My Fuel Gage Stopped Working

[Granny 2]

Gas gage quit working last night. It just moves around 3/4 and 1/2. What should I look at first??

Thanks

 

[turbojimmy]

It's probably the sender in the tank. The windings wear over time and they get flat spots. As a result, they only read through part of the operating range. If you have a digital dash, you might have to get creative (find a used one, have yours repaired) because they're not available from the dealer. If you have an analog dash, the hanger assembly might still be available from GN.

Jim

 

[sbbuick]

I fixed a 89 Corvette gauge with a similar problem.

Take the sender out. Carefully take it apart and spray the rheostat coils with contact cleaner. Then bend the contact point a little so that it rubs the coil a little more firmly.

You can check your results with a digital or good analog ohm meter. As far as I know, all GMs are 0 - 90 ohms from full to empty.

Hey, it worked for me, and my Vette had a digital dash, too!

 

[SilverSleeper]

If its an analog dash, pull the plate containing the gauge out. Check to see that all the contacts are clean. They actually screw onto the gauge, and can become loose over time. I have had to fix mine a few times. Take some fine sandpaper to clean them up if need be.
If it is the sender, then that wont help much, but it is a lot easier to mess with than the gas tank.