Need Help With Fuel Gauge Issue =/

[stagea_1998]

so basically im just unsure of two possible problems here and was hoping someone could point me in the right direction

I've got a c34 stagea and for the past 2 weeks my gauge hasn't been able to read higher than half way when i fill up
so i opened up the tank and pulled the float assembly out and moved it manually to see where the gauge needle landed and what i got was:

float at full position = gauge just over half

float at half way = gauge at 1/4
float at empty position = gauge at empty

so i was wondering two things....(1) faulty gauge?? or (2) faulty sender unit??
or other??

appreciate any help on this one guys =]

[Ben C34]

I would try bridging the level sensor wires, I think if gauge is ok bridging word would cause it to read full.

[89CAL]

Yeah if its just a 2 pin plug then either bridging it or opening it will send the gauge full. I'd say it needs 100% voltage to read full on the gauge

If its 3 pin then you will have a power, ground and signal. Joining power directly to signal should give you full gauge

IMPORTANT: Be very very very careful bridging wires near the fuel tank. Fuel vapours, spark..... These are the things that cause explosions in combustion chambers

[scotty nm35]

You should really post in the Stagea section, owners there are more likely to know there are two level senders in a Stagea fuel tank.

Check the other side once the tank is empty next, and make sure you replace any Orings.

[stagea_1998]

I would try bridging the level sensor wires, I think if gauge is ok bridging word would cause it to read full.

Yeah if its just a 2 pin plug then either bridging it or opening it will send the gauge full. I'd say it needs 100% voltage to read full on the gauge

If its 3 pin then you will have a power, ground and signal. Joining power directly to signal should give you full gauge

IMPORTANT: Be very very very careful bridging wires near the fuel tank. Fuel vapours, spark..... These are the things that cause explosions in combustion chambers

ohh yea cheers guys ill give that one a shot after work this afternoon

haha yes things that can make the car go boom.....easy enough to play it safe i can keep the tank sealed and have the plugs disconnected, ill let you know if i make it out alive

You should really post in the Stagea section, owners there are more likely to know there are two level senders in a Stagea fuel tank.

Check the other side once the tank is empty next, and make sure you replace any Orings.

yea i was thinking to but i figured this could be a pretty generic issue and id be likely to get more reply's over here

thanks for the heads up though ,will do if i dont have it figured by this weekend

[89CAL]

You should really post in the Stagea section, owners there are more likely to know there are two level senders in a Stagea fuel tank.

Check the other side once the tank is empty next, and make sure you replace any Orings.

Really?

Is this for more accurate fuel readings when turning corners etc?

[Ben C34]

I think that might be wacky m35 stagea thing!

[stagea_1998]

ok so i took some advice off you guys and the gauge seems to be fine..... heres a few things that i came up with

(1). if i short the signal wire to ground i get the gauge reading at full (low resistance means full)

(2). and if i leave an open circuit between signal wire and ground i get the gauge reading dead empty (higher resistance means empty)

(3). between the terminals attached to the sender im getting a reading of 53 OHM's...tank is about half full at the moment.

quick little explanation:

http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx202/Jalalladin_Mohammad/fuel_zpsc1eba111.png

so now i suppose i move on to one of two things...... can the sender be fixed or where can i get a replacement??

[Ben C34]

Good work! I don't think it would be viable to repair the sender, start looking for another if you find 2 let me know cos I also want one to modify how my fuel pump word are run through the lid. I haven't been looking hard though.

Edited October 12, 2013 by superben

[stagea_1998]

Good work! I don't think it would be viable to repair the sender, start looking for another if you find 2 let me know cos I also want one to modify how my fuel pump word are run through the lid. I haven't been looking hard though.

id say so....well at least i know where fault is now thanks guys

haha yea ill start looking around and if i do find 2 ill drop you a PM mate

[stagea_1998]

so i havnt been able to track down a new sender after about a week....didnt try very hard either
but i did manage to find the problem ....so just if any one was curious

if you look at the image in the link below, where ive drawn the "red arrow" that part of the arm for the contact was touching the PCB so so slightly but enough obviously to mess up all my readings and blah blah give a wrong reading on the gauge

http://i756.photobucket.com/albums/xx202/Jalalladin_Mohammad/arm_zpsc3b0f902.jpg

happy with that result, i saved myself a few dollars