fuel and temp gauge

[ram250098]

I grounded the fuel gauge and got no reading at all, I guess the next step is to ground the instrument panel? or go right for the voltage limiter.
Thanks
AL

 

[Meep-Meep]

Yes, a faulty ground on the cluster will give erratic readings or nothing at all. Limiter could be an issue too but I'd start with the ground.

 

[ram250098]

Thanks, can the cluster be grounded to anywhere or is there a spot on the printed panel that it must be connected to?
Thanks again Meep
AL

 

[Meep-Meep]

You might have to study it to see how the factory did it but any place there is solid metal should do it. Even if you have to run a separate wire to another location will help.

Regarding the voltage limiter. I made one for my 68 Mustang years ago (yes, I have Fords too) out of a 5 volt regulator from Radio Shack. I followed the schematic for the adjustable circuit and once I got it dialed in I just left it and never had an issue. I think someone else posted something about that here a while back.

 

[ram250098]

Ahh radio shack is there anything they don't have LOL I buddy has a spare he is going to give me, I tried grounding the cluster and didn't seem to work so I am hoping it is the limiter.
Thanks again.
AL

 

[prhousejr]

grounds, grounds, grounds...... I have found with my car 1968 satellite, every problem has been grounds..... gauges, interior lights, exterior lights, tail/head lights, all electrical...... GROUNDS..... The whole damn car is one big GIANT ground, lol..... Sand paper, pb blaster or wd 40 are the best tools. the number one prob i have found is corrosion and the lack of a connection.... just my thoughts......

 

[Patrick]

With the gas gauge the sending is the ground. So you need to make sure its getting power, if it is and don't move with a direct ground the gauge is bad. If no power you have to trace from the fuse box to the gauge to fix it, a test light is your best friend. Now if the gauge has power and moves with a direct ground you have to trace the sending unit wire from the tank to the gauge. If your test ground at the tank was good and the rest of your dash works you need a gauge.

 

[ram250098]

I bought a new Plymouth after market gauge and tested it to make sure it works. I hooked everything up and nothing on the gauge.
Now with the blue wire from the sending unit I put right to the gauge and got no reading. I hooked the wire back up the way it was and spliced into it and got the gauge to read half. I added 5 gallons of gas and the sender still reads half. Could the sending unit be stuck at half our is the wiring play tricks with the gauge?
The gauge is grounded and has power to it. I even tried a separate ground on the sender and still got nothing..so I guess the sender is bad?
Thanks
AL