The Ford Barn

ole_Bill · 10-12-2013, 10:19 AM

The fuel level gauge on my '46 Super Deluxe is not working. How do I go about troubleshooting and finding the problem? I don't want to "guess" that it is the float. The gauge has not worked since I acquired the car this summer. Other gauges work OK.

Old Henry · 10-12-2013, 10:32 AM

You can start with shorting out the gauge only for a moment to see if it moves. Start at the gauge by shorting between the terminal that goes to the sender and a good ground with the ignition switched on. The gauge should move quickly to full. If it does you know the gauge is good. If not, the gauge is bad and needs replaced. If the gauge is good then you check the wiring to the sender by having someone watch the gauge while you ground the wire that attaches to the sender. That should, again, send the gauge quickly to full. If it does, the wiring is good and something is wrong with the sender and it probably needs replaced. Be sure the sender is well grounded. A ground wire directly from the sender to a good ground is best rather than relying on the sender grounding though its attachment to the gas tank.

ole_Bill · 10-12-2013, 11:14 AM

Thanks - got all the info I need from this answer and a search of other posts. This seems to be a common problem.

ole_Bill · 10-12-2013, 11:17 AM

OOPS - spoke too soon. I forgot to mention the gauge reads full all the time.

FlatheadTed · 10-12-2013, 02:44 PM

With your model earth one side of the gauge and the needle should go from full back to MT ,Run a wire around the out side gauge to sender .Earth/ground the sender ,

ole_Bill · 10-12-2013, 06:05 PM

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Thanks for the tip. I understand what you are saying but never heard of the term MT before. Must be a kiwi thing. Again, thanks.

19Fordy · 10-12-2013, 08:04 PM

MT is also what you write on empty welding tanks.

41ford1 · 10-12-2013, 08:14 PM

It should read a little below empty(or MT) with the ignition switch off. If it reads full all the time, powered or not, the gauge unit is dead or live all the time and shorted on the signal side. Disconnect both terminals at the gauge to see if it goes to to empty. If it does you need to find a wiring problem.

10-12-2013, 10:19 AM	#1
ole_Bill Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 70	Troubleshooting gas gauge problem The fuel level gauge on my '46 Super Deluxe is not working. How do I go about troubleshooting and finding the problem? I don't want to "guess" that it is the float. The gauge has not worked since I acquired the car this summer. Other gauges work OK. __________________ "I ain't no mechanic, my posts should make that obvious, I'm jus doin my best with what I got."

10-12-2013, 10:32 AM	#2
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: Troubleshooting gas gauge problem You can start with shorting out the gauge only for a moment to see if it moves. Start at the gauge by shorting between the terminal that goes to the sender and a good ground with the ignition switched on. The gauge should move quickly to full. If it does you know the gauge is good. If not, the gauge is bad and needs replaced. If the gauge is good then you check the wiring to the sender by having someone watch the gauge while you ground the wire that attaches to the sender. That should, again, send the gauge quickly to full. If it does, the wiring is good and something is wrong with the sender and it probably needs replaced. Be sure the sender is well grounded. A ground wire directly from the sender to a good ground is best rather than relying on the sender grounding though its attachment to the gas tank. __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

10-12-2013, 11:14 AM	#3
ole_Bill Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 70	Re: Troubleshooting gas gauge problem Thanks - got all the info I need from this answer and a search of other posts. This seems to be a common problem. __________________ "I ain't no mechanic, my posts should make that obvious, I'm jus doin my best with what I got."

10-12-2013, 11:17 AM	#4
ole_Bill Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 70	Re: Troubleshooting gas gauge problem OOPS - spoke too soon. I forgot to mention the gauge reads full all the time. __________________ "I ain't no mechanic, my posts should make that obvious, I'm jus doin my best with what I got."

10-12-2013, 02:44 PM	#5
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,705	Re: Troubleshooting gas gauge problem With your model earth one side of the gauge and the needle should go from full back to MT ,Run a wire around the out side gauge to sender .Earth/ground the sender , __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,

10-12-2013, 06:05 PM	#6
ole_Bill Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 70	Re: Troubleshooting gas gauge problem Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the tip. I understand what you are saying but never heard of the term MT before. Must be a kiwi thing. Again, thanks. __________________ "I ain't no mechanic, my posts should make that obvious, I'm jus doin my best with what I got."

10-12-2013, 08:04 PM	#7
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,951	Re: Troubleshooting gas gauge problem MT is also what you write on empty welding tanks.

10-12-2013, 08:14 PM	#8
41ford1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ManchVegas, New Hampshah Posts: 1,589	Re: Troubleshooting gas gauge problem It should read a little below empty(or MT) with the ignition switch off. If it reads full all the time, powered or not, the gauge unit is dead or live all the time and shorted on the signal side. Disconnect both terminals at the gauge to see if it goes to to empty. If it does you need to find a wiring problem. __________________ You are never to old to enjoy your childhood. Forty1fordpickup on the HAMB.