Fuel gauge/temp gauge problems

[Trev]

My fuel level gauge and my temp gauge do not work. Actually, my fuel gauge completely doesn't work, but the temp gauge barely moves up on the gauge. I've replaced the t-stat and antifreeze and still the same problem.

I took out the sending unit and inspected it but visually nothing wrong. Is there anyway I can test this? Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks, Trev

[takza]

Use an ohm meter? Probably something in the FSM top of the page? Might check the connector...mine was lose...snug it up?

[scouttster]

On the sending unit, there is a little raised bump on the stainless steel feeler finger. Usually the raised bump gets worn away over time. This raised bump rubs or feels on the accordian type winding. The two making contact indicates the fuel level.

My sending unit was broken too.

The Winding:
I took an ohm meter to it and didnt get anything out of it... I figured the electronics were shot. I put it away for another day.. Then went back to it in bright sunlight and noticed a heavy TARNISH all over the winding. I sanded it a bit here and there and my ohm meter started beeping.. Your winding may be heavily tarnished.

The Feeler Arm:
As said before, the raised bump wears down over time.. Take some small pliers and bend the finger back on itself. Work at it with pliers and manipulate a new finger from what you have to work with.. I did this, and it works well for me.
Good Luck

[danzo]

Before taking apart the temp guage make sure it really is reading incorrectly. Just point a laser pyrometer at the housing where the gauge sender is (same housing as the TVSV), when warm it should read about what your t-stat is rated at. If you're sans pyro, then a mechanical temp gauge sender will screw directly into the TVSV port (or at least mine does). It is possible that your coolant is too cool, which was the case with my car (heater didn't blow hot), the fix was a working t-stat.

If your gas gauge tests OK, then you can simply adjust the sending unit. Just bend the 'float arm' until it reads correctly, which you can do with the key on as you sit in the hatch area watching the gauge move.

I think there are threads on both of these fixes if you need more help. Good luck.

[Petros]

I seem to remember a simple test for the temp gauge, and fuel gauge, is to just ground the wire (unplugged from the sensor), and the gauge should go to "full" or the top of the range. That will tell you if the gauge is working, or if it is the sensor.

[Trev]

Well I fixed the temp gauge! I went to the junk yard (two of them) and only one had 1 of these cars. I looked at it for at least half an hour, and went to work grabbing parts. I came out with, temp sending unit, fuses, clutch cable, and some small electronic stuff...for $3. Replaced the temp sending unit and my gauge bounced up to a normal reading (replaced it when my car was hot then turned the key on. I knew something was funky because when I was driving it would stay really low and bounch a little every so often.

I took apart the sending unit at the yard to get a feel for what I was doing. I accidentally bent that arm so its probably not good anymore.

I took mine apart, and its still not doing nothing. I think I will try grounding the wire and see what happens. I think I'm going to take a jumper wire from where the sending unit is, and figure out which is the ground then ground it and see what the gauge at the dash says. The wires could also be damaged from the sending unit to the gauge also. Never know.

Gotta say I love this car!

Thanks

[Trev]

Success!!!

Fuel gauge now works. I used 600 grit sand paper and carefully sanded some crap off. Then, I bent the little arm over so it was touching then put it back together. Turned the key on and it started to rise! Awesome! Gotta love fixing stuff for free.

And, my car rolled over to 252k miles today. What a great day!

[takza]

Here are your awards...you have to choose just one though...hard choice...eh?

[Trev]

haha! Thats awesome! I choose the top one!