MYBLUEHEAVEN

Still working my way through the bugs in my new '65. Latest problem is gas gauge reads 1/4 when tank full and empty when tank is empty. Any way to test the gauge and how do you start on testing the sender?

swissie

as this is a common problem you will find lots of threads on this in the archive

JOliver

my money is on the sending unit being bad

Tschim

I have a similar problem, when the car is off the guage shows about 1/8 of a tank regardless of how much fuel is in the tank. When I put the key in and turn it on or start it up the guage goes from 1/8 to empty and stays there while driving, regardless of how much fuel is in the tank. Any ideas and what is the procedure to fix it. I used the search function to look for past threads but only found 2. Thanks

Formula Outlaw

The gas guage on my car is the only guage that does not work perfect. It reads between 7/8s and past full.

I've learned to look in the tank to check gas level....

Donald #31176

In the Feb 2006 "Corvette Enthusiast" edition, John Hinkley wrote a comprehensive article on troubleshooting C-2 fuel gauge and sender system.
You can get backissues at (800) 448 3611.

66BBDriver

When I got a brand new '66 the gas gauge was off----every c-2 I have had the gas gauge has been off high or low---carry a stick-- Firedog

LouieM

Only too true!

Geek's 65

Do you have a ohm meter? Pull the wires off the sender's S and I posts (tan (S) and black/pink (I) wires). Connect the meter to the sender's S and I posts. When the tank is empty it will read 0 to 3 ohms or there about. When the tank is full (you should be able to reach in and raise the float arm with a wire) it should read 90 ohms. When you raise and lower the float arm, you should be able to see the resistance change from 0 to 90. If that is OK, then remove the meter lead from the S post (where the tan wire was) and ground it. So you are reading the I post to ground. It should read 90 ohms or so. Move the lead from the I post over to the S post leaving the other meter lead connected to ground. Now you are reading from the S post to ground. With the tank empty, it should read 90 ohms. Wth the tank full it should read ground. My guess is one of these measurements is way off and that's what is messing up your gauge reading.

Geek

Grey Ghost

When I re-installed my new gas gauge. I had the wires reversed on the gauge. It would read nearly empty instead of full. Just thought I would mention it to make sure your wires are on the correct terminals.

TJefferson2020

I'm not the only one!!

magicv8

Mine works perfectly - 18 years now.

Drain the tank. Pull the sender. Clean the resistor wire with a scotch pad, and check the gauge settings while it's out of the tank. If cleaning doesn't do it you have to replace the sender.

If you decide to replace it, be careful to check the repop before you install it. There were a lot of defective repop senders made a few years back.

Panhead

Not meaning to highjack but my gas gauge has starting acting erratic jumping between 3/4 and 1/4, the needle is never still, checked cluster ground and it's good, suggestions?

7vettes

Same thing happened to me with a brand new '65 L76. I'd only had the car a couple of months and was heading north on I-26 out of Columbia, S.C. and in the middle of nowhere the engine started sputtering/splattering. I coasted to a stop.

The gauge was reading around a half tank but when I looked in the tank it was bone dry.

It's a good thing they made the tank easy to look into because every C2 I've had has had the same problem.

Geek's 65

Make sure the contacts back on the sender are making good connection. If they are then check the rear wiring connector behind the driver's side kickpanel and make sure those are clean and tight. If they are, then run the same resistance test on the sender and see if it smoothly changes resistance as you move it. If it doesn't then I would try the MagicV8 cleaning routine.

alps66

I found out early-on that my gas guage didn't work. On the day that purchased the car, I was two doors away from home when it sputtered and died (uphill to my driveway on an icy road, so I couldn't push it). Talk about your panic attack! Having just written a BIG check, was I ever PO'd! Once I calmed down and thought it through, I realized that I'd run out of gas. I filled it up, and prayed that the marginal battery would have enough life (after repeated cranking on empty) to bring the engine back to life. It did. But no matter how far I drove, I always had at least 1/4 of a tank by the guage. The stick method worked well until I ultimately replaced the sender. The guage has been accurate ever since.

Grey Ghost

I reset my odometer each time I fill up. I refuel @ 180 miles with a couple of gallons still in the tank. Even with my new guage, it registers 1/4 off it seems.

66BBDriver

If I came up with a custom made Corvette gas tank calibrated stick, do you think I could sell them on E-Bay??? I could use some cash for parts. Firedog

Driver 61

Geek,
Does this test apply to a C1? I have a '61
Thanks Rich

327Heaven

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