube, hence on the floor of the tank, slightly above the indentation. That explains why the gallon marks line up except at the bottom.
https://www.pbase.com/stevegerow/image/88878971
Float orientation:
Also, the tank ground needs to be toward the back so the float is toward the front. If the float faces backward it will not go into the indent at the bottom of the tank and will show some gas when the tank is in fact empty.
FWIW
This is a scan of the distances on two gas tank dip sticks arrived at by experimentation. The one labeled Bruce was done in the car with the stick in the indentation at the bottom of the tank; the one labeled Steve was done in a straight spare tank with the stick at the bottom of the outside edge of the filler tube, hence on the floor of the tank, slightly above the indentation. That explains why the gallon marks line up except at the bottom.
https://www.pbase.com/stevegerow/image/88878971
Float orientation:
Also, the tank ground needs to be toward the back so the float is toward the front. If the float faces backward it will not go into the indent at the bottom of the tank and will show some gas when the tank is in fact empty.
FWIW