Looking for 83 SR5 Fuel Gauge

[wildkyle55]

My poor '83 AWD SR5 Tercel's fuel gauge has stopped working, and I'm looking for working replacement. Ideally I would rather not have to get something universal or aftermarket and retro-fit. I'm hoping that someone on here can either help me out, or point me in the direction that I will have more luck. Thanks so much, in advance!! :3

[irowiki]

You probably need to clean the fuel sender!

[dlb]

welcome to the forum, wildkyle.

does your current gauge read inaccurately, or not at all? there are a few ways to test whether the gauge, wiring, or fuel level sender are the culprit. here are the tests:

thanks to the OP, i decided to do mine today. Fuel level has always shown slightly above empty ( i just got the car and it has a full tank)

On the 4wd wagon, the sensor is right next to the spare tire, to the right. No need to mess with the seats or anything. Just open the hatch and pull up the carpet

I pulled out the sender and cleaned it. It looks like the wiper had worn itself down and wasnt making very good contact. I bent it as best I could and now it reads 1/2 tank, thought its possible i've burned a 1/2 tank while working on it. All in all, a very easy thing to try and fix.

As a side note, to those wanting to test their gauge cluster. If you jumper the two outside wires of the harness (pins 1 and 3), this causes the the gauge to try to read full tank. If your gauge does not move, it means the wiring or the gauge is bad. If it maxes out, the gauge is fine and the sender is the problem. Pins 2 and 3 (or 1 and 2, depending how you look at it)
will trigger the gas light. Try this for a second to see if the bulb and wiring works if you dont think the gas light works.

Thanks to the OP for attempting this first

i lifted that from this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2346

[wildkyle55]

I have cleaned, adjusted, and tested the sender with an ohm-meter standalone, as well as used a hair and hound, in combination with resistance checks to make sure my wiring is okay. It unfortunately does appear to be the gauge itself that is the problem. Upon removing the cluster, I found that it could be disassembled, and so I carefully took it apart to see if there was anything out of place or just in need of lubrication after all of these years. Sadly no lubrication or connection cleaning was able to remedy this issue, The signs do all seem to be pointing to a bad gauge in the cluster.

[Gottolovem]

I can send you an entire new cluster?

[wildkyle55]

As long as it is the SR5 cluster, and fits the 83 Wagon, then I see no issue in replacing the entire cluster. I just can't afford to lose my tachometer, I use it far too frequently when searching for gears.

[Gottolovem]

I have both
obviously the odometer will not read the same

[wildkyle55]

I'm not worried about the odometer, I'll just take my number, and math it with yours when I need to know mileage. Or get out the ol' power drill and wind it till it matches, whichever seem easiest at the time. And can you give images? I just want to make sure it's the correct cluster before I get too excited about having a functional fuel gauge again.

[Gottolovem]

yes on photos
later tonight i'll be home

[wildkyle55]

Thank you, very much!

[Gottolovem]

This cluster sitting on the work bench, is the one I tried to turn back the odometer on with little success. Ended up breaking the tiny little brittle plastic tab holding the wheel.I glued the wheel back in place and I'm sure it will work with no issues $30.00 plus shipping

20150517_200934.jpg

The other cluster is still in a parts car I picked up because the front end was smashed. There's no reason to think the cluster doesn't work fine $50.00 plus shipping

20150517_195947.jpg

[wildkyle55]

Sent you a PM, if you didn't get it, It is likely that I was confused by the interface, and I can try to contact you by another method of your choice. :3

[dlb]

i love the older clusters with the lower top speeds on them. makes me feel like i'm driving faster when the needle is so far to the right, haha.

[irowiki]

I'd take the "broken" one and just swap the fuel sender over... or swap the odometer assembly over!

[dlb]

I'd take the "broken" one and just swap the fuel sender over

agreed