The Ford Barn

Alan O'Connell · 10-23-2018, 08:07 AM

I recently wired my 36. When I flip the ignition switch the needles on the fuel and oil gauge slowly rise up to the top of the gauges. There is very little gas in the tank and the oil gauge shouldn't move until the engine is running. I wired the car the same as I wired the 35 with the exception of the gas gauge. I disconnected the wire from the fuel tank sending unit and the oil sending unit. The needles still rise when the ignition switch is on. I'm thinking that the insulating paper on the back of the gauges might be failing. Before I take the gauge out, are there any other things I should check?

koates · 10-23-2018, 07:13 PM

Alan, I just tested a NOS 36 fuel gauge I have and with the sender wire not connected but power on the ignition supply terminal then the gauge does not rise. The sender terminal has to be grounded for the gauge to rise. I think you are right that the insulator on the sender terminal is faulty allowing the sender terminal to be connected to the gauge metal housing. Strange that both gauges are the same. Maybe someone has messed with them before. You will have to remove them from the dash for further investigation. Regards, Kevin.

koates · 11-22-2018, 01:40 AM

Alan, just wondering if you were able to sort your gauge problem out ? Its always good to get some feedback when help is offered. Regards, Kevin.

Alan O'Connell · 01-04-2019, 05:37 PM

This is a belated answer but someone put washers between the insulator and the gauge. That's why the gauges went to the top. They were both grounded.

JSeery · 01-04-2019, 08:51 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan O'Connell

This is a belated answer but someone put washers between the insulator and the gauge. That's why the gauges went to the top. They were both grounded.

That would do it!

10-23-2018, 08:07 AM	#1
Alan O'Connell Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Peabody, MA Posts: 471	1936 Fuel and oil gauge issue I recently wired my 36. When I flip the ignition switch the needles on the fuel and oil gauge slowly rise up to the top of the gauges. There is very little gas in the tank and the oil gauge shouldn't move until the engine is running. I wired the car the same as I wired the 35 with the exception of the gas gauge. I disconnected the wire from the fuel tank sending unit and the oil sending unit. The needles still rise when the ignition switch is on. I'm thinking that the insulating paper on the back of the gauges might be failing. Before I take the gauge out, are there any other things I should check?

10-23-2018, 07:13 PM	#2
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,079	Re: 1936 Fuel and oil gauge issue Alan, I just tested a NOS 36 fuel gauge I have and with the sender wire not connected but power on the ignition supply terminal then the gauge does not rise. The sender terminal has to be grounded for the gauge to rise. I think you are right that the insulator on the sender terminal is faulty allowing the sender terminal to be connected to the gauge metal housing. Strange that both gauges are the same. Maybe someone has messed with them before. You will have to remove them from the dash for further investigation. Regards, Kevin.

11-22-2018, 01:40 AM	#3
koates Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Melbourne Australia. Posts: 2,079	Re: 1936 Fuel and oil gauge issue Alan, just wondering if you were able to sort your gauge problem out ? Its always good to get some feedback when help is offered. Regards, Kevin.

01-04-2019, 05:37 PM	#4
Alan O'Connell Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Peabody, MA Posts: 471	Re: 1936 Fuel and oil gauge issue This is a belated answer but someone put washers between the insulator and the gauge. That's why the gauges went to the top. They were both grounded.