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Old 06-07-2018, 12:50 PM
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Default 69 firebird gas gauge

The first time i filled the tank up it went to the full mark and hasn't moved since. Is there a way to check this without dropping the tank. I did check the ground and that looks good

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Old 06-07-2018, 01:24 PM
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Is the gauge needle at the regular spot past just past full or pinned way past full?

If it's in the normal spot it is probably the sender is stuck. Give the bottom of the tank a good pounding, it may shake it loose

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Old 06-07-2018, 01:44 PM
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I'll give that a try, thanks

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Old 06-07-2018, 01:49 PM
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This is a common problem when a car hasn't been used for a several years, sometimes just driving it (fill it up every 100 miles) will get things all back to normal, especially if you fill it often so the gas can break down the gunk that may be holding it in place.

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Old 06-07-2018, 08:09 PM
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In the trunk near the trunk latch is a connector with a single wire, you will see the wire if you open the fuel door, trace it to the connector. If it is open circuit (high resistance) the gauge will read full. Low resistance,(grounded) it will read empty.

Disconnect the wire and ground the end of the wire going the dash. Turn on the key and the gauge should drop to empty. disconnect wire from ground and it should read full. If it does (most likely will) you have a open circuit in the sender, wire to the tank from that connector, or bad tank ground.

Dave


Last edited by necdb3; 06-07-2018 at 08:36 PM.
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Old 10-25-2018, 07:56 PM
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I tried grounding the wire to the gauge thats in the trunk and it did nothing. Is there anything else that i missed?

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Old 10-26-2018, 03:55 PM
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Take a volt meter with the key on and measure voltage at the same side (going to the dash). If there is no voltage present, you need to move toward the gauge and find the open.

Make sure the fuse isn't blown.

The gauges usually don't fail but not impossible.

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Old 10-26-2018, 08:26 PM
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this sounds dumb but where is the fuse for the gauge

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Old 10-27-2018, 06:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob in NH View Post
this sounds dumb but where is the fuse for the gauge
Fuse panel under the dash.

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Old 10-27-2018, 07:13 PM
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i know about that one, would you know which fuse it is on the panel. not marked very well

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Old 10-27-2018, 09:50 PM
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Default Testing a GM car fuel gauge.

This book was distributed to the car dealerships around 1968-1969. It will apply to those two years as well as into the 1970s; all GM cars and trucks.
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Old 10-28-2018, 08:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob in NH View Post
i know about that one, would you know which fuse it is on the panel. not marked very well
Take your volt meter across all the fuses with the key on.

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Old 10-28-2018, 03:36 PM
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Default Fuse block

There is a fuse in the block marked "gauges." It will be a 10 amp fuse.
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Old 11-03-2019, 09:48 AM
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Finally had some time to check the wiring and that seams to be good, sender is good so I guess its time for a new gauge. Any recommendations on who to get it from?

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Old 11-03-2019, 08:40 PM
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I have parts here but I need to know first. Does your car have regular gauges as in a Fuel gauge with red lights for low oil pressure, coolant temperature overheat and Alternator not charging?

Or do you have rally gauges. Fuel gauge is specific to each one.

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Old 11-03-2019, 08:44 PM
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Fuel gauge with red lights.

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Old 11-03-2019, 09:38 PM
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I have a good used (GM) one of those gauges here, you can PM me.

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Old 11-15-2019, 10:24 AM
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Mine does same thing. I thought it was electrical but I'm convinced it just sticks. Usually will start working between 1/2 and 3/4 tank. I figure float sticks when it raises to top and then at some point drops. For a while I tried not filling tank all the way hoping it wouldn't stick but it did always does any way. Now I just deal with it. I don't drive enough miles that I am ever worried about running out of gas. The tank is due to be replaced to I'' just deal with it till new tank and sending unit.

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Old 11-16-2019, 09:17 AM
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LOL now mine has stopped working!!!!

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  #20  
Old 11-23-2019, 06:51 PM
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I think the wiring is messed up, new gauge went right to full and stayed there. Put the parking lights on and the gauge went back to empty. I hate wiring problems.

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